On behalf of the Russell Berrie Foundation, IIE is pleased to announce the Russell Berrie Fellowship Program, a timely initiative at the Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum). Along with the establishment of an Annual Lecture Series on Interreligious Studies, the goal of the Fellowship Program is to build bridges between Christian, Jewish, and other religious traditions by providing the next generation of religious leaders with a comprehensive understanding of and dedication to interfaith issues. Russell Berrie Fellows are expected to complete the program and return home to their parishes and communities to lead others in efforts to promote interfaith understanding.
The Fellowship targets clergy, religious, and members of the laity for the purpose of studying at the Angelicum to obtain a Licence Degree or a Diploma in Interreligious Studies. In order to maintain funding, Russell Berrie Fellows must complete a curriculum, approved annually by the dean, drawn from courses that have a specific interreligious focus or that have an interreligious component. Russell Berrie Fellows are also expected to maintain a cumulative 9.0 or better average in their studies at the Angelicum in order to continue to receive support from the program.
Founded in 1577, Pontificia Università San Tommaso d'Aquino (Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas) is a non-profit private higher education institution located in the urban setting of the large city of Roma (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), Lazio. Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Congregation for Catholic Education, Vatican City State, Pontificia Università San Tommaso d'Aquino (PUST) is a very small (uniRank enrollment range: 1,000-1,999 students) coeducational higher education institution formally affiliated with the Christian-Catholic religion. Pontificia Università San Tommaso d'Aquino (PUST) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 442 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic record and grades. The admission rate range is 80-90% making this Vatican higher education organization a least selective institution. International students are welcome to apply for enrollment.