Escuela de Estudios
Orientales
"R.P. Ismael Quiles S.J."
History of the School of Oriental Studies
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Escuela de Estudios
Orientales
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 R.P. Ismael Quiles S.J. 1906 - 1993 |
The Rev. Father Ismael Quiles S. J., founder of the School of Oriental Studies, was born in Pedralba, Valencia (Spain), on July 4th 1906. In 1932 he arrived in Argentina, where he lived until his passing away on February 8th 1993.
In 1936 he was ordained a priest in the Jesuit Order and, in the same year, he graduated in Theology at San Miguel Faculty of Theology (province of Buenos Aires). He started his career as Professor of both History of Philosophy and Metaphysics at Collegium Maximum Sancti Joseph.
He supported in a decisive way the foundation of Universidad del Salvador, which has its roots in Instituto Superior de Filosofía, established on June 8th 1944. On December 8th 1959, as a result of the Government Decree 16,365 Universidad del Salvador was officially established as a private university.
Then, Rev. Father Ismael Quiles became Dean of the Faculty of Philosophy, Universidad del Salvador Rector (1966-1970), Pro Rector (1970-1974) and Emerit Rector (1990).
His scholarly work as philosopher took him to wield his profession at Georgetown University (USA), and at Internationale Akademie fur Philosophie im Furstentum (Liechtenstein). In 1987 he obtained the National Consecration Prize in Philosophy, and was appointed Doctor Honoris Causa in Universidad del Salvador, Universidad de Cuyo (Mendoza, Argentina) and Universidad Católica de Salta (Salta, Argentina).
His philosophic writings have run into 27 volumes, among them "La Persona Humana", "Antropología Filosófica Insistencial" and "Filosofía de la Educación Personalizada".
At the moment, there have been eight international conferences on "Filosofía Insistencial": Buenos Aires (1979, 1981, 1983, and 1994); Bamberg, Germany; (1986); Mexico (1990 and 1998); and Madrid and Valencia, Spains (1991).
It is worth mentioning his interest on Asian cultures and accordingly the beginning of a cultural dialogue with them. In the Prologue to his book "Buddhist Philosophy", Rev. Father Quiles expressed clearly the causes of his interest in Oriental Philosophy, after devoting more than twenty years to the study and teaching of Western Philosophy.
His words reverberate in our minds: "We feel neither discontent with Eastern Philosophy nor have any resentment with it. We greatly appreciate the cultural effort that the west has carried out... Anyway, we believe that a genuine search for wisdom requires a thorough analysis of human experience. Such search does not comprise only the West. We feel that it is essential to go beyond Western Thought and give a closer look at the rest of the World in order to have a deeper understanding of human experience".
The chance to unfold such wish came true thanks to UNESCO's major project "For the Mutual Appreciation of East and West Values" (1960-1961). It enabled Rev. Father Quiles to start a five years´ journey that took him to University of Tokyo's Institute of Oriental Studies as well as to famous universities in India, Indonesia and Taiwan.
In Japan he got in touch with Professor Hajime Nakamura, who allowed him to probe into University of Tokyo's Library. Rev. Father Quiles was amazed by the collections of sacred books and the chance of studying the fundamentals of Asian Philosophy through primary sources. He expressed at this time "Oriental Thought has nothing to envy the West". During those five years conducting research, his book "Buddhist Philosophy" took shape.
Both his in-depth study and the gathered learning drove him to establish a Center for Oriental Studies in Universidad del Salvador's Faculty of Philosophy. This Center started its activities holding conferences on "The Essence of Humankind according to Buddhism and Hinduism" and on "Buddhism and Hinduism compared to Christianity".
In 1967 the Center was promoted to the status of school and organized a five years degree that gave graduates the Licenciatura in Oriental Studies. In 1976 the School of Oriental Studies separated from the Faculty of Philosophy and since then it directly reports to the Rector.
A Research Center was created on May 30th 1973, which in 1980 became the Latin American Institute of Comparative Research on East and West (being its acronym in Spanish ILICOO). In late 1980 ILICOO published the first edition of the journal "East and West", that continues coming up quarterly to the present.
