Jakarta, Indonesia—The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) spearheaded the Philippine participation in the Higher Education Partnership Conference (HEPCON) 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Commission continues to play a vital role in advancing the country’s internationalization efforts in higher education, ensuring that Filipino students, educators, and institutions are well represented in the global academic community.

HEPCON 2025 aims to promote collaboration and foster international partnerships between higher education institutions in Indonesia and universities from across the globe. The event serves as a crucial platform for dialogue, networking, and knowledge-sharing, bringing together academic leaders and representatives from diverse institutions. Through these exchanges, the conference contributes to advancing inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4), reducing inequalities (SDG 10), and strengthening global partnerships for sustainable development (SDG 17).

Spearheading the Philippine delegation was CHED Commissioner Dr. Desiderio R. Apag III, who served as team leader, guiding and supporting the country’s higher education representatives. The Philippine delegation expressed its deepest gratitude to CHED for creating avenues for international collaboration and for strengthening the Philippines’ presence in regional and global education platforms.

Among the participating institutions, Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) was honored to be one of the delegates joining this important international engagement. As part of its commitment to global partnerships, HCCCI also paid a courtesy visit to the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Jakarta. The HCCCI delegation was warmly received by Hon. Gonaranao B. Musor, Minister and Consul General, and Ms. Maricar S. Yambao, Second Secretary and Consul of the Philippine Embassy in Jakarta. The HCCCI delegation was led by Executive Vice President Vanessa Marie L. Antiquin, MMEM, together with Engr. Edicio M. Faller, Designate IT and Robotics Consultant of HCCCI. Both expressed their appreciation for the Embassy’s hospitality and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening academic and cultural linkages between the Philippines and Indonesia.

During the visit, HCCCI shared its ongoing academic collaborations with Indonesian partner universities. These include student and faculty exchanges, joint research initiatives, and both virtual and in-person academic programs. Such efforts are part of the institution’s Opportunities for Reskilling, Bridging, Internationalization, and Training (ORBIT) program, which ensures active participation of students and faculty in global academic exchanges while aligning with the SDGs.

This courtesy call not only underscored HCCCI’s commitment to internationalization but also reflected CHED’s strong leadership in guiding Philippine higher education institutions toward meaningful global engagement. With CHED spearheading these initiatives and Commissioner Dr. Desiderio R. Apag III leading the Philippine delegation, the visit highlighted how collaboration between government, academia, and international partners can create wider opportunities for Filipino learners and educators.

More importantly, this engagement demonstrates the Philippines’ alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By promoting inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG 4), such initiatives ensure that Filipino students and faculty gain access to global academic opportunities. Through active participation in student and faculty mobility, joint research, and international networking, the delegation contributes to reducing inequalities (SDG 10) by bridging gaps between local and international institutions. Finally, the strong partnerships established through HEPCON and diplomatic channels exemplify SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, affirming that sustainable development can only be achieved through collective global cooperation.

For HCCCI, being part of this delegation signifies a profound responsibility to extend the benefits of internationalization to its community—empowering students, uplifting educators, and contributing to the Philippines’ vision of a more inclusive, sustainable, and globally connected future for education.