West Visayas State University (WVSU) more than doubled its previous recognitions after earning 14 awards at the 4th Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Quality Awards, held May 28, 2025, at the Rose Memorial Auditorium, Central Philippine University in Jaro, Iloilo City.
The awards, given in celebration of CHED’s 31st anniversary and the 5th Higher Education Day, recognized the university’s excellence in board exam performance, research, internationalization, instruction, and institutional innovation.
WVSU had previously received seven awards each in the 2023 and 2024 editions. This year’s 14 distinctions mark its highest number of honors to date, reinforcing its vision as a research university advancing quality education toward societal transformation and global recognition.
Among the awards received were:
1. Recognition for Support to CHED Regional Office VI Endeavors
2. Outstanding Performance in the Nursing Licensure Examination – Rank 1, 100% passing rate, Category A (100 and above examinees), November 2024
3. Outstanding Performance in the Physician Licensure Examination – Rank 7, 87% passing rate, Category A, October 2024
4. Outstanding Performance in the Librarians Computer-Based Licensure Examination – Rank 1, 100% passing rate, Category C (10 or more examinees), September 2024
5. Outstanding Performance in the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers – Elementary Level – Rank 1, 96.43% passing rate, Category A, September 2024
6. Outstanding Performance in the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers – Secondary Level – Rank 2, 96.77% passing rate, Category B (100 to 299 examinees), September 2024
7. Award for Excellence in Research
8. Award for Excellence in Internationalization
9. Award for Excellence in Peace Education
10. Award for Excellence in Indigenous Peoples Education
11. Model Implementation – Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS)
12. Model Implementation – Scholarships for Instructors’ Knowledge Advancement Program (SIKAP)
13. QS Asia University Rankings – 901+ bracket
14. WURI (World’s Universities with Real Impact) Rankings
The Regional Quality Awards recognize the achievements and contributions of higher education institutions in instruction, research, extension, and institutional development. CHED also acknowledged partner organizations during the ceremony.
WVSU President Dr. Joselito F. Villaruz accepted the awards on behalf of the university, accompanied by key officials:
• Dr. Ma. Asuncion Christine V. Dequilla, Vice President for Academic Affairs
• Dr. Greta G. Gabinete, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Extension
• Dr. Elizabeth A. Magallanes, Director for Quality Assurance
• Dr. Joel A. Araquil, Sr., Campus Administrator of the College of Agriculture and Forestry
• Dr. Ma. Beth S. Concepcion, Dean of the College of Information and Communications Technology (CICT)
• Dr. Victor A. Amantillo, Jr., Dean of the College of Medicine
• Dr. Ricky M. Magno, Dean of the College of Education
• Dr. Ryan Michael F. Oducado, Director of the University Research and Development Center
• Prof. Edel Carmela S. Subong-Csoka, Director of the International and Local Linkages Office
• Dr. Rejie F. Palmos, Coordinator of the WVSU Center for Peace Education
• Dr. Jemuel B. Garcia, Jr., Faculty of the College of PESCAR
• Prof. Stephen B. Alayon, Faculty of CICT
• Ms. Rhoda Mae G. Laspiñas, Faculty of the College of Nursing
WVSU Irong-Irong Dance Company graced the Rose Memorial Hall with an intermission number, showcasing Filipino folk dances with grace and passion.
Dr. Villaruz took to the stage on behalf of the awardees to thank CHED for acknowledging the efforts of higher education institutions (HEIs) in improving the quality of education in Western Visayas where he highlighted that the duty of HEIs at the helm of Western Visayas education goes beyond meeting parameters and criteria, concluding his speech with a call to action: “to keep moving forward, to keep transforming generations through the power of education.”
This milestone reflects WVSU’s steadfast culture of excellence and its commitment to transforming generations through the globally competitive and socially engaged brand of education known as “Taga-West.”
Text by DO Callosa/PAMCO
Photos by DO Callosa, JA Temelo/PAMCO
