Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) brought its international academic engagement closer to the regional higher education community as its Malaysian visiting professors from Universiti Kuala Lumpur – Malaysian Institute of Information Technology (UniKL MIIT) paid a courtesy visit to the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office XII (CHEDRO XII). The engagement provided an opportunity for international educators and Philippine higher education stakeholders to exchange perspectives on academic collaboration, internationalization, and opportunities for continued cooperation.

The visiting professors, Ms. Samratul Janin Binti Sidal and Ts. Suhaili Binti Din, were accompanied by Vanessa Marie L. Antiquin, MMEM, Executive Vice President of HCCCI; Dr. Erwin M. Faller, Academic Director; .; and Jack Robin A. Lacerna, MMEM, International Relations and External Linkages Officer (IRELO).

Also joining the engagement was Dr. Rogelio Rasay, Academic Director of New Hope School of Agriculture and Fishery, Inc. (NHSAFI), one of HCCCI’s partner institutions. His participation further connected the international engagement with HCCCI’s broader network of Philippine academic partners.

On behalf of Dr. Rody P. Garcia, Regional Director of CHEDRO XII, the visiting delegation was received by the Regional Office’s representatives, including Dr. Zohrahaydah N. Panawidan, Ed.D., Chief Education Program Specialist; Dr. Ma. Teresa L. Samonte, Ed.D., Chief Administrative Officer; and Mr. Danstone Guy P. Dayaday, Education Supervisor II and Internationalization Focal Person. Their participation provided an opportunity to discuss the role of regional higher education stakeholders in facilitating academic cooperation and supporting institutional internationalization.

The meeting provided a venue for the participating institutions and higher education representatives to exchange perspectives on the contribution of international partnerships to academic programs, faculty and student development, knowledge exchange, and institutional internationalization. The presence of Malaysian educators also broadened the discussion toward international academic engagement within the Philippine higher education context.

As HCCCI visiting professors, Ms. Sidal and Ts. Din have been engaging directly with the HCCCI community through international masterclasses, academic discussions, and other learning activities. Their presence has provided students and faculty with opportunities to encounter Malaysian academic perspectives and interact with educators from another higher education system.

The courtesy visit also demonstrated how international academic mobility can create connections beyond the classroom. By providing an opportunity for the visiting professors to engage with CHEDRO XII representatives, the initiative extended academic dialogue beyond the participating institutions and opened space for further interaction among international partners, Philippine academic institutions, and regional higher education stakeholders.

The participation of UniKL MIIT, HCCCI, New Hope School of Agriculture and Fisheries, Inc., and CHEDRO XII highlighted the value of bringing international partners, Philippine institutions, and higher education representatives into a shared conversation. Such engagements provide opportunities to explore collaboration in faculty development, student mobility, academic innovation, capacity-building, and other institutional initiatives.

The initiative supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4: Quality Education by encouraging academic knowledge exchange and exposure to diverse educational perspectives. It also contributes to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals by fostering institutional cooperation and dialogue among international and regional higher education stakeholders.

For HCCCI, the courtesy visit reflects an approach to internationalization that extends beyond formal agreements and individual academic activities. It emphasizes the importance of building relationships, creating opportunities for dialogue, and connecting international partners with the wider Philippine higher education community.

The engagement with CHEDRO XII forms part of HCCCI’s continuing efforts to bring international perspectives into its academic community while maintaining meaningful connections with Philippine higher education stakeholders. Through its partnership with UniKL MIIT and the participation of its local academic partners, HCCCI continues to explore opportunities to translate international academic engagement into meaningful learning experiences, professional development, and institutional cooperation.