Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) and South Cotabato State College (SCSC), both located in Surallah, South Cotabato, recently held a meaningful courtesy visit and discussion centered on internationalization and the integration of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). The engagement marked an important step in strengthening SCSC’s iLab Project, while also opening opportunities for shared growth, collaboration, and sustainable development in higher education.

At the core of the conversation was a shared commitment to serve students better by creating globally relevant, future-ready, and community-oriented learning opportunities. HCCCI humbly expressed its willingness not only to work alongside SCSC, but also to share experiences and extend support in strengthening internationalization pathways that can help both institutions flourish in today’s interconnected academic environment.

Both schools look forward to initiatives that move beyond short-term engagements. By exchanging expertise, sharing best practices in global engagement, and supporting faculty through capacity-building programs, the partnership aims to make international perspectives an enduring part of the academic journey. This approach ensures that students will continue to benefit from opportunities that prepare them for success in an increasingly competitive and diverse world.

The collaboration also places emphasis on inclusivity, affirming that indigenous and underserved learners must have equal access to global platforms where leadership, innovation, and cultural exchange can be nurtured. By anchoring international experiences in local contexts, both institutions aspire to make education not only globally competitive, but also socially relevant and transformative for the communities they serve.

The meeting likewise opened discussions on the possibility of forging a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to formalize the partnership and provide a framework for long-term cooperation in faculty development, research, and student services. For HCCCI, the presence of its top management reflects its ongoing commitment to walk hand-in-hand with fellow higher education institutions, guided by a philosophy of sustainable internationalization—one that grows through continuous collaboration, humility, and community building.

As neighbors in Surallah, South Cotabato, HCCCI and SCSC recognize the greater potential of this collaboration. With this partnership as a foundation, both institutions hope to inspire and extend the reach of internationalization to other neighboring HEIs, creating a wider network of schools that share the same goal of uplifting learners and communities through education.

Together, HCCCI and SCSC are taking small but meaningful steps toward building bridges that last—bridges that connect local realities to global opportunities, and ensure that students are prepared not only to succeed, but also to lead responsibly in a sustainable and interconnected world.