Rev. Father Ismael Quiles was Director of both the School of Oriental Studies and the ILICOO until his death on February 8th 1993.
In 1976 De Palma Printing Co. Presented the "East and West" collection, being Rev. Father Quiles' work "Mankind and Evolution according to Aurobindo and Theillard de Chardin" the first title in press.
In 1988 the Government of Japan conceded to Rev. Father Quiles the "Order of the Rising Sun with Gold Beams and hanging Ribbons", as a recognition to his scholarly work and promotion of Eastern Thought.
Many international personalities have visited the School of Oriental Studies lured by Rev. Father Quiles' prestige and by the innovative profile of such institution, a characteristic that goes up today.
Among these visits it is worth mentioning in 1981 Professor Sunna Kili (University of Istanbul, Turkey) and Dr. Arthur Basham (University of Canberra, Australia); in 1987 Professor Hidefuji Someda (University of Osaka, Japan); in 1991 His Excellency Rev. Father and Doctor Pietro Rossano and Dr. Susnihdis Dey (Nehru University, New Delhi, India), Father Boghos Levon Zekiyan (Rome University, Italy), and the Supreme Patriarch of Korea's Buddhist Order, Dr. Seo Kyung; and in 1992 the Dalai Lama (who received Universidad del Salvador Doctor Honoris Causa title) and Rev. Father J. Guerra S. J. (from China).
UNESCO's National Commission entrusted Father Quiles with the task of visiting Latin American countries in order to prepare an International Conference on Oriental Studies. He was appointed Chairman of this conference, which took place in Mar del Plata (province of Buenos Aires), in 1966.
Rev. Father Quiles pass away gave us the responsibility of continuing his work, during a time in which the study of Asian cultures upsurges, which in turn demonstrated Father Quiles' avant sight.
Since 1993 the School of Oriental Studies has been visited by Dr. Salman Kurshid, India's Minister of Foreign Relations; Venerable Master Seng Yen, founder of Taipei's Buddhist School Institute; Dr. Shimon Farja (University of Jerusalem); Professor Alona Kamn, Cultural Attaché to the Embassy of Israel; Dr. Flora Jersonsky-Margalit (University of Jerusalem); Swami Maheshanada (Lonlavla, India); Dr. Dina Porat (University of Tel Aviv); Professor Heinrich Beck (University of Bemberg, Germany); Professor Sholomo Abayu (Hebrew University of Jerusalem); Prof. Rosalía González Herrera (University of Murcia -Spain); Prof. Josef Seifert (Liechtenstein's International Academy of Philosophy); Prof. Boubacar Traore (University of Dakar -Senegal-); Prof. Diana Yue (University of Hong Kong); and Dr. Adolph D. Roitman (University of Jerusalem).
In 1996, according to Rector Resolution 297/96, a new Study Plan for the Degree in Oriental Studies was approved, to which Contemporary History of Asia and International Relations of Asia were added as subjects.
In 1997, the School of Oriental Studies celebrated its thirtieth anniversary, and on that occasion Dr. Juan Alejandro Tobías, Rector of Universidad del Salvador, announced the naming of the School as "Rev. Father Ismael Quiles S.J.".
During that year the School organized a Seminar in which Asian Ambassadors gave the main lectures. We were visited by the Undersecretary of State for International Economic Negotiations, Ambassador Eduardo Sadous; the Ambassador of the Malaysian Federation, Dr. Dennis Ignatius; the Ambassador of the Republic of India, Dr. Niggam Prakash; the Ambassador of the Peoples Republic of China, Dr. Tang Yonggui; and the Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines, Dr. Carlos A. Villa Abrille. The Vice-Rector of the University of Malaya, Dr. Osman Bakar, also visited the School.
In 1998, the Ambassador of Armenia, Vahan Ter Ghevondian, Monsignor Kissag Mouradian and Monsignor Néstor Villa, paid us visit in order to celebrate the beginning of both the academic term and the dictation of the subject Armenian History and Religion.
