HCCCI Executive Vice President Vanessa Marie L. Antiquin, MMEM, strengthened the institution’s engagement with the international higher education community through her successful participation in the 36th Annual European Association for International Education (EAIE) Conference and Exhibition, held September 8–11, 2026, in Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.

Her participation placed HCCCI’s executive leadership in direct engagement with higher education institutions, international education organizations, and professionals from different countries, providing opportunities to exchange institutional perspectives, strengthen professional relationships, and explore opportunities that may support HCCCI’s academic and organizational development.

With the 2026 conference carrying the theme “The Rhythm of Revolution,” EAIE provided a venue for discussions on emerging directions in international education and the evolving approaches institutions are taking to build meaningful international connections.

As Executive Vice President, Antiquin brought an institutional leadership perspective to these conversations. Her participation complemented the presence of School President Marivet S. Caballero and Internationalization Officer Roelof Van Buren, giving HCCCI a broader leadership representation throughout the four-day conference.

HCCCI’s presence at EAIE 2026 was particularly significant as the only Philippine institution participating in the conference and exhibition and as a member of the Fédération Européenne des Écoles (FEDE). Membership in FEDE and participation in EAIE provide HCCCI with avenues to engage with international institutions, exchange practices, and identify potential areas of cooperation.

Throughout the conference, Antiquin participated in conversations with representatives from higher education institutions and organizations, gaining perspectives from different educational and cultural contexts while sharing HCCCI’s institutional initiatives and internationalization priorities. These engagements included discussions that may support academic exchange, international programs, faculty and student opportunities, collaborative activities, and other forms of institutional cooperation.

For HCCCI, executive participation in international higher education platforms is also an opportunity to connect external engagement with institutional priorities. Insights gathered from international counterparts can inform continuing initiatives, while relationships established during the conference can develop into opportunities that benefit students, faculty, academic programs, and the wider HCCCI community.

The engagement contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education through the exchange of educational knowledge, practices, and perspectives; SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities through broader participation in international education networks and cross-cultural engagement; SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions through institutional dialogue and professional exchange; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through the development of relationships that may lead to future cooperation.

Antiquin’s participation also reflects the importance of having institutional leaders actively involved in internationalization. International engagement is strengthened when leadership is part of the conversation—not only to represent the institution, but also to understand different perspectives and identify opportunities that can be translated into institutional value.

Together with the participation of HCCCI’s School President and Internationalization Officer, the EVP’s presence contributed to a unified institutional representation at EAIE 2026. As HCCCI continues to build its internationalization agenda, these engagements provide opportunities to connect, learn, and develop relationships that can create practical opportunities for the HCCCI community and its partner institutions.