T.H.E. TRAILBLAZERS: HCDC advances to ‘Leadership & Management Team’ spot of TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION Awards Asia 2026

International academic accrediting body Times Higher Education (THE) has shortlisted the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) as the sole academic institution from the Philippines for a spot of the ‘Leadership and Management Team’ award by THE Awards Asia.

THE announced HCDC’s placement last January 20 following its entry on strategic leadership project titled “A Seat at the Table: Co-creating the Future as a Synodal Approach to Strategic Leadership,” which served as the realization of HCDC’s ARISE (Administration, Research, Instruction, Spirituality, and Engagement) pillars in revamping the institution despite the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

THE said that HCDC’s project stood out among the over 500 “outstanding” entries for this edition from various schools all over Asia, with eight advancing under the ‘Leadership and Management Team’ category, including the Duke National University of Singapore, Hiroshima University (Japan), Hitit University (Turkey), IIMT University (India), Nanjing Tech University (China), Phenikaa University (Vietnam), and Seoul National University (S. Korea).

“The obvious quality across the shortlists means those individuals and teams who triumph will be exceptional indeed,” THE editor Chris Havergal said in a statement.

The HCDC President’s Council, composed of the Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Teresa P. Fabiania, Vice President for Operations Rommel F. Momo, and Vice President for Finance and Corporate Treasurer Rev. Fr. Emmanuel G. Calumpong, has solidified HCDC’s renewed, revitalized, and restructured vision.

“The 2026 shortlist is bursting with stories of great vision, innovation and dedication across the full range of university activities and stands as a reminder that groundbreaking ideas and the seeds of best practice can flourish in institutions of all sizes and missions,” the editor added.

In his message, school president Br. Noelvic H. Deloria, S.C., emphasized that the recognition reflects HCDC as a responsive and engaging school through time and ahead of its 75th founding anniversary this year.

“We are truly a Catholic school that is… inclusive, and therefore, we continue to be relevant, and this [THE Awards Asia] will give us the kind of assurance that we [HCDC] will be there the next five years and more,” he said.

HCDC looks forward to claiming the top spot and the award at the THE Asia Universities Summit in Hong Kong on April 22 this year.

To note, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 21001:2018 Certificate for the Provisions of Higher Education, Graduate Studies, and Maritime Education and Training Services for the Domestic and International Shipping Industry issued by international certification body TUV NORD Philippines, Inc. was awarded to HCDC in 2024.

The recognition reaffirms HCDC’s continuing efforts to globally-competent quality assurance in education, internationalization, academic excellence, operational strength, and mission-centered leadership as stewards of the community.

HCDC continues to align its initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). (Razl EJ Teman | Cross Media Scholar, Holy Cross of Davao College)