As higher education undergoes rapid global change universities must redefine their role in shaping the future. At Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, this means going beyond academic excellence to cultivate ethical leadership, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a strong commitment to the common good.

 

In this conversation, Rector Elena Beccalli shares her vision for the University’s future: embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) with responsibility, expanding global partnerships, and equipping students with the knowledge and values to drive meaningful change. She discusses how Università Cattolica is not just responding to transformation but actively shaping the solutions that will define the coming decades – through pioneering research, internationalisation, and an unwavering focus on human-centred education.

 

These are pivotal times to lead a higher education institution, especially as the world is experiencing rapid technological, social, and environmental changes. How do you see Università Cattolica contributing to answering the questions that will shape the coming decade and beyond? 

At Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, we see education as a force for societal transformation. Our goal is not simply to be among the best universities in the world, but to be the best for the world – a place where knowledge serves the common good and shapes a more just, sustainable future.

This commitment drives our approach to today’s major challenges. Through interdisciplinary research, ethical leadership, and global engagement, we prepare students not just to adapt to change, but to lead it with responsibility and vision.

One key initiative is our Educational Pact for Artificial Intelligence, which ensures that AI enhances human judgment rather than replacing it. Additionally, our Africa Plan expands educational access in underserved regions, fostering knowledge exchange and opportunity on a global scale.

Beyond career preparation, we believe universities must cultivate critical thinkers and ethical leaders. Through rigorous research, inclusive education, and international collaboration, Università Cattolica is not only responding to today’s questions – it is shaping the answers that will define the decades ahead.

 

In a recent interview, you have emphasised interdisciplinarity and innovation as central to Università Cattolica’s mission. How do you foster dialogue between disciplines to address today’s complex challenges?

Interdisciplinarity is central to our mission, ensuring that academic fields collaborate to tackle complex global challenges. We integrate diverse disciplines through initiatives such as research hubs and cross-faculty projects. To strengthen research collaboration, we invest in cross-faculty research hubs tackling societal challenges.

We also participate in SACRU, a global network of Catholic universities, to foster international research collaborations. 

More than structural changes, fostering interdisciplinarity requires a mindset shift. We encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration so that students and faculty can navigate complexity with a broad yet integrated vision.

 

Internationalisation is a core part of Università Cattolica’s vision. How does global engagement enhance the University’s mission?

Our network spans over 600 partner institutions in 82 countries, offering students opportunities for exchanges, double-degree programmes, international internships, and service-learning projects. These experiences are not just add-ons; they are essential in preparing students to think critically, collaborate across borders, and address global challenges with a multidisciplinary approach.

Beyond student mobility, our international engagement strengthens research innovation. Through strategic alliances – such as our leadership in the SACRU network – our faculty and researchers collaborate on pressing issues, from sustainability and bioethics to digital transformation and social justice.
By fostering deep academic and cultural exchange, we ensure that Università Cattolica is not merely present on the global stage. It plays an active role in shaping the discourses and solutions that define our shared future.

 

Artificial Intelligence is disrupting the higher education sector as well. How do you see Università Cattolica adapting to these changes and maintaining its relevance in this new AI era?

AI is reshaping how we teach, learn, and conduct research. At Università Cattolica, we aim to guide this transformation responsibly, ensuring technology serves human development rather than replacing it.

Our Educational Pact for AI integrates AI into education in a way that upholds intellectual integrity and human dignity. We are exploring AI-driven personalised learning, enhanced research methodologies, and accessibility improvements while addressing risks such as bias and misinformation.

We also serve as a hub for interdisciplinary AI research, bringing together philosophers, ethicists, data scientists, and social scientists to shape a responsible technological future.

Beyond technical expertise, we prepare students to thrive in an AI-driven world with critical thinking, ethical responsibility, and a commitment to social good.

 
At Università Cattolica, we believe our graduates are not just graduates – they are global changemakers. Whether studying medicine, business, education, or humanities, we see their contributions as drivers of positive change. How do you envision the impact of our graduates in the world, and how do you see Università Cattolica fostering this role?

Indeed, our graduates are more than professionals – they are leaders, innovators, and ethical changemakers. Education at Università Cattolica is not just about knowledge acquisition but about learning how to serve society.

To cultivate this impact, we focus on:

• Values-Based Education – Rooted in Catholic social thought, we ensure that graduates lead with integrity and a commitment to the common good.
   
• Real-World Experience – Through internships, service learning, and research projects, students tackle societal challenges before they graduate.
   
• A Global Perspective – Our network of over 600 partner universities and initiatives like the Africa Plan encourage students to think beyond borders and collaborate on global solutions.

Most importantly, we instil a lifelong responsibility. Our graduates step into the world not just to succeed, but to make a difference, knowing that their education is a foundation for continuous growth, ethical action, and meaningful change.