Jesuit higher education in Europe and the Near East
The Kircher Network is a network made up of 28 higher education institutions, spread across Europe and the Near East.
It is named after Athanasius Kircher, a 17th-century Jesuit scholar recognized for his intellectual contributions in diverse fields such as theology, geology and medicine.
Unamur and the Kircher Network
The University of Namur became a member of the Kircher Network in 2019.
Each year, the Presidents, Rectors and Deans of member institutions meet at a General Assembly organized in turn by one of the members. The aim of these assemblies is to strengthen links between participants and define joint actions and projects.
July 2023: Kircher Network General Meeting at UNamur
In July 2023, to mark its membership of the Kircher Network, the University of Namur hosted the General Assembly. On this occasion, our Rector, Professor Annick Castiaux was elected as a member of the Kircher Network Council.
Picture caption: July 2023 - Group photo of the Kircher Network General Assembly at UNamur
Read our related article: UNamur welcomes the Kircher Network
At the General Assembly held in Bilbao (2024), our Rector gave a lecture on the impact of artificial intelligence on higher education.
Kircher Network projects and activities in which Unamur has been involved
Canisus training
This is an immersion program for teachers, administrators and staff at network partner institutions. It aims to offer a deeper understanding of Ignatian identity, Jesuit spirituality and the mission of higher education.
October 2024: Group photo of Canisius training participants in Vienna
BIP - Blended Intensive programmes
Within the Kircher Network, several training weeks in the form of blended intensive programmes have been organized in recent years.
In July 2023, in parallel with the Namur Assembly, the University of Namur organized a BIP on the theme of diversity and inclusion entitled "The challenges of Inclusion in Europe: the Contribution of Jesuit Higher Education".
From June 17 to 21, 2024, a BIP entitled "Transitions a New Paradigm: Meaningful Pedagogy for Engaged Citizens of the World" brought kircher network members together on the ICAM campus in Toulouse.