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The international Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities (SACRU) launched its first-ever Summer School program in Portugal this year. ACU student Lima Atkar was one of 16 scholars to be offered a place.
PhD student Lima Atkar spends most of her days conducting research at ACU's Thomas More Law School. So when she was offered the chance to enrol in the inaugural SACRU Summer School, she jumped at the chance.
SACRU is a network of Catholic research universities that are committed to supporting excellence in research across the globe. Students at SACRU member universities can access a range of international study opportunities that connect them to a global network of scholars at partner institutions around the world.
In July this year, SACRU scholars travelled to the Universidade Católica Portuguesa for the inaugural SACRU Summer School, a two-week program called 'A New World Order: The Way Ahead Between Democracy and Authoritarian Challenges'.
"The program offered many insightful lectures, debates, activities and sightseeing which covered multiple areas of studies [including] politics, human rights [and] international institutions," says Lima, who is originally from Bangladesh.
"With my background in law, I found the Summer School's interdisciplinary approach immensely valuable, especially as it allowed me to learn from other disciplines - notably political theory.
"This reshaped my understanding of pressing contemporary issues such as authoritarianism and democratic backsliding, especially in the context of Bangladesh."
Lima, who received ACU funding to support her travels, also benefitted from the opportunity to interact with other PhD students and leading scholars from across the globe.
In addition to ACU and the Universidade Católica Portuguesa, SACRU members are Boston College (USA), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (Chile), Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Sophia University (Japan), Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (Italy), and Universitat Ramon Llull (Spain).
"I had had the opportunity to engage with experts and peers from a variety of disciplines, [including political science, psychology, linguistic, and philosophy, and cultures - other wonderful participants [came] from Europe, the USA and South America," she says.
"[This made the experience a] truly interdisciplinary and multicultural exchange. I am confident that the academic network I built during this summer school will play a momentous role in shaping my future endeavours in academia."
When she wasn't attending lectures and other learning activities, Lima made the most of her time in Lisbon, exploring historical sites including Sintra, The National Palace of Pina and the Belem Towers.
"The experience of participating in the SACRU Summer School and immersing myself in Portuguese culture was, in a word, 'iinesquecível' - unforgettable," she says.
"I highly recommend this exceptional summer school to any postgraduate students looking to enrich their professional and academic networks, as it serves as a valuable bridge to many future opportunities."
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