CABANATUAN CITY – The Commission on Higher Education Regional Office III (CHEDRO-3) has honored two state universities in Nueva Ecija for their inclusion in the 2025 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), alongside other top-performing higher education institutions (HEIs) in Central Luzon.
During “Luminescence 26: Glowing with Excellence)”, 26 higher education institutions (HEIs) from Central Luzon were recognized for their innovative contributions in education, research, and community development.
Among them, 15 institutions earned spots in the WURI Top 400 Global Rankings, solidifying Central Luzon’s emerging role as a hub of innovation and academic excellence.
These accomplishments reflect the message delivered by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in his 2025 State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he commended the increasing global recognition of Philippine universities and colleges.
“Kung kalidad lang din ang pag-uusapan, hindi nagpapahuli ang mga unibersidad at kolehiyo natin dito sa bansa. Mula sa dalawampu’t dalawa noong 2022, ngayon isandaan at labing-apat na sa kanila ay kinikilala sa buong mundo. Animnapu nito ay public school,” the President stated.
In Nueva Ecija, Central Luzon State University (CLSU) and the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST) were among the notable achievers.
CLSU made a remarkable leap, climbing to 118th globally, a 17-place improvement from the previous year.
The university ranked 5th in the Funding for Sustainability category with its initiative “FARM-ER POWER: Sowing Innovation, Harvesting Sustainability,” which showcased innovative strategies to diversify funding and ensure long-term financial resilience.
CLSU also secured the 5th spot in the Cost-Benefit Management category with its rice production project “Rice Up: Growing Grains, Greater Gains,” and ranked 23rd in SDG-Based Responses to Global Challenges for its “Goats for Global Goal” program.
The latter aims to improve the socio-economic status of farmers by enhancing small ruminant genetics, adopting sustainable feed and disease control practices, and developing high-quality products from goats and sheep.
Meanwhile, NEUST was globally ranked 254th, with notable placements in several categories.
It ranked 17th in Empowerment-Based Management through its community development initiative “The BRIDGE Project,” 29th in Student Mobility and Openness for “Project iLEARN,” and 30th in Visionary Leadership with its transformative program “NEUST Reimagined: A Program Towards Innovative Horizon Leadership.”
CHEDRO-3 Director IV Lora Yusi lauded the HEIs for transcending into greater heights and striving to serve communities with purpose.
She also expressed her gratitude to the pioneering schools for internationalization who have supported and mentored other institutions on improving their operations and reaching global excellence.
Institutions across the region were also recognized for excellence in other WURI categories, including Student Support and Engagement, Entrepreneurial Spirit, Ethics and Integrity, Industrial Application, Crisis Management, Technology Development and Application, and others.
Other recognized HEIs from Central Luzon include Aurora State College of Technology, Bataan Peninsula State University, Bulacan State University, Bulacan Agricultural State College, President Ramon Magsaysay State University, Pampanga State University, Pampanga State Agricultural University, Tarlac State University, Tarlac Agricultural University, Polytechnic College of Botolan, Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, Centro Escolar University, City College of San Fernando (Pampanga), NU Clark, Mabalacat City College, Holy Angel University, Our Lady of Fatima University, Systems Plus Colleges Foundation, Wesleyan University-Philippines, Limay Polytechnic College, Gordon College, La Consolacion University Philippines, World Citi Colleges Guimba Campus, and Angeles University Foundation.
CHEDRO-3 reaffirmed its commitment to support the continuous growth of HEIs toward sustainability, purpose-driven service, and internationalization. (MJSC/CNG,PIA Region 3-Nueva Ecija)