The Philippines’ higher education sector is taking flight on the global stage. 

The number of Philippine universities recognized for their innovative programs has jumped significantly, with 65 higher education institutions (HEIs) landing spots in the 2024 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) from 44 that made the list last year. 

Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III has expressed optimism, stating that the increasing number of Philippine HEIs in international rankings “shows the globalized outlook and competitiveness of our public and private universities,” and that it is “indeed outstanding.”

This achievement puts the Philippines among the top-performing countries in the rankings, according to CHED.

This recognition is a product of the collective efforts of Philippine HEIs, with support from CHED and the government, said de Vera.

CHED has been assisting universities in forging partnerships and linkages with institutions abroad. Th effort aligns with the national goal of producing world-class professionals in fields like IT, animation, aviation, and game development.

Leading the pack

Far Eastern University (FEU) emerged as the highest-ranked Philippine university on the WURI list this year, claiming the 60th spot.

CHED said it will continue to encourage universities to participate in international assessments to track improvements and enhance their global standing.

These rankings are important because they allow Philippine universities to benchmark themselves against other institutions worldwide.

This self-evaluation helps them identify areas for improvement in teaching, research, public service, and the kind of graduates they produce.

Here’s the top 10 ranked Philippine universities (with their corresponding WURI spots):

• Far Eastern University – Dr. Nicanor Reyes Medical Foundation (60)
• FEU Institute of Technology (72)
• St. Paul University Philippines (78)
• Cebu Normal University (95)
• Biliran Province State University (98)
• Mariano Marcos State University (107)
• Tarlac Agricultural University (110)
• Cebu Technological University (116)
• Samar State University (117)
• Batangas State University (128)