Prophets of our times

Catholic universities are “the prophets of our times”, reminding the world of the “essence of Christianity, looking for truth and sharing it with others”. With these words, the rector of Catholic university of Ruzomberok, Prof. Tadeusz Zasepa, turned to all people of good will, inviting them to celebrate 29 January 2012 as a Sunday of Catholic University in Slovakia. His letter, written on this occasion, was read during holy masses in all Catholic churches of the country, based on tradition established by a special decree of the Bishops’conference from 2009, with aim to support Catholic education and its role within Slovak society.University shaping minds and hearts. The only Catholic university in Slovakia entered educational process in 2000 with two faculties, trying to fill an empty space caused by the decades of communist dictatorship in the country. Currently it has four faculties with 7754 students. “Our main aim is to shape their mind and heart, providing education in the spirit of Catholic moral, intellectual and academic tradition, for integral development of a man and for the good of whole society”, declares an official website of the institution. Catholic University in Ruzomberok follows general tradition of Catholic universities of the whole world, wanting to protect and support human dignity and cultural heritage, as well as answer arising challenges and problems on the base of Christian principles. University became a member of the Fédération des Universités Catholiques Européennes in 2007 and of the International Federation of Catholic Universities in 2010.Growth of quality. 109 faculties of Slovak public and private universities and colleges were subject to ranking in regard to quantity and quality of provided education by the Academic ranking and rating agency (ARRA), with results published by the end of 2011. Work of Catholic University in Ruzomberok was evaluated in four groups with very satisfying results. Faculty of Arts and Letters reached the 6th position among the faculties of philosophy. Faculty of Education is number 5, Faculty of Theology obtained the 4th position and Faculty of Health Care is number 10 among medical faculties in Slovakia. “We are very peased with continuous growth of quality of our individual faculties. Comparing to 2008, the Faculty of Theology improved its status by three ranks, Faculty of Education even by four ranks”, said the rector of Catholic university, prof. Tadeusz Zasepa, adding that improvements are the result of systematic work and efforts of all teachers and staff of Catholic University.Prayers and support. Slovak bishops realize that education provided by Catholic institutions offers unique chances also in the area of new evangelization. Prof. Tadeusz Zasepa remembered this fact in this year’s letter to all people of good will, expressing gratitude to the Bishops’ conference of Slovakia for appreciation of the “scientific and educational contribution of Catholic University in Ruzomberok” and for its attitude that is not limited only to the “role of a well-wishing observer”, but shows willingness to take adequate steps to ensure existence and “perspectives of further development” of the University. In this regard, the Sunday of Catholic University means an opportunity to pray for its mission, and to provide it also with other forms of support. Financial collection on this occasion will be used for building a University Library, due to be open on 12 December 2012, with total costs of 8,3 million euro (more than ¼ of this amount provided by donors). Actual state of the project can be followed via camera on the website www.kniznica.ku.sk.Credibility. Satisfaction of the graduates with selection of their field of study exceeds an average of Slovak universities (80,9%). According to the last report of the Institute of information and prognosis in education, 83,8% of the graduates of Catholic University are satisfied with their choice. According to its rector, this educational institution became “credible” in the eyes of its foreign partners and offers good ground for cooperation. Since July 2008 there have been signed up 28 new agreements about cooperation with distinguished partner universities in Northern Ireland, Denmark, Holland, Italy, Spain, Latvia, France, Germany, Turkey, Hungary, Poland and Czech republic. Special attention is paid to development of cooperation with Pontifical universities in several countries. The number of student and teacher’s international exchanges has rapidly grown up, as well as number of visiting pedagogists.School of society education. “Slovak society tries to answer its needs by itself and give this way an example of a mature, strong and internally firm society. Steeled in the hardship, in the spirit of sacrifice and altruistic service, that doesn’t only look for help from outside, it represents a great hope for the nation and the state. That’s why everything that – in this spirit of sacrifice and service – fills the history of young Catholic University, means an exquisite school of society education”, concludes the letter of its rector, inviting all people to come and see the premises of the University personally and meet those who contribute to shaping of minds and hearts of future generations.