The University of Northern Philippines has achieved a major international milestone in the 2025 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), securing its place in the Top 400 Innovative Universities in the World.
This recognition underscores UNP’s commitment to innovation, community engagement, and values-driven education. UNP’s recognition is further elevated by its strong performance in three core WURI categories. The university placed 3rd globally in Industrial Application, 3rd in Ethics and Integrity, and 9th in Student Support and Engagement. These rankings reflect the university’s focused initiatives in connecting education with societal needs, demonstrating a purposeful approach to instruction, research, and extension.
In the Industrial Application category, UNP’s programs were commended for translating academic knowledge into practical solutions. These include strong collaborations with industry and government sectors, as well as the successful implementation of community-based technologies that support local livelihoods and development. Meanwhile, its high ranking in Ethics and Integrity reflects not only the university’s commitment to service-oriented programs but also its strong stance on ethical research and publication practices. UNP has institutionalized rigorous standards for academic integrity, ensuring that faculty and students are guided by responsible authorship, transparency in methodology, respect for intellectual property, and the prevention of plagiarism. These practices, embedded in the university’s research culture, ensure that its scholarly output contributes meaningfully and ethically to both local and global knowledge systems. The university also received global recognition for its efforts in Student Support and Engagement. This achievement emphasizes the university’s comprehensive student-centered programs, which include academic advising, mental health support, leadership training, community involvement, and initiatives that strengthen student well-being and active participation in campus life.
Instrumental to this achievement is the leadership of the University President, Dr. Erwin F. Cadorna, whose forward-looking strategies have aligned the university’s academic priorities with global innovation standards. Under his administration, UNP has expanded its institutional research agenda, strengthened partnerships with industry and civil society, and fostered a culture of excellence in instruction, research, and extension. His support for global benchmarking and inclusive academic reform has empowered various units of the university to pursue initiatives that meet international standards while remaining grounded in the needs of local communities.
The university’s performance in WURI 2025 was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the WURI Technical Working Group and the WURI Team, composed of administrators, faculty members, and staff who worked hard for this global journey. Their work captured the breadth and depth of the university’s contributions to innovation and social transformation. Equally important was the active involvement of students and partner communities who brought the university’s programs to life and ensured their real-world impact.
The World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), organized by the Hanseatic League of Universities in cooperation with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), recognizes universities for their real-world impact, highlighting innovation in education, research, and community engagement over traditional academic metrics.
As UNP celebrates its inclusion in this year’s global placement and strong category rankings, it continues to strengthen its programs and deepen its engagement with communities, industries, and international partners. The university looks forward to further advancing its visibility and influence in future editions of the WURI rankings through ongoing innovation and service-centered development.
Article by Randolf Agup.