The School was invited by Dr. Guillermo Alchouron, President of the Okita Foundation and Chairman of the "Centennial Commission" (the latter established to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Argentine-Japanese Diplomatic Relations), to join the activities celebrating the above-mentioned event. Accordingly, the School organized a Seminar called "Argentina and Japan Towards the 21st Century", with the lectures of Professor Norma Yokohama de Montelatici, Professor Carlos M. Rúa, Ambassador Eduardo Sadous, Professor Raúl Oller and Professor Jorge Malena. As a consequence, Professor Luisa R. Rosell, Directress of the School of Oriental Studies, was invited in September 1998 to meet Prince and Princess Akishimo from Japan in their visit to Argentina. She was also requested to integrate the official delegation that visited Japan led by President Carlos Menem.
Likewise, during 1998 and 1999, the School of Oriental Studies took part in the meetings held by the National Commission for the Asia Pacific (CONAPAC) as representative of Argentina's academic sector linked to Asia.
On the occasion of the presence in Argentina of Hon. Timothy Andrew Fisher, Australia's Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Trade, Universidad del Salvador granted him the title of Honorarium Professor, as a result of the School of Oriental Studies recommendation on this matter to the Rector.
In December 1998 Professor Gonzalo Paz represented the School in the International Seminar "Interdependence in Asia Pacific: A Multidisciplinary Perspective", organized in Stockholm by the Swedish Institute of International Relations and the Center for Pacific Studies of Stockholm University.
In February 1999 Professor Jorge Malena took part in the official delegation to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the Lao Democratic Peoples Republic, and the Union of Myanmar, due Ambassador Eduardo Sadous invitation. Directress of the School, Professor Luisa Rosell appointed Professor Malena representative of the academic unit, through Resolution 1/99. In Hanoi Professor Malena participated in the meetings of the Argentine-Vietnamese Joint Commission and visited Vietnamese universities. In Vientiane and Rangoon Professor Malena also held talks with scholars, in order to further develop academic ties.
As regards the activities undertaken by CONAPAC, in October 1999 Professor Gonzalo Paz took part in PECC´s 13th General Meeting in Manila. On the occasion, Professor Paz visited Ateneo de Manila University which has a Cooperation Agreement with Salvador University.
During 1999, the School was visited by the following scholars: on April 26th, Dr. Mohammed Abu Bakar, International Studies Programs Coordinator (Malaya University); on June 22nd, Mr. Narciso Binayan Carmona, theoretician and journalist; on June 28th, Professor Dr. Ashis Gupta (University of Calgary -Canada); on August 24th, Professor Shimon Farja (University of Haifa -Israel); on August 26th, Dr. Manohar L. Garothe (Lonlava, India), to introduce the book "A Light for the Hatha Yoga", by Dr. Alicia B. Souto (Professor of Universidad del Salvador's School of Oriental Studies); on September 28th, Dr. Won-ho Kim (Seoul's National University); and on October 5th, Father Rafael del Bianco (missionary in Korea).
In that same year, the School had the pleasure of having lectures by the following diplomats: on September 15th, Dr. Abdolasim Hashemi Nik, Charge d´Affaires of the Islamic Republic of Iran; on September 24th, Dr. XU Yicong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China, and Dr. ZHAO Xingtian, Cultural Counselor to the PRC Embassy; on September 29th, Dr. Tran Quang Hoan, Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam; on October 5th, Dr. Nigam Prakash, Ambassador of the Republic of India; on October 4th, Dr. Larry Wang, General Director of Taipei's Commercial and Cultural Office; on October 19th, Dr. Salem Al-Zamanan, Ambassador of the State of Kuwait; and on November 2nd, Dr. Chang Hue, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea.
Universidad del Salvador as a result of the School of Oriental Studies recommendation has signed a Cooperation Agreement with Jawaharlal Nehru University of New Delhi, as well as with Assumption University of Bangkok, Thailand
On April 28th, Ozair Khalid from the Embassy of Pakistan spoke about "Oriental Studies in Europe and Asia".
