𝗥𝟭 𝗛𝗘𝗜𝗦 𝗣𝗢𝗦𝗧 𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗡𝗚 𝗚𝗔𝗜𝗡𝗦 𝗜𝗡 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗪𝗨𝗥𝗜 𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Region 1 posted strong gains in the 2026 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), with 15 of 16 HEIs improving their standings, reflecting a 93.75-percent increase in rankings.

The results, released on May 6, 2026, also showed Urdaneta City University retaining its distinction as the highest-ranked Philippine HEI among institutions included in the overall rankings after climbing from 44th place in 2025 to 28th place this year.

“This strong performance underscores the region’s sustained commitment to innovation, internationalization, and continuous quality improvement in higher education,” said Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego, CESO III, Director IV of CHED Region 1.

The number of Region 1 HEIs included in the overall rankings also increased from 16 last year to 17 this year, following the entry of Universidad de Dagupan into the global Top 500 Innovative Universities list, where it debuted at 337th place.

Other Region 1 institutions have the following rankings:
• Mariano Marcos State University — 89 → 60
• Lyceum-Northwestern University — 176 → 129
• Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University — 178 → 131
• Panpacific University — 194 → 142
• University of Northern Philippines — 219 → 162
• Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College — 264 → 204
• WCC Aeronautical and Technological College — 265 → 205
• Pangasinan State University — 276 → 212
• University of Luzon — 288 → 229
• Lorma Colleges — 290 → 232
• Northwestern University — 267 → 269
• Philippine College of Science and Technology — 369 → 299
• Virgen Milagrosa University Foundation — 370 → 299
• Union Christian College — 370 → 321
• University of Eastern Pangasinan — 398 → 322

To sustain its momentum, CHED Region 1 continues to implement Project FLAIR (Filipino Leaders in Advancing International Reputation), an internationalization masterclass program, with the help of the Internationalization Relations Officers Council (IROC).

“Through this mechanism, experienced internationalization officers mentor newly engaged HEIs committed to joining global rankings, guiding them in strengthening internationalization strategies, research productivity, and institutional readiness for global competitiveness,” said Dr. Al Gerald Barde, CHED Region 1 Education Supervisor II and focal person for internationalization.

The WURI is an international ranking system that evaluates universities based on real-world impact, innovation, and contributions to society and industry.