The American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) was invited to present its case study, “Responsive and Responsible University: An AIUB Case Study,” at the international program “Leading Catholic Universities in the 21st Century: An Action-Oriented Program for Senior Leaders of Catholic Universities,” held in Rome from 14–19 September 2026. The program brought together senior leaders of Catholic universities for discussions on the evolving role, responsibilities, leadership, quality, sustainability, and social impact of universities.

The program included sessions on the identity and changing mission of Catholic universities, quality frameworks, social responsibility and impact, sustainability, institutional alliances, emerging agendas in higher education, and contributions to impoverished and troubled communities. It also included visits and discussions with representatives of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and the Dicastery for Culture and Education, along with participation in a Papal Audience in St. Peter’s Square.

Representing AIUB, Prof. Dr. Farheen Hassan, SFHEA, Director, IQAC, and Ms. Nazia Farhana, Associate Professor and Additional Director, IQAC, delivered the presentation online from Bangladesh on 17 September 2026. The session focused on the operating characteristics of a socially responsive and responsible university, highlighting AIUB’s experience of connecting academic learning with meaningful community engagement.

The presentation featured AIUB’s Magna Charta Observatory (MCO)-supported Responsive and Responsible University initiative in Korail, one of Dhaka’s large informal settlements. The case highlighted interventions involving women, children, and adolescents, including housing improvements, community engagement, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the integration of empathy and social responsibility into students’ learning experiences.

The initiative demonstrated how university resources, academic disciplines, and community partnerships can be brought together to address real social challenges. The AIUB team shared how students and faculty from different disciplines contributed to practical interventions while developing greater understanding of community needs and social responsibility.

The session was introduced by David Lock, Secretary General of the Magna Charta Observatory, and moderated by Emeritus Professor John Davies from the United Kingdom. The AIUB case received strong appreciation from participants. David Lock conveyed the message that the case had particularly inspired members of his study group, who were mainly Rectors of Catholic universities from South America. He noted that participants were considering how similar approaches could be adapted to create impact within their own communities.

AIUB’s participation provided an opportunity to share its experience of responsible and community-responsive higher education with university leaders from different regions and to contribute an Asian perspective to an international dialogue on the evolving social role of universities.