(ANS – Santiago) – In its programme for the celebration of the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco, the Silva Henriquez Catholic University (UCSH) has included an inter-disciplinary process of reflection, updating and adaptation of the Preventive System in the field of Higher Education as one of its main projects.

The Salesian University in Chile has taken up the suggestion of the Rector Major in preparation for the celebration of the Bicentenary of the birth of Don Bosco to study his  history, pedagogy and spirituality over a period of three years. A Commission has been set up chaired by the Vice-Rector’s Department for Student Development and  composed of lecturers from the three Faculties of the University (Education; Social, Juridical and Economic Studies; and Religious and Philosophical Studies), which since last March has been busy drawing up a programme, leading up to the celebration of the special Salesian event in 2015.

The Commission has focused especially on a project to be launched on August that would reflect the specific nature of a University Institution and contribute to the study and appreciation of Salesian Spirituality, in the footsteps of the Salesian Cardinal Silva Henríquez to whom the University is dedicated.

The Commission has identified three areas to be developed: The first a series of academic activities (research, studies, seminars, conferences and courses), aimed at adapting the Preventive System of Don Bosco to the field of Higher Education. The second to recover the patrimony of the identity of the University itself – for example collecting material on Cardinal Silva Henríquez and on the spread of Salesian work in Chile. The third a programme of activities to mark the celebration, artistic, cultural, sporting and religious, to be organised mainly by the Committee for Student Affairs and the University Chaplaincy.

Fernando Sandoval, a member of the Vice-Rector’s Department for Student Development and Coordinator of the Commission for the Bicentenary says that in this way the fundamental values of the UCSH will be reflected. “The Bicentenary of Don Bosco seems to us to be an ideal opportunity to focus again on our identity. In particular, this project based on the Preventive System has some novel elements aimed at adapting it to the area of Higher Studies, and taking our University forward and putting it at the heart of Don Bosco pedagogy. This could give a new impetus to the UCSH”.

Published 21/06/2012