La Consolacion College Bacolod brought international learning closer to its students and faculty through an academic exchange with Dr. Polly Barr, guest lecturer from the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, during the “International Collaboration and Transformative Learning: A Roundtable Discussion” held June 4.
The roundtable served as a platform for knowledge exchange, global academic networking and the sharing of best practices in teaching, research and transformative learning. It also opened discussions on possible areas of collaboration that may benefit LCCB students and faculty through future academic engagements.
Barr, whose academic background is rooted in psychological science, shared insights from the University of Bristol’s academic practices and research culture. Her areas of expertise include cognitive processes, language production, cognitive neuropsychology and the study of human behavior.
For LCCB, the visit underscored the value of bringing global academic conversations into the local campus setting, allowing students and faculty to engage with international perspectives without leaving Bacolod.
Sr. Flolyn S. Catungal, OSA, LCCB president, said the academic exchange reflects the institution’s commitment to forming students who are locally grounded and globally prepared.
“Global learning does not begin only when our students travel abroad. It also begins when we open our classrooms, our minds and our academic community to meaningful conversations with educators and scholars from other parts of the world,” Catungal said. “This engagement reminds us that our students deserve learning experiences that connect them to wider possibilities.”
The discussion was attended by institutional representatives, administrators and selected faculty members, including Dr. Alona B. Cabrera, LCCT/LCCB External Affairs and Linkages, and Sr. Diosie T. Tanca-ag, OSA, president of La Consolacion College Tanauan.
Representatives from the School of Sciences, Liberal Arts and Teacher Education also took part in the exchange, led by Dr. Janrae A. Sanicas, SSLATE dean, and Dr. Rosanne Jalbuena, program head.
Sanicas and Jalbuena expressed interest in exploring opportunities that would provide incoming fourth-year students with meaningful global learning experiences as part of their academic and professional formation.
The discussion also explored potential areas for collaboration, including academic networking, research engagement, faculty development and student learning opportunities.
Barr’s visit highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in preparing students for an increasingly interconnected academic and professional environment. Her presentation also encouraged faculty members to look at global partnerships as a way to enrich classroom instruction and strengthen research engagement.
Catungal said international academic linkages are important because they help students see themselves as part of a wider learning community.
“When we expose our students to international perspectives, we help them understand that their education is not limited by geography,” Catungal said. “They can learn from the world, contribute to the world and carry with them the values of an Augustinian education wherever they go.”
The roundtable marked an initial step toward building stronger connections with international academic partners and creating future opportunities for collaborative learning.
Through the engagement, LCCB reaffirmed its commitment to transformative education, global excellence and partnerships that enrich student learning and faculty development.