On May 19th, Dr. Saeed Khalid, Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, gave a lecture on "Current Developments in Central and South Asia".
On May 23rd, Dr. Yang Kitaek, Cultural Adviser to the Korean Embassy, spoke about "Korea's Educational System". On that occasion, the Directress of the Argentine-Korean Institute talked about this worldwide unique institution because of its schooling in Spanish and Korean.
On August 9th, Dr. M. Santhananaban, Ambassador of the Federation of Malaysia, spoke about "Malaysia Today".
On August 22nd, after their participation in the East Asia - Latin America Forum, the following offcials from Thailand´s Ministry of Foreign Affairs visited our School: Dr. Samkiati Ariyapruchya, General Director of the Department for American and Pacific Affairs; Dr. Suvat Chirapant, Director of the Latin American Division; and Dr. Thawat Sumitmor, First Secretary, Latin America Division.
During late August until early September, Professor Jorge Malena organized a Program of Magisterial Classes related to the People's Republic of China. The lectures were given by diplomats and specialists on this country: on August 25th, Dr. XU Yicong, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China; on September 1st, Dr. Marta González, China Hand of the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and on 8th September Dr. Ernesto Fernández Taboada, Director of the Argentine-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
On September 28th, it was held in Buenos Aires the 4th Meeting of the Latin America and the Caribbean Network for Asia Studies, organized by the Institute for the Integration of Latin America and the Caribbean´s Center for Asia Pacific Studies (INTAL-CEAP). The Director of the School of Oriental Studies "Rev. P. Ismael Quiles S.J.", Prof. Luisa Rosell, was invited by INTAL-CEAP. On this occasion, the School was represented by one of his professors, Dr. Gonzalo S. Paz.
On September 29th, Bank Boston Foundation organized the seminar "China's Entry to the WTO", to which the School was invited. On this occasion, the School was represented by one of his professors, Mag. Jorge E. Malena.
On October 24th a Magisterial Class was held by the head of Argentine Muslims, Imam SheiK Ibrahim Al Desuqui Al Alfi (Al Azhar University, Egypt), on "The Belief in God and Its Relation with Monotheist Religions". He was accompanied by Hamid Ben Kaddour and Omar Ahmed Abboud, professors of the Islamic Centre of Argentina.
Seminar of the Academic Forum for Latin America and East Asia (Santiago de Chile, 30-31 October 2000). On July 13th, the Director for Asia and Australasia of the Argentine Ministry for Foreign Relations, International Trade and Cult, Ambassador Nereo Melo Ferrer, proposed Prof. Rosell to assign a scholar to participate -according to the invitation of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs- in the Seminar of the Academic Forum for Latin America and East Asia (to be held in Santiago de Chile and organized by the above mentioned Ministry along with the Chilean Foundation for the Pacific, within the framework of the governmental Forum for Latin America and East Asia). The Director of the School appointed Magister Jorge E. Malena to attend, who participated in the Socio-cultural Panel and presented the paper "Genesis of Asian Presence in Latin America". The financial resources for taking part in the seminar were provided by decision of Dr. Juan Jose Taccone, Interamerican Development Bank's Director. On December 16th, Ambassador Nereo Melo Ferrer wrote to the School appraising its role in the event.
On March 28th, Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, President of the Institute of Regional Studies -IRS- (Islamabad, Pakistan), wrote to the School proposing the beginning of academic cooperation between the two institutions. In order to fulfil that goal, Professor Luisa Rosell answer affirmatively and sent the IRS a copy of the latest issue of the School quarterly, "East and West".
On April 16th, the School Director received an invitation from Dr. Ghazi Jomaa (Ambassador of Tunisia), Prof. Pascual Condoleo (President of the Argentine-Arab Cultural institute), as well as from General Diego Soria (President of the National Institute for Studies on General San Martin), to become member of the Anibal-San Martin Argentine-Tunisian Friendship Association. On May 18th, it was held at the residence of the Tunisian Ambassador a meeting to establish the Executive Committee of the above-mentioned Association, in which Prof. Rosell and Prof. Stella Punta Ugalde partake.
