General Santos City, Philippines — The recently concluded International COIL Conference 2025 in General Santos City held on May 21-23, 2025, marked a pivotal moment for Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) advancing global learning initiatives anchored in inclusivity and sustainable development. Among the more than 80 colleges and universities that gathered from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, Marinduque State University (MarSU) distinguished itself as a proactive partner, reinforcing its commitment to internationalization not only through collaborations with foreign institutions but also by forging strong alliances with fellow Philippine HEIs.
The event, hosted by Holy Child Central Colleges, Inc. (HCCCI) in partnership with the Commission on Higher Education – International Affairs Service (CHED-IAS) and CHED Regional Office XII, centered on the transformative potential of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). COIL offers a revolutionary approach to global education, enabling students and faculty to engage in meaningful cross-border collaboration without physical travel — a concept that is increasingly vital in expanding equitable access to internationalization.
Representing Marinduque State University at the International COIL Conference 2025 were Ms. Jholey Rose R. Leaño-Lancion, International Relations Director, together with Ms. Lenie Z. Rodriguez, Executive Assistant to the University President. MarSU actively engaged with peers from across the Philippines and abroad, culminating in the establishment of new partnerships with Urdaneta City University, Leyte Normal University, Central Philippine State University, Holy Child Colleges, Inc., and Universitas Islam Bandung, Indonesia. In line with these efforts, MarSU also formally committed to the Bayanihan COIL Network, a flagship initiative of the Commission on Higher Education – International Affairs Service (CHED-IAS), aimed at strengthening collaborative online international learning among Philippine higher education institutions.
These partnerships align closely with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly emphasizing Quality Education and Partnerships for the Goals. The collective aim is to implement a robust COIL project designed to foster collaborative teaching, learning, and research initiatives starting the upcoming academic year. This project underscores MarSU’s strategic vision to enhance its internationalization agenda by integrating global perspectives within the local academic context and by empowering Filipino learners to participate fully in worldwide academic communities.
Marinduque State University’s active involvement and leadership in this multi-institutional effort demonstrate how Philippine HEIs are innovatively expanding their international reach. By linking with both domestic and international partners, MarSU is helping to reshape internationalization into a more inclusive, accessible, and sustainable model — one that resonates with its mission to provide quality education responsive to global and local needs.
The university expresses heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support of University President, Prof. Dr. Diosdado P. Zulueta, whose vision and encouragement have been instrumental in enabling MarSU’s dynamic participation in this landmark conference and its continuing efforts to strengthen international collaborations.
As the International COIL Conference 2025 closes, the momentum for transformative global education partnerships continues to build. MarSU stands at the forefront of this movement, ready to embrace new opportunities that broaden horizons for its students and contribute to the Philippines’ vibrant higher education landscape.
[MarSU IRO | Photos: J. Leano]#EmpoweringMindsTransformingLives #MarinduqueStateUniveristy #SDG4QualityEducation #SDG17PartnershipsfortheGoal #SDG #FromtheHearttotheWorld #IRO
