By Hilda Austria
URDANETA CITY, Pangasinan – Eighteen higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Ilocos Region have made it to the 2025 World University Rankings for Innovations (WURI), up from six in 2022 to 2024. WURI is a global ranking system that evaluates universities based on their real-world contributions and innovative approaches to higher education.
The internationally ranked HEIs in the Global Top 400 Innovative Universities are Urdaneta City University (44th), Mariano Marcos State University (89th), Lyceum-Northwestern University (176th), Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University (178th), Panpacific University (194th), University of Northern Philippines (219th), Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College (264th), WCC Aeronautical and Technological College, Inc. (265th), Northwestern University, Inc. (267th), Pangasinan State University (276th), University of Luzon (288th), Lorma Colleges (290th), Philippine College of Science and Technology (369th), Union Christian College, Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation, Inc. (370th), and University of Eastern Pangasinan (398th).
Panpacific University, a private HEI, was recognized fourth in the world and second in the country, behind University of Northern Philippines, for Ethics and Integrity.
In the Innovation categories, Urdaneta City University ranked No. 1 in the Philippines and 44th worldwide, dominating several key category ranks such as Industrial Application, Student Mobility Openness and SDG-Based Responses to Global Challenges.
Meanwhile, Northwestern University, Inc. bagged the third spot in the world ranking and first in the country in Visionary Leadership; Mariano Marcos State University landed fifth in the world and fourth in the country in Empowered-Based Management; Saint Louis College of San Fernando, La Union was 37th in Crisis Management; and Union Christian College was 36th in Student Support and Engagement.
“What we are presenting to the world is that many good universities exist outside the national capital. We are changing people’s perception by giving universities the chance to improve and compete with the best in the Philippines,” Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Ilocos Region Director Dr. Christine Ferrer said during a press conference at the Timpuyog: ASEAN Conference at Pangasinan State University-Lingayen on Monday.
“Now, when we also embrace internationalization, we embrace sustainability, civic-mindedness, and being responsible for our students. I always emphasize that we are not producing numbers of graduates, but we are producing quality graduates that are really ready to work in the industries that we need,” she said.
Ferrer said their program provides ongoing mentoring to help other HEIs achieve international rankings and gain global recognition. There are 92 HEIs in the Ilocos Region.
Pangasinan Polytechnic College president Raymundo Rovillos said rankings are essential in terms of quality education. “We see how we are faring with the rest of the world, to what extent are we developing competencies for our students.” he said.
Ferrer said they are continuously working with the Department of Labor and Employment and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to address employability issues and close existing gaps. (PNA)