Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) proudly formalized its partnership with Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) during the official launching of MMSU’s internationalization programs on September 5, 2025. The ceremony marked not just a signing of agreements but also a shared commitment to advancing academic collaborations that contribute to sustainable development and the global goals for education.

Representing HCCCI at the virtual event was Mx. Jack Robin A. Lacerna, MMEM, Director for Internationalization and External Linkages, who attended on behalf of the school President Marivet S. Caballero. Mx. Lacerna affirmed HCCCI’s dedication to building meaningful collaborations with academic partners across Asia and beyond. Through this newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), HCCCI signaled its readiness to engage in joint research initiatives, student and faculty exchanges, curriculum development, and capacity-building projects. These efforts are seen as key pillars in strengthening the institution’s mission of providing quality and globally relevant education.

For HCCCI, the partnership is more than an institutional milestone—it is a reflection of the school’s mission to create inclusive opportunities for its diverse student population, particularly those from underserved and indigenous communities in Mindanao. By aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), HCCCI positions itself as a strong advocate of education that empowers learners, reduces barriers, and builds bridges across cultures.

This collaboration also reinforces HCCCI’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and innovation. By joining a network of globally engaged institutions, the school can expand access to intercultural learning experiences, enhance its research capabilities, and prepare its students to be active contributors to both local development and international progress. These efforts resonate with HCCCI’s vision of bringing the world into the classroom while bringing the classroom into the world.

In many ways, the MOU symbolizes HCCCI’s proactive role in shaping a future-ready institution in Mindanao. It opens new opportunities for faculty and students to collaborate on research that addresses pressing global and local issues, to share cultural experiences that foster mutual understanding, and to build knowledge that drives sustainable communities.

With this partnership, Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. reaffirms its belief that internationalization is not merely about institutional growth—it is about transforming education into a force for empowerment, sustainability, and shared global progress.