We express our heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Eiji Tomida and Asst Prof Von Ralph Dane Marquez Herbuela from the Faculty of Education, Ehime University, Japan, for their visit. We eagerly anticipate the implementation of our partnership between UPLB and Ehime University, specifically the exciting prospect of launching the PhD by Research program in Human Development. Together, we look forward to fostering a fruitful collaboration and advancing academic excellence.