Partnerships for the Goals

Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) actively initiates and participates in cross-sectoral dialogue about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), exemplifying its commitment to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals. On July 24, 2024, HCCCI engaged in the iLab Project 2024: Integrating Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) into the Philippine Educational System, organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) through its International Affairs Service (IAS) at Sulu State College in Jolo, Sulu.

As one of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs awarded the iLab grant, HCCCI directly contributed to national-level discussions involving government agencies, non-government organizations (NGOs), and higher education institutions. The project served as a platform for sharing experiences, identifying challenges, and developing strategies to integrate technology-enhanced, globally connected learning practices into the Philippine educational system. Through these interactions, HCCCI demonstrated how HEIs can actively participate in conferences and forums that promote cross-sectoral collaboration in support of sustainable education development.

Represented by Ms. Vanessa Marie L. Antiquin, Executive Vice President, HCCCI provided input on SDG-aligned educational strategies with a focus on inclusivity, innovation, and intercultural collaboration. Particular attention was given to programs that support indigenous and underserved communities, ensuring that digital and internationalized learning initiatives reach the most marginalized sectors. HCCCI’s participation strengthened partnerships with government and NGOs, fostering shared learning, adaptive management, and the co-creation of solutions that advance equitable and sustainable education.

By actively initiating and participating in these cross-sectoral dialogues, HCCCI exemplifies how higher education institutions can contribute to national and regional efforts to implement the SDGs, reinforcing its mission to build meaningful partnerships that generate positive social impact. Engagements like the iLab Project 2024 highlight HCCCI’s role as a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and intercultural learning, ensuring that the college’s initiatives not only enrich its own community but also contribute to the broader Philippine educational landscape.

November 22, 2024—Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) proudly marks the meaningful completion of its four-week Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program with the Community College of Philadelphia (CCP). Running from October 25 to November 22, 2024, the initiative, HR FUSION: Crafting Teams, Cultivating Leaders, provided a dynamic platform for students to explore leadership and teamwork through a global lens—an essential skill in navigating today’s rapidly evolving workforce.

In an era defined by digital collaboration, multicultural environments, and shifting workplace expectations, understanding cross-cultural team dynamics is no longer optional—it is essential. This COIL program enabled students to compare leadership approaches and teamwork practices between the Philippines and the United States, gaining firsthand insights into how cultural values, communication patterns, decision-making styles, and workplace attitudes influence team-building and leadership.

A central feature of the program was students’ co-created infographics, which reflected not only academic learning but also a deeper appreciation of how leadership is shaped by context, culture, and shared human experiences. Through open discussions and collaboration, students developed skills in navigating differences with respect and curiosity, preparing them for diverse global work environments.

The program strongly advances sustainable and inclusive education. By nurturing cross-cultural competencies, global awareness, and digital collaboration skills, it contributes to SDG 4: Quality Education, while the international partnership exemplifies SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, highlighting the value of cross-border educational cooperation. The focus on leadership and workforce readiness also intersects with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, emphasizing adaptable, culturally sensitive, and ethical leadership.

Much of the program’s success is credited to Prof. Stephany A. Domingo of HCCCI and Dr. Gayathri Banavara of CCP, whose transparent facilitation, compassionate guidance, and structured approach ensured meaningful engagement while fostering accountability to program goals.

Over the four weeks, students collaborated virtually across time zones, exploring Filipino teamwork values of community and shared responsibility, while CCP students shared American practices emphasizing autonomy, innovation, and structure. This exchange allowed students to appreciate different leadership traditions without losing sight of their own cultural identities.

By engaging in structured international dialogue, comparative analysis, and co-created outputs, HCCCI integrates global insights into its educational frameworks, refining strategies, aligning initiatives with international standards, and strengthening contributions to the SDGs. Programs like HR FUSION illustrate what sustainable education looks like: collaborative, culturally grounded, relevant, and future-focused.

