Category: News

West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of Business and Management (CBM) advances its global engagement initiatives as it embarks on an academic and industry immersion program with Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Malaysia from December 7 to 11, 2025.

CBM Dean Dr. Raymund Moreno, along with six faculty members and 11 students, was welcomed by UiTM Deputy Dean for Industry Linkages Prof. Dr. Chemah Tamby Chik.

A series of academic engagements follow as WVSU-CBM meets with UiTM’s Faculty of Hotel and Tourism Management (FHTM). Faculty members from both institutions participate in collaborative sharing sessions that highlight ongoing research, best practices, and academic insights. These sessions are complemented by a cultural showcase and networking lunch, providing avenues for deeper interaction. The delegation also tours the faculty facilities and library, gaining firsthand exposure to UiTM’s academic environment.

The delegation then proceeds with activities under the Faculty of Business and Management (FBM), which include a courtesy meeting with the dean, a guided tour of the FBM campus, and an international seminar hosted by the Institute of Business Excellence (IBE). Selected WVSU faculty members deliver 10-minute research presentations, featuring diverse academic disciplines and research outputs. Dr. Ma. Flora C. Collado serves as the keynote speaker, emphasizing the importance of academic collaboration and global knowledge exchange.

UiTM highlights that the Malaysia Immersion Program aims to build stronger international collaborations, enrich research linkages, and provide meaningful global exposure to participating faculty members and students. The initiative also reflects the shared vision of both universities to promote academic excellence through cross-cultural learning and institutional partnerships.

Through this program, WVSU-CBM continues to expand its global footprint, strengthening its internationalization efforts and fostering impactful academic relationships beyond the Philippines.

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West Visayas State University (WVSU) has climbed to World Rank 521 in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025, placing 1st in Region VI, 18th in the Philippines, and 294th in Asia, solidifying its standing as one of the country’s leading sustainable universities.

Now on its 15th edition, the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings assessed 1,745 institutions from 105 countries, making it the world’s largest university ranking focused on sustainability performance. This year introduces the theme “Advancing Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education: Stories from Our Institutions and Communities,” highlighting how universities integrate sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement.

WVSU’s performance reflects its efforts across all six dimensions measured by UI GreenMetric—setting and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste management, water conservation, transportation systems, and sustainability-focused education and research. These criteria, composed of 39 indicators, evaluate how universities manage their physical environment, implement green policies, conserve resources, reduce emissions, and embed sustainability into academic and community programs.

As WVSU continues to participate in the global UI GreenMetric network, its achievements contribute to broader national and international efforts to promote clean energy, climate action, sustainable development, and green innovation. The 2025 ranking offers both recognition and motivation for the university to enhance its programs and deepen its integration of sustainability within all aspects of institutional life.

West Visayas State University (WVSU) strengthened its international environmental engagement as its DagYoung Student Ambassadors (DSA) took part in the high-level celebration of the Blue Nations Initiative and Youth & Oceans Program on December 3, 2025, at Makati Diamond Residences.

The event marked the culmination of a two-year partnership between France and the Philippines dedicated to advancing marine conservation and climate action. Held in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement (COP21), the gathering highlighted the achievements of both the Blue Nations Initiative and the Youth & Oceans Program, which has supported eleven civil society projects across the country in mobilizing grassroots environmental action.

Representing WVSU were DSA Chairperson Aihrich M. Toreres, Special Projects Coordinator Johnric G. Vargas, and Education and Training Coordinator Amabela Fiona Le B. Benid, who showcased the university’s flagship marine conservation program, Sanctuarium Maris. Funded by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, the project positions WVSU’s student ambassadors, the internationalization arm of the university’s International and Local Linkages Office (ILLO).

During the program, Her Excellency Marie Fontanel, Ambassador of France to the Philippines, reaffirmed France’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with the Philippine government, emphasizing new opportunities for collaboration in strategic sectors ahead of France’s assumption of the G7 Chairmanship in 2026. The WVSU delegation also met His Excellency Gilberto Fonseca Guimarães de Moura, Ambassador of Brazil to the Philippines, who expressed support for youth-led conservation initiatives and coastal protection efforts.

Since its launch in January 2025, the Sanctuarium Maris project has conducted a series of capacity-building activities for the Tigbauan coastal community. These include training on sea turtle biology, conservation and rescue protocols, artificial nest net-making, and simulations for nest protection. The project also held a workshop on drafting environmental ordinances aimed at institutionalizing local conservation efforts.

A significant outcome of this initiative is the passage of Barangay Atabayan Ordinance No. 2025-004, titled “An Ordinance Creating a Sea Turtle Nest Protection Program, Providing Guidelines for Conservation and Appropriating Funds Thereof.” With guidance from the WVSU College of Law, the ordinance established a legal framework that now strengthens sea turtle conservation efforts in the Tigbauan coastline.

The event concluded with a Cocktail and Civil Society Networking Session, where WVSU presented visibility materials and project outputs, highlighting the university’s growing role in youth-driven climate action and marine conservation. Through its continued participation in global environmental initiatives, WVSU reaffirms its commitment to building resilient communities, empowering local leaders, and fostering globally engaged student advocates for sustainable development.

