Delegates from Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) representing different campuses participated in the 4th Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) Conference 2026 with the theme “Beyond Borders: Building Sustainable Global Classrooms through COIL and Transnational Partnerships.” The two-day conference was held on March 12–13, 2026 at San Pedro College in Davao City.

The NORSU delegation was led by Dr. Craig N. Refugio, Director of International Linkages, together with Dr. Chizanne S. Larena, Dean of the Graduate School; Dr. Ralph A. Cardeño, Director for Curriculum and Instruction; Dr. Dennis R. Chiu, Campus Director of NORSU Bais; Dr. Lucille C. Himpayan from NORSU Bayawan Campus; Mrs. Analiza A. Mugar from NORSU Siaton Campus; and Dr. Joel T. Ubat from NORSU Guihulngan Campus.

The conference gathered educators, researchers, and internationalization leaders from various institutions to strengthen collaboration and promote sustainable Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiatives and transnational partnerships. Through panel discussions, workshops, and presentations, participants explored innovative strategies for creating globally connected classrooms and enhancing international academic cooperation.

One of the highlights of the conference was the sharing of best practices in COIL implementation, where participating institutions showcased successful projects that enabled students and faculty to engage in meaningful cross-border learning experiences without leaving their home campuses. These initiatives demonstrated how digital collaboration can foster intercultural understanding, global perspectives, and academic exchange among partner universities worldwide.

The participation of the NORSU delegates from various campuses reflects the university’s continuing commitment to expanding its internationalization initiatives. According to Dr. Craig Refugio, such engagement is a strategic step toward positioning NORSU within the global academic community. He emphasized that participating in international conferences and collaborative platforms will not only enrich the teaching and learning experiences of both faculty and students but will also strengthen NORSU’s global partnerships and enhance the university’s recognition and visibility on the international stage.