The University (QSU) and Adamas University (AU) in India officially launched the “Think, Speak, Pitch: A COIL Journey in Research Communication” program on August 19, 2025. Held via Zoom and streamed on Facebook Live, the event brought together students and faculty from both institutions for a collaborative experience designed to sharpen skills in research communication, public speaking, and and academic writing within a global context.

Dr. Agaton P. Pattalitan, Jr., Dean of the College of Teacher Education and Chairperson of the Bachelor of Secondary Education in Diffun Campus, presented the program’s rationale. He mentioned that by connecting students virtually, the initiative provided a unique platform for cross-cultural academic exchange, addressing key global and national educational frameworks. This included aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), by promoting equitable access to international learning opportunities.

Speaking on behalf of Dr. Hermenegildo F. Samoy, Jr., University President, Dr. Divina Gracia S. Sabio, Campus Administrator of Diffun, extended a warm welcome to all the participants. “Through this Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), we break down walls that separate us and we open doors to ideas that inspire, innovate, and create changes,” she said. In her message, Dr. Shauli Mukherjee, Professor and Dean of the School of Education at AU described COIL as the future of education and learning. She reminded the 50 student and faculty participants that cooperation and collaboration are key to survival, not competition. She encouraged them to fully engage in the learning and relearning activities throughout the project, enabling them to become authentic 21st-century learners.

Dr. Romiro G. Bautista, International Relations Officer and the event’s lead organizer, introduced the participants, faculty in charge of each group, and the project timeline. ​After the participants were assigned studies to work on, they attended a series of lectures from esteemed educators and researchers.

The presentations included:
•Dr. Arlyn J. Yra (QSU): “Seamless Submissions: Maximizing the QSU, LMS for Research Output Uploads”
•Dr. Deeksha Saraswat (AU): “Evaluate your Visual Storytelling: Expert Tips on Designing PowerPoint Presentation for Research Impact”
•Dr. Melidiossa V. Pagudpud (QSU): “Poster Power: Crafting Visually Compelling Research Posters”
•Dr. Madhurima Chakraborty (AU): “The Art of the Pitch: How to Present and Defend your Research with Confidence and Clarity”
•Dr. Client William Melchor-Malinao (Ifugao State University): “Home Quarantined: Privacy at Risk in Technologically-Oriented Learning”
•Ms. Jennifer R. Gacad (QSU): “STEM and Non-STEM Students’ Model of Learning and Study Strategies, and General Mathematics Performance”
•Dr. Abdul Rahim Ridzuan (Universiti Teknologi Mara -Melaka, Malaysia): “FDI as a Potential Driver for Sustainable Development in Malaysia?”

Dr. Florigold V. Saldaen, the Vice President for Administration and Finance, concluded the event by emphasizing the power of collaboration. She stated that it forges productive connections and builds intercultural relationships on a global scale, particularly in higher education, allowing teaching, learning, and research to happen in a wider context. She ended her message by offering a blessing of goodwill.

The culminating activity for this collaborative project is scheduled for September 4, 2025, giving student and faculty COILERS a chance to earn awards.

|𝐐𝐈𝐎 with University President Hermenegildo F. Samoy, Jr.