San Pedro College inks partnership with Holy Cross of Davao College

The two neighboring and premiere Catholic educational institutions in the Davao region, San Pedro College and Holy Cross of Davao College, signed their Memorandum of Agreement last February 18, 2022.

The presidents from both institutions attended the signing, Sr. Aida T. Frencillo, OP and Bro. Noelvic H. Deloria, S.C. Also, both directors of Internationalization and Linkages of the two institutions, Dr. Erwin Faller and Ms. Sheryl Joy Urdaneta, were both present as the two schools entered into an agreement of partnership in terms of cooperation in joint activities in relation to internationalization initiatives, faculty exchange, student development, research, cultural activities, and community engagement.

The HCDC president, in his opening remarks, emphasized the importance of forging relationships through partnerships. Bro. Deloria mentioned that the MOA is relationship building, but internationalization and collaboration remain foreign in the country since most HEIs see each other as competitors, “We know that that is not the way; we know that we just have to help one another…we can complement and help our people… at the end of the day, this relationship is not just for us, schools, but it’s really to be able to help more people out there, most especially our students, our teachers, and administrators under our care.” Also, referring to its neighbor school, he added, “If you have a neighbor, make good friends with your neighbor… proximity is very important; but we know that once relationships are made, this proximity can grow and continue to move around.”

On behalf of the SPC president, Sr. Frencillo, Dr. Ana Julia P. Enero, the SPC Dean of Academics, gave her opening remarks. Dr. Enero looked back from the first partnership between the two schools in 1972-1973, where the two schools entered a consortium. She also highlighted that, 50 years after, SPC and HCDC will once again make history as they forge partnerships. “This agreement offers an opportunity for San Pedro College to realize one of its institutional goals of building partnership and linkages…This MOU signing marks an important collaboration between two institutions as we strengthen ties and commit our close partnership in terms of our mutual interest in the promotion of internationalization initiatives as an avenue for diversified and unique teaching and learning experiences,” Enero highlighted.

The partnership will last for five years and can be renewed if both parties see it necessary to do so. Key persons from both institutions also witnessed the signing. From the Holy Cross of Davao College administrators, namely: Dr. Teresa Fabiana, VP for Academic Affairs; Mr. Rommel Momo VP for Operations; Prof. Estela O. Yray, Head of the Center for Research; and Mr. Kevin Paul Bonotan, Head of the Student Life and Services. On the other hand, representing San Pedro College are Mr. Belindo S. Aguilar, Director of the Student-Personnel Services; Dr. June L. Prieto, Dean of the Accountancy and Business Management and Coordinator of the Collaborative Online International Learning; Mr. Jecy B. Opada, Communications and Media Relations Officer; Mr. Jeritz George Orbigo, Global Mobility Program Coordinator; and Ms. Liezel Ann C. Palo, InterLink Administrative Officer.