On April 26th, Dr. Ignacio Rebaudi, responsible for the Educative Cooperation Area (Cultural Affairs Direction, Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs), required the School to recommend one of its scholars to participate in the "International Symposium of Sinologist from Universities in the World", to be held in Beijing (China) on 6-9 September 2001. On that same day, the Director of the School proposed Prof. Jorge E. Malena, who afterwards was chosen by the Cultural Affairs Direction among the country´s most prestigeous sinologysts.
On May 7th, Prof. Gonzalo Paz represented the School in Mexico when participating at both a conference on Korea (held in El Colegio de Mexico)as well as an international seminar on "The Asian Development Model: Lessons for Mexico" (organized by Universidad de Guadalajara).
On June 13th, Prof. Pascual Condoleo, President of the Argentine-Arab Cultural Institute lectured on "Islam as seen from the West". By Directorial Resolution 08/2001, Mr. Condoleo was appointed "Visiting Professor".
On June 19th, the Press and Cultural Attaché to the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Dr. Park Wang-Soo gave a Master class on "A Unity Project for the Two Koreas".
On June 22nd, H. E. the Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Dr. Saeed Khalid, lectured on "Mohammed Ali Jinnah, Founding Father of Pakistan".
On June 22nd, by Resolution 299 the National Secretariat for Culture and Media appointed Rev. Father Enrique V. Lapadula, Prof. Luisa Rosell and Prof. Jorge E. Malena members of the National Museum of Oriental Arts' Honorary Advisory Council.
On June 27th, a round table on "Culture and Foreign Trade" took place at the Bank Boston Foundation. Its speakers were Dr. Felix Peña, Dr. Victor Massuh, Dr. Elvio Baldinelli, Eng. Luis Navas, Amb. Eduardo Sadous and Prof. Luisa Rosell. The event was organized by the School of Oriental Studies "R. P. Ismael Quiles S. J." and the Bank Boston Foundation.
On June 29th, Juan Belikow, Director of the Centre for East and Central European Studies and Prof. of the School of Political Science (Buenos Aires National University), lectured on "Central Asia's Post Communist Phase". By Directorial Resolution 09/2001 Mr. Belikow was appointed "Visiting Professor".
On June 30th, Prof. Luisa Rosell lectured on "Rev. Father Ismael Quiles S. J. appraisal of Intercultural Dialogue" at the Arab-Islamic and Eastern Studies Free Chair (Casa de la Cultura, Buenos Aires Province).
On July 18th, H. E. the Ambassador of the Malaysian Federation, Dr. M. Santhananaban, invited Prof. Luisa Rosell to participate in the seminar "Business Oportunities between Malaysia and Argentina" that was held during the visit to Buenos Aires of Hon. Dato' Kerk Choo Ting -Malaysia´s Vice Minister for International Trade and Industry-. Other professors of the School participated, such as Liliana G. Daris, María del Valle Guerra, Jorge E. Malena and Gonzalo Paz.
On July 20th, Prof. Luisa Rosell was invited to the launching of the "Asia Pacific Expo & Conference for the Mercosur", that will take place on April 2002 at Sociedad Rural Exhibition Centre (Buenos Aires).
The President of Universidad del Salvador, Dr. Juan A. Tobías, by Rector Resolution 196/01 decided to sponsor the "Asia Pacific Expo & Conference for the Mercosur", that will take place on April 2002 at Sociedad Rural Exhibition Centre (Buenos Aires).
On August 8th, it was held a Tea Ceremony (Urasenke Chapter) conducted by Prof. Emiko Arimizu, in which participated graduated student María de la Paz Albarracín.
