The release of the 2025 WURI Rankings once again reaffirmed the University of Baguio’s (UB) status as a pillar of academic excellence, public service, and community support, showcasing its excellent performance both nationally and globally.
The World University Rankings for Innovation, also known as WURI, is a ranking system that assesses the contributions of higher education institutions to industry and society. The evaluation is based on sixteen (16) categories, all of which are crafted to target different aspects of societal advancement. Universities that are included in the annual WURI assessments are recognized for their real-world contributions to industry and society, especially in education, research, and community engagement.
Aside from its excellent overall global and Philippine ranking, UB also garnered impressive ranks in three different categories: Student Mobility, Empowerment-Based Management, and University Brand and Reputation.
A2 Student Mobility
Under this category, WURI focuses on innovative projects and programs that promote domestic and international exchange and collaboration between different educational institutions.
UB hosts a wide range of student mobility programs, including academic and cultural exchange programs with partner universities and adjacent organizations that promote knowledge-sharing and learning beyond the classroom. This year’s WURI entry highlighted the SustainaTalks: Advocating Change for Tomorrow (ACT). Led by the School of International Hospitality and Tourism Management (SIHTM), the project centers around student mobility; it aims to develop critical skills like cross-cultural communication, global problem-solving, and sustainable tourism practices. Through this program, students are given the opportunity to connect with experts from international institutions from all over the world to broaden their knowledge base. To date, approximately 20,000 participants globally have participated in this activity.
This program was championed by Dean Jenelyn Magpatoc, with Lauren Kaye Navarro serving as the program initiator. Their contributing team members include Vryx Kervin Bides (the team’s main writer), Joanna Marie Villavicencio, and Rachel Grace Liclican.
B2 Empowerment-Based Management
In this category, WURI looks into the programs led by an institution’s leaders and their bearing on the development of the faculty, staff, students, and external partners.
Embracing dynamic projects that empower the institution and its constituents is integral to UB’s operations. The university’s entry into this category highlighted STELLARS: Supporting Transformation, Empowerment, and Lifelong Learning through Academic Resources and Services. A project of the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA), it was established in 2022 with the aim of providing a diverse range of opportunities for professional growth, community engagement, and student success within and outside of the university.
This program was championed and initiated by Dr. Aida Dapiawen alongside her contributors Beverly Laltoog (the team’s main writer), Gloria Nacua, and Jeaneth Maicle.
B8 University Brand and Reputation
This category examines how the institution incorporates creative and innovative strategies in its media campaigns and endorsements in the service of upholding and enhancing the institution’s identity.
As part of its brand identity, UB has an ongoing campaign named after its iconic slogan: It’s All Up Here. The campaign embodies the university’s pursuit of excellence and the continued drive to elevate the quality of its education and auxiliary services. These distinctions cement the University of Baguio’s position as a pillar of academic distinction in the Philippines and on a global scale, recognizing the institution’s efforts in building an inclusive and sustainable academic community that can support both local and international students from all walks of life.
This program was championed and initiated by Melanie Rulla-Saro alongside contributors Thea Sherina Cathelin Rillera, Julius Simon (both of whom served as the writers of the team), and Jera Mae Cachapero.
The World University Rankings for Innovation aim to recognize Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that go beyond traditional academic performance metrics. It promotes innovation, real-world impact, and social responsibility, highlighting universities that foster industry collaboration, empower students, and embrace global openness. It encourages the adoption of agile and forward-thinking governance, paving the way for a dynamic and perpetually transformative environment where education has the room to grow and develop according to the needs of the global community. It celebrates not just academic excellence, but also their responsiveness to the evolving needs of society and the future workforce.
As UB continues on its journey to provide balanced quality education in a fun learning environment, it aims to continue strengthening its programs to meet the growing demands of an increasingly diverse and dynamic world. Applying for rankings such as WURI is integral to ensuring that the university’s standards meet those of international institutions, ensuring that it can meet the needs of every learner who walks through its doors.
Congratulations to the University of Baguio and everyone who contributed to this significant milestone!
