Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) is honored to be part of the European Association for International Education (EAIE) 2025 Conference and Exhibition in Gothenburg, Sweden. Our arrival marks the beginning of a meaningful journey—not only for our institution but for the community and partners whose voices we proudly carry with us.

This year is particularly significant as HCCCI stands as the only Philippine Higher Education Institution represented under the FEDE (Federation for European Education) Collective Stand – R23. While this distinction is humbling, we see it not as our achievement alone but as a responsibility to represent the broader Philippine higher education sector, to share our narratives of growth, resilience, and collaboration, and to ensure that our presence uplifts both our institution and our country.

Our path to EAIE 2025 began with our participation last year through the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) program. That experience sparked a deeper commitment to internationalization, inspiring us to dedicate a year of preparation to strengthen our institutional strategies, collaborations, and readiness to engage in global dialogues. Today, that preparation culminates in Gothenburg, where we are eager to continue learning and contributing on an international stage.

Representing Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. at EAIE 2025 are Ms. Vanessa Marie L. Antiquin, MMEM, Executive Vice President; Dr. Erwin M. Faller, PhD, Academic Director; and Mr. Roelof Van Buren, our Europe-based International Relations Officer. Their presence underscores the institution’s commitment to advancing internationalization from multiple perspectives—executive leadership, academic development, and global networking.

The delegation brings with them the unique story of South Cotabato, where internationalization is more than an academic framework; it is a lifeline of opportunity for indigenous learners and underserved communities. In a province where education often intersects with issues of accessibility and equity, HCCCI views global exposure as a means to empower local learners with world-class competencies, while at the same time amplifying the cultural wealth and resilience of Mindanao to the international community.

Speaking on behalf of the delegation, EVP Antiquin highlighted that this year’s exhibition under the FEDE stand represents “a chance for a humble institution like ours to show how internationalization can thrive even in regional contexts.” Dr. Faller added that the conference is expected to provide valuable insights into academic innovations, curriculum internationalization, and research collaborations, which can be tailored to benefit HCCCI’s students and faculty. Meanwhile, International Relations Officer Van Buren emphasized the importance of connecting with European partners, noting that “the bridges we build here will open pathways for exchanges, mobility, and long-term collaborations.”

Today marks the first day, setting the stage for the official opening of the three-day conference. The HCCCI delegation looks forward to engaging in discussions on best practices, exploring opportunities for institutional linkages, and identifying concrete strategies that can be translated into the Philippine context. For HCCCI, participation is not about global visibility alone; it is about listening, learning, and ensuring that every partnership formed abroad creates tangible benefits for learners back home.This year’s participation also reaffirms HCCCI’s alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)—most notably SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). By anchoring its internationalization efforts within these global frameworks, the institution underscores its vision of education that transcends borders, fosters equity, and builds inclusive futures.

As thousands of educators and institutions converge in Gothenburg, HCCCI stands hopeful that its small yet significant voice from South Cotabato will find resonance within the global academic community. More importantly, the lessons learned and partnerships nurtured here will echo back home, shaping not only the future of HCCCI but also contributing to the broader advancement of Philippine higher education.