WORLD-CLASS QUALITY. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) lauds the Samar State University (SSU) on Tuesday (Aug. 8, 2023) for topping all universities worldwide in the 2023 World University Rankings for Innovation’s (WURI) Fourth Industrial Revolution category for the second time. For this year, the SSU's "3D Visualization of Citywide Geohazard Mapping and Simulation of What-if Scenarios using Geospatial Research and Data Analytics" project garnered the first rank in the category. (Photo courtesy of CHED)
MANILA – The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) on Tuesday said the world-class quality of higher education is not only limited or accessible in Metro Manila.
The CHED made the statement as it lauded the Samar State University (SSU) for topping all universities worldwide in the 2023 World University Rankings for Innovation’s (WURI) 4th Industrial Revolution category.
CHED Chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III said the global ranking indicates the significant progress made by the SSU compared to other international institutions.
"Malinaw na hindi mo na kailangang magpunta sa Metro Manila para makakuha ng dekalidad na edukasyon (It's clear that you don't need to go to Metro Manila to access quality education)," he said.
De Vera said state universities in provinces also offer competitive programs.
“Pwede kang mag-aral sa SSU at iba pang mga pampublikong pamantasan na libre at dekalidad ang mga programa (You may study in SSU and other public universities that offer free and quality programs),” he added.
This is the second time that the SSU garnered the highest spot for its innovative projects.
The WURI recognized the SSU's “3D Visualization of Citywide Geohazard Mapping and Simulation of What-if Scenarios using Geospatial Research and Data Analytics" project this year, as well as its “Smart Edubox ─A Wireless Sensor Based Educational Service Delivery” project last 2022.
SSU president Marilyn Cardoso said these projects are two of the numerous projects made and implemented by its research centers.
"SSU is the only Philippine higher education institution that landed on the highest spot for two consecutive years as WURI analyzes the universities’ real contributions along industrial application; value-creating; social responsibility, ethics, and integrity; student mobility and openness; crisis management; and progress during the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” she said.
The CHED, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and local government units (LGUs) provide support to the SSU's research centers.
Earlier, de Vera vowed to continue boosting internationalization efforts through bridging partnerships between the Philippine higher education institutions (HEIs) and international universities.
He also urged more HEIs to join the global ranking to assess their year-by-year performance and accomplishments.
To date, there are 52 Philippine HEIs included in global ranking cited in WURI, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS World, Asia, and Stars), and Times Higher Education (THE World, Asia, and Impact Rankings). (PNA)