With this successful partnership, HCCCI remains committed to expanding COIL initiatives, providing students opportunities to learn beyond borders and grow as leaders who embrace diversity, innovation, and global responsibility, championing sustainability and the transformative power of education.

HCCCI Implements Dedicated Courses Integrating Sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Across Academic Programs

Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) offers courses and academic programs that formally integrate sustainability and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ensuring that students acquire a comprehensive understanding of global development frameworks as they relate to their respective disciplines. Across all departments, course syllabi explicitly identify the SDGs addressed, specifying how these goals are embedded in the intended learning outcomes, course content, assessment strategies, and reflective learning requirements.

This structured integration affirms that sustainability is not approached as an auxiliary topic but as a fundamental component of the academic formation of all learners. Students from various fields—including business, education, health sciences, information technology, and the arts—engage with SDG-related themes such as environmental stewardship, social justice, economic resilience, community development, and international cooperation. Through core subjects, electives, and program-specific specialization courses, learners examine contemporary issues and develop competencies aligned with sustainable development.

HCCCI’s consistent incorporation of the SDGs within its curricular design reflects the institution’s broader commitment to producing graduates who are globally informed, socially responsible, and equipped to contribute to sustainable and inclusive progress. By ensuring that sustainability and the SDGs are intentionally articulated, pedagogically embedded, and academically reinforced, the institution strengthens its role in advancing quality education and responding to the complex challenges of an interconnected global society.

On May 6, 2024, Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI), through its Library Department, Gunita: A Book Lovers Club, the HCCCI Supreme Student Government (SSG), and Book Nook–HCCCI–Surallah, successfully carried out a heartwarming student volunteering and literacy outreach mission at DepEd Tayo Lambontong Elementary School. Benefiting children aged 6 to 12, the initiative—Hibla Lokal Project–TuTuldok: Leaving a Mark One Community at a Time—was designed to inspire young learners to dream, imagine, and create through storytelling, writing, and the arts.

Grounded in the belief that literacy and imagination are tools for empowerment, HCCCI’s student and faculty volunteers brought stories to life through interactive reading sessions, creative writing activities, and arts-based learning. These community-centered engagements reinforced Filipino values, resilience, and the importance of cultural identity.

Supported by the National Book Development Board–Philippines (NBDB), HCCCI and Book Nook–Surallah shared a commitment to nurturing a culture of reading and creativity among the youth of Lambontong. NBDB-donated and locally curated books offered the children access to diverse narratives and Filipino-authored stories that celebrate heritage and local pride.

What sets Book Nook–Surallah’s approach apart is its culturally grounded and community-focused storytelling model. Each activity aimed not only to strengthen reading comprehension but also to deepen appreciation for Filipino traditions and community narratives. Through the generosity of Book Nook–Surallah, the elementary school became a vibrant space filled with joy, curiosity, and discovery.

The event underscored the vital role of collaboration between educational institutions, government agencies, and community organizations in delivering meaningful and accessible learning experiences. By extending its learning mission beyond the campus, HCCCI reaffirmed its dedication to serving the wider community, demonstrating that education flourishes where compassion and curiosity meet.

This initiative clearly fulfills the indicator: HCCCI, as a university body, conducts dedicated outreach educational activities for the wider community, particularly local residents and school-aged children. Through this student volunteering program, HCCCI extends learning opportunities to underserved communities, promoting inclusive, equitable, and lifelong learning aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education). It also contributes to SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by making literacy resources, creative spaces, and culturally rooted learning accessible to children who may otherwise have limited exposure.

Looking ahead, HCCCI continues its commitment to community empowerment by supporting NBDB’s vision of expanding Book Nook sites nationwide. These hubs serve as creative, literacy, and cultural engagement centers for residents, keeping storytelling alive and accessible. Through sustained partnerships and dedicated student volunteerism, HCCCI remains steadfast in nurturing communities through knowledge, creativity, and compassion—leaving a mark, one story and one child at a time.