Tarlac State University lauded the project leaders, implementers, and committee members of WURI and THE Impact Rankings during the recognition program titled "International Rankings: TSU Quality Journey" held on Thursday morning (August 15) at the TSU Hotel, Lucinda Campus.
The Office of Quality Assurance organized the program to celebrate the university's 279th rank out of 1,072 higher education institutions worldwide in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2024 Global Top 300 Innovative Universities and the 1001+ ranking in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2024 under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
"Committee heads and members are highly motivated to strive even harder when they receive even the slightest acknowledgment of their efforts, especially in international recognition. Performing individuals who receive recognition stand out for their hard work and inspire others to do the same," TSU President Dr. Arnold E. Velasco said in his speech.
He commended the people behind the success of the international rankings, namely OQA Director Dr. Niño B. Corpuz, WURI Focal Person, Ms. Liana Faith Q. De Leon, WURI focal person, THE Impact Rankings Focal Person Engr. Emir Lenard S.F. Sicangco, and the committee members and implementers of the ranked projects.
"I appreciate your outstanding work on Times Higher Education and WURI, which assesses our profound engagement in internationalization," Pres. Velasco added.
Moreover, Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Agnes M. Macaraeg vowed to work closely with the OQA, along with the deans and academic directors, to sustain the university's culture of quality, especially in internationalization.
"Rest assured that our support to quality assurance will remain. Remember that since the time we started our journey to quality assurance, we have already had this culture of quality in us. At sabi nga po ni Will A. Foster, 'Quality is never an accident,' rather, it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent direction through our teamwork," VP Macaraeg said.
"Through our collaboration, now we are receiving this kind of recognition. Sir Niño cannot do it alone without the contribution of his staff. But through our collaborative work, through our teamwork, everything will be possible toward internationalization," she added.
According to Dr. Corpuz, HEIs are considered complex and dynamic. He said the university should develop a sound mechanism to practice and excel in quality by properly integrating global standards, such as the SDGs, an essential strategic process to sustain quality education and services.
He also said that the awards from the two international evaluating bodies are clear indications that the university is profoundly "serious" in committing to enhance and support internationalization for global connectivity and mobility.
The WURI, an international ranking system, assesses higher education institutions' societal impacts, research outputs, contributions to the industry, and innovative approaches to education. These rankings aim to recognize the HEIs' efforts and inspire societal advancements and contributions to society.
Of the 2,880 programs collected, three entries from the university were selected to be part of the top 100 universities. TSU ranked 30th for Student Support and Engagement (A1), 39th in Crisis Management (A5), and 52nd in Funding (B2).
Meanwhile, THE Impact Rankings ranks universities in the SDGs for which they have provided data since it is the first global attempt to measure university progress around the SDGs, according to their published methodology.
The focal persons for both international rankings once again sought the TSU community's cooperation in the succeeding submission of data and entries for the next evaluation cycle.
Engr. Sicangco encouraged all TSU personnel to continue documenting and posting contributions and best practices on social media pages and the TSU website, as these would be considered online evidence in THE Impact Rankings for 2025.
On the other hand, Ms. De Leon said the committee and the OQA will visit offices and colleges to check for more innovative projects with societal impact for WURI 2025.
Aside from the university's executives, TSU Board of Regents members Hon. Christine Anne Corazon A. Lamorena, Hon. Fidel S. Feliciano, and Hon. Dennis Norman T. Go joined the program to award the workforce behind the international rankings. (jlmm-OPA)
WORLD UNIVERSITY RANKINGS FOR INNOVATION (WURI) 2024 COMMITTEE
- Prof. Gherold C. Benitez
- Mr. Marlon C. Dela Cruz
- Dr. Marlon V. Gamido
- Dr. Rommel M. Hernandez
- Prof. Augusto N. Lulu, Jr.
- Prof. Jazzel Llaneli M. Manabat
- Dr. Leah T. Matias
- Ms. Jodie Andrea G. Pangilinan
- Dr. Wilmark J. Ramos
- Prof. Mary Jane N. Rigor
- Dr. Myrel Santiago
- Ms. Maricor Cheska B. Santos
- Engr. Emir Lenard S.F. Sicangco
- Prof. Bryan Christopher C. Sico
- Dr. Ninez B. Tulo
TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION (THE) IMPACT RANKINGS 2024 COMMITTEE
- Mr. Marlon C. Dela Cruz
- Engr. Joshua Jay E. Jetomo
- Prof. Jazzel Llaneli M. Manabat
- Prof. Maria Shiela G. Medina
- Ms. Jay Ann L. Pablo
- Ms. Jodie Andrea G. Pangilinan
- Ms. Maricor Cheska B. Santos
- Dr. Ninez B. Tulo
- Engr. Emir Lenard S.F. Sicangco
Photo by Franc Lewis R. Juanatas
