Manila: The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) announced a significant rise in the number of globally-ranked higher education institutions (HEIs) in the Philippines, now totaling 173. This development was highlighted during the ICONS Awards 2025, held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on December 10, where leading universities were celebrated for their global rankings.
According to Philippines News Agency, the CHED's data indicates an impressive 82 percent increase from the 95 HEIs recognized in major global ranking systems in 2024. CHED Chairperson Shirley Agrupis emphasized that the ICONS Awards serve not only as a recognition platform but also as a mechanism for measuring progress and fostering a culture of global engagement within the nation's higher education system.
This year's recognized HEIs demonstrated strong performance across various global ranking systems, including the Times Higher Education (THE) World, Asia, and Impact Rankings, the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings, and the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). Notable institutions awarded include Mariano Marcos State University, Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, University of the Philippines Diliman, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, Quezon City University, Saint Louis University, Ifugao State University, and St. Dominic College of Asia.
In addition to the awards, CHED highlighted the significance of the Tokyo Convention's ratification by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., aligning the country's higher education system with regional standards. Chairperson Agrupis encouraged HEIs to continue advancing reforms and to enhance their global presence by leveraging their academic programs, research, and community engagements to make a meaningful impact on learners and communities.