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West Visayas State University (WVSU) strengthens its regional and international presence, placing 219th with a score of 31.56 in the 2026 ALL ASIA Public University Rankings by AppliedHE, signaling its drive to meet global academic standards.

Since its inception in 2021, Singapore-based AppliedHE has been producing university rankings to assess and compare institutions across Asia. The rankings are based on a comprehensive methodology that evaluates institutions using institutional data, bibliometric indicators, student surveys, and peer-nomination surveys.

Six key criteria guide the assessment: Teaching and Learning (40%), Employability (15% for public universities), Research (15% for public universities), Community Engagement (10%), Internationalization (10%), and Institutional Reputation (10%). A log-normalization process is applied to certain metrics, and all data are validated to ensure accuracy.

WVSU’s inclusion in the Public University Ranking – ALL ASIA 2026 highlights its compliance with these high standards, reflecting accredited degree programs, active faculty and student engagement, research excellence, strong employability outcomes, and international collaboration.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO

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Marking a significant milestone in West Visayas State University’s international research engagement, Dr. Resti Tito H. Villarino, Assistant Professor III of the College of Nursing, is currently undertaking a four-week research mobility program in La Rochelle, France, from November 19 to December 19 as one of only eight scholars selected for the prestigious Séjours Scientifiques de Haut Niveau (SSHN) 2025 Scholarship awarded by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia.

The scholarship selection was highly competitive, with 37 applications submitted from 22 institutions across the country and only eight research projects chosen for funding.

The research mobility enabled Dr. Villarino to advance his public health study at Excelia Business School under the mentorship of Dr. Lili Zheng, Associate Professor and HDR-accredited research supervisor. His project, “Analyzing Barriers to Electronic Health Record (EHR) Adoption in Philippine Public Hospitals: A Push-Pull-Mooring Perspective with Integrated TAM and DOI Insights,” examines the persistent challenges faced by healthcare institutions in implementing electronic health records.

During his stay, Dr. Villarino was integrated into Excelia’s CERIIM Research Center, where he was provided a dedicated workspace equipped with essential research materials. He gained full access to the institution’s extensive library resources, academic databases, and statistical tools such as SPSS and AMOS, which supported the advancement of his data analysis and manuscript development. His mobility experience also allowed him to participate in academic seminars, research group meetings, and faculty consultations, enabling productive scholarly engagement within Excelia’s research community.

Excelia’s technical and administrative teams offered continuous logistical support, ensuring a smooth and enriching mobility period. In her remarks, Dr. Zheng commended Dr. Villarino’s research progress and emphasized the project’s potential to offer meaningful insights into EHR adoption challenges in Philippine public hospitals while strengthening international academic collaboration.

This ongoing research mobility continues to strengthen the partnership between France and WVSU, particularly in the areas of research, internationalization, and capacity building.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO

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Demonstrating its growing role in international education, West Visayas State University (WVSU) took part in the US–PH Global Partnership Level II Workshop: Creating Transformative Learning Experiences for U.S. Students in the Philippines, held on November 18–19, 2025.

Representing WVSU were Ms. Edel Carmela Subong-Csoka, Director of the International and Local Linkages Office, and Ms. Alisa Mei Locsin, Information Officer I. WVSU was among the 16 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from across the country that participated in this national capacity-building initiative.

Organized by the Philippine-American Educational Foundation (PAEF), the workshop strengthened the ongoing collaboration between the United States and the Philippines in expanding international education opportunities. The program forms part of PAEF’s efforts to advance student mobility and support the Consortium for Study Abroad in the Philippines, a new initiative designed to streamline processes, enhance on-the-ground support, and encourage more U.S. students to pursue academic and cultural immersion in the country.

The two-day workshop focused on equipping Philippine HEIs with the knowledge and competencies needed to design, host, and implement culturally grounded and academically rigorous study abroad programs. Dr. Nick J. Gozik, Dean of Global Education at Elon University, facilitated the sessions and provided expert insights on best practices for preparing institutions to welcome U.S. students. Key discussions touched on the rebound of global study abroad participation, the continued underrepresentation of Asia in international mobility trends, and the emerging opportunities for the Philippines as a study-abroad destination.

The workshop emphasized the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad, recognized as the global framework for program quality and assessment. These standards guide institutions in program development, stakeholder communication, resource allocation, safety protocols, and the cultivation of respectful and sustainable international partnerships.

Throughout the sessions, participants examined strategies for strong institutional coordination, highlighting the importance of clear communication channels, designated points of contact, and alignment among key units such as the registrar, housing services, and international offices. The workshop also underscored the critical role of faculty engagement, academic resource support, and student involvement in creating enriching study-abroad experiences.

Student support and integration were central themes, with discussions emphasizing the need for well-planned orientation programs, accessible campus facilities, peer networks, and holistic safety and wellness measures. Institutions were encouraged to adopt proactive, empathetic, and collaborative approaches in addressing the diverse needs of visiting students.

During the networking session, WVSU engaged with other institutions and organizations, exploring collaborative opportunities in joint program development, faculty exchange, and future student mobility initiatives. These conversations strengthened the University’s linkages and opened new prospects for international partnerships aligned with its growing internationalization agenda.

With its active participation in this national initiative, WVSU reaffirmed its commitment to expanding global engagement and enhancing international academic collaboration.

By Gladwyn B. Gustilo/ILLO

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