The Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2) has recognized five universities as the country’s most research-productive, first-tier comprehensive higher education institutions (HEIs).

These universities, identified in the EDCOM 2 study “Establishing Targeted Human Resource Development Partnerships between the Philippines’ First Tier Research-Intensive HEIs and Second Tier Research-Intensive SUCs,” are the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD), De La Salle University (DLSU), Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, and Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology. 

They were chosen for their consistent output of at least 150 Scopus-indexed papers annually over five years, a criterion based on the Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THE-WURs).

Scopus-indexed papers are scholarly works included in Elsevier’s Scopus database. They must meet Scopus’s criteria for journal quality, editorial processes, and academic impact.

The EDCOM 2 study highlights the growth in research output of these universities from 2011 to 2022. 

For example, UPD’s Scopus paper production rose from 273 in 2011 to 788 in 2022, while DLSU’s increased from 137 to 974 in the same period. 

The study selected comprehensive first-tier HEIs in the National Capital Region (NCR) with strong capabilities to mentor second-tier regional state universities and colleges (SUCs). 

UP Los Baños, UP Manila, and Mapua University met THE-WUR’s research productivity standards but were not considered comprehensive HEIs and were set aside.

“Except for MSU-IIT, the five first-tier comprehensive research intensive HEIs are concentrated in NCR but these are certainly capable of incubating the research capacities of their ward SUCs,” according to the report.

“The improvement of our country’s annual research production can only be efficiently and sustainably attained if the country assists and supports the transition of its carefully selected HEIs into research universities,” it adds.

Identifying these top research-intensive HEIs paves the way for the proposed Targeted Human Resource Development Partnership Program (THRDPP), which will match them with second-tier research-intensive SUCs based on their disciplinary strengths.

The program aims to build a significant number of research-capable people and higher education institutions (HEIs) nationwide. 

By pairing top research universities with second-tier state universities based on their strengths, it helps the country develop a strong base of skilled researchers and HEIs.

The THRDPP will be managed by the Commission on Higher Education or the National Research Council of the Philippines. Its success will be measured by the increase in Scopus-listed papers from partner colleges.