The Philippines achieved a 266% increase in the PHEIs entering the WURI 2023 with the addition of 32 new universities in this year’s list. Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (FEU-NRMF) leads the PHEIs at Rank 56 jumping 18 places from its 2022 standing. The FEU-NRMF is joined by six (6) other PHEIs in the Top 100, while the remaining 38 institutions placed in the Rank 101-200.

The WURI is a not-for-profit international ranking program established by the Organizing Committee of the Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU). It evaluates universities’ real contributions to the society, highlighting creative and innovative approaches of universities’ research and educational programs based on the six (6) evaluation categories which are Industrial Application, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Ethical Value, Student Mobility and Openness, Crisis Management, and Fourth Industrial Revolution.

In five of these categories, the Philippines performed better than last year, increasing its total number of HEIs joining the categories’ Top 50. The country performed best in the Fourth Industrial Revolution category after securing 18 places this year. Two years after the introduction of this category, Samar State University defended its Rank 1 title, besting all other HEIs including 17 others from the Philippines.

Debuting in the WURI, Central Luzon State University led the Philippine universities in the Industrial Application category’s Top 50 at Rank 27, and was accompanied by four (4) other PHEIs. FEU Tech still maintained its lead in the Entrepreneurial Spirit category compared to other PHEIs as it secured Rank 34. It is joined by five (5) other PHEIs in the Top 50.

12 PHEIs now joined the Ethical Value category with St. Paul University Philippines leading this group at Rank 24. The Philippine statistics in the Student Mobility and Openness category also doubled with Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) at Rank 22, securing the Philippines’ top spot for the second straight year. TAU is followed by seven (7) other PHEIs in this category.

On the other hand, the Crisis Management category has seen one less PHEI in its Top 50 than the year before. FEU-NRMF led the other five (5) PHEIs in this category at Rank 8.

The WURI is one of the three international ranking bodies, along with the QS and Times Higher Education (THE), acknowledged by CHED pursuant to the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the Republic Act No. 11448 or the “Transnational Higher Education Act.”

The number of Philippine universities being recognized in these renowned international league tables continues to rise following CHED Chairperson Dr. J. Prospero de Vera III’s initiative to internationalize Philippine HEIs and elevate their global reputation by providing massive and targeted government support through student and faculty scholarships in top foreign universities, university-to-university twinning programs and research, and study visits by the PHEIs top executives.

The Philippines’ performance in WURI 2023 continues to prove that it is indeed a country offering exceptional higher education in the ASEAN region and the world. This has been made possible by CHED’s enabling platform through its International Affairs Service (IAS) Office that puts premier to internationalization which propels PHEIs to even greater heights.

Regardless of this year’s results, CHED reminds all PHEIs that the outcome we hope for in our universities is not limited by data nor bounded by the standards established by its peers. Our higher education institutions must never fail to look outside its walls, reach out to its community, and champion sustainability.

Source: https://www.wuri.world/wuri-ranking-2023