On August 23rd, Prof. Gonzalo Paz was invited by Universidad de Chile's International Studies Institute (sponsored by the Korea Foundation and the Chilean Foundation for the Pacific) to lecture on "Transcultural Relations and International Co-operation between Korea and South America". The event was within the framework of the international conference "Chile and Korea: Strategic Options for a Major Integration in the Globalization Era". By Directorial Resolution 11/2001, Prof. Paz was nominated representative of the School of Oriental Studies.
On August 31st, Prof. Song Xiaoping, member of the China Academy of Social Sciences and researcher of the Institute of Latin American Studies, lectured on "China's Current Political and Economic Situation". The lecture was attended, among others, by Minister Mario Schuff, Deputy Director for Asia and Australasia (Argentine Ministry of Foreign Affairs) and Lic. Ernesto Fernández Taboada, Executive Director of the Argentine-Chinese Chamber for Trade, Industry and Production. By Directorial Resolution 10/2001, Mr. Song was appointed "Visiting Professor".
On September 6th, Dr. Alberto D. Intebi, Director of the Argentine Institute of Psychoneuroimmune Endocrinology, lectured on "Yoga and Health". By Directorial Resolution 12/2001, Dr. Intebi was appointed "Visiting Professor".
On September 17th, Dr. Jorg Faust, Assistant, Professor of Political Science (Meinz University, Germany) and member of the German Association of Latin American Studies, lectured on his research project "Latin America's Relations with East Asia". By Directorial Resolution 13/2001 Dr. Faust was appointed "Visiting Professor".
On September 27th, Dr. Manohar L. Gharote, Director of Lonavla Yoga Institute (India), lectured on "Yoga's Contribution to the Global Current Situation".
On October 10th, H. E. Ambassador of the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, Dr. Nourredine Ayadi, spoke about "Algeria towards the challenge of Democracy and Development". Prof. Pascual Condoleo (President of the Argentine-Arab Cultural Institute), and School's professors Stella Punta Ugalde and Alicia Costa attended the lecture.
On October 26th, the Etiquette Institute of Argentina invited Directress of the School, Prof. Luisa Rosell, to attend the ceremony for granting the Two-Headed Eagle Order to H. E. the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, Dr. Kim Seung-young, at the Air Force Club.
On October 30th, H. E. the Ambassador of Tunisia, Dr. Jomaa Ghazi, lectured on "Tunisia: Its Past, Present and Future". On this occasion, Prof. Pascual Condoleo (President of the Argentine-Arab Cultural Institute) attended the lecture.
On November 5th, H. E. the Ambassador of Australia, Hon. Dr. Sharyn Minahan spoke about "Australia Today".
On November 6th, on the occasion of the
14th anniversary of the "November 7th celebration" in Tunisia, the Anibal-San
Martin Argentine-Tunisian Friendship Association along with the National Institute for
Studies on General San Martin, the Argentine-Arab Cultural institute and the Embassy of
Tunisia organised an academic act whose programme was: Panel discussion
"Tunisia's Current Situation and Its Relations with Argentina" and Signing
of the Statute for the Anibal-San Martin Argentine-Tunisian Friendshi Association. Among
others, Professors Stella Punta Ugalde and Luisa Rosell signed as
members of the Association's Executive Committee.
On November 7th, H. E. the Ambassador of New Zealand, Dr. Caroline Anne Forsyth lectured on "New Zealand's Place in the World".
On November 8th, Professor Adrián J. Jmelnizky, MA in Political Science (Jerusalem Hebrew University) lectured on "The Arab-Israeli Conflict".
On November 22nd, Prof. Luisa Rosell, Directress of the School of Oriental Studies "R. P. Ismael Quiles S. J.", was invited to the banquet hosted by the President of the Argentine Nation, Dr. Fernando De La Rúa, in honour of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Dr. Helen Clark.
On November 23rd, Prime Minister of New Zealand, Dr. Helen Clark, invited Prof. Luisa Rosell to a reception on the occasion of her visit to Argentina.
On November 28th, Prof. Luisa Rosell, Directress of the School of Oriental Studies, attended the ceremony to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Naval University, on board "Fragata Libertad".
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