A delegation from Saint Louis College of San Fernando, La Union (SLC-SFLU) travelled to Kathmandu, Nepal to participate in the International Conference on Social and Cross-Cultural Exchange (ICSXC) 2026 and advance the College’s continuing internationalization efforts. The delegation was headed by Rev. Fr. Roderick G. Villamar, CICM, PhD, President of SLC-SFLU, together with Dr. Leo Esteene L. Galap, Director of Global Affairs; Dr. Shari Maro R. Raposas, Head of the Department of Languages; Mr. Niño Randy C. Flores, Head of the Research Management Office; and Ms. Shekalaine C. Agurin, Faculty Member of the Basic Education Schools.
The visit primarily strengthened SLC-SFLU’s collaboration with Saint Xavier’s College (SXC), Kathmandu, as the College joined the co-hosting of ICSXC 2026. Beyond participation in the conference, the undertaking provided opportunities for the SLC-SFLU delegation to engage with students, faculty members, researchers, and academic partners through a series of pre-conference international activities.
As part of these activities, the delegation conducted InteLect (International Lectures) for students from various programs of SXC. Dr. Raposas, Mr. Flores, and Ms. Agurin each facilitated separate sessions, bringing their academic expertise and institutional experiences into an international learning environment. These engagements provided students with opportunities to encounter perspectives beyond their immediate academic setting and highlighted the value of international exposure in broadening learning and developing globally oriented competencies.
The delegation also participated in two iSHARE sessions. The first brought together faculty members from the different programs of SXC, creating a venue for academic exchange and professional dialogue. The second gathered representatives of the co-host institutions of ICSXC 2026, allowing participating institutions to share experiences, explore areas of common interest, and strengthen relationships for future academic collaboration.
During the conference proper, SLC-SFLU further contributed to the academic program through research presentations by Rev. Fr. Villamar, Dr. Raposas, Mr. Flores, and Ms. Agurin. Dr. Galap, meanwhile, chaired two plenary sessions, while Dr. Raposas served as one of the conference’s keynote speakers. These engagements underscored the College’s continuing efforts to bring the expertise and scholarly work of its academic community into international platforms.
The Nepal trip also provided an opportunity for the SLC-SFLU delegation and fellow co-hosts to experience the cultural heritage of Kathmandu and surrounding municipalities through cultural tours. These activities complemented the academic engagements by allowing participants to appreciate the cultural contexts that shape communities and educational institutions across countries.
For SLC-SFLU, the undertaking goes beyond participation in an international conference. It reflects the College’s continuing commitment to internationalization as a means of creating meaningful learning opportunities, strengthening faculty and research engagement, and building lasting academic partnerships. For students, these initiatives open avenues to encounter diverse perspectives and cultures while developing the knowledge, confidence, and intercultural awareness needed to participate in an increasingly interconnected world. For faculty and staff, they create opportunities for professional exchange, research collaboration, and institutional learning.
Through initiatives such as ICSXC, InteLect, and iSHARE, SLC-SFLU continues to bring international experiences closer to its academic community. These engagements contribute to the College’s broader pursuit of integral formation and excellence through internationalization, ensuring that global perspectives become meaningful components of the educational experience of the Louisian community.
