Cebu Normal University (CNU) has begun preparations for its applications to major world university rankings, gathering administrative officials, faculty members, and research and extension chairs from across campuses for a strategy session today.
CNU is set to submit entries this year to three international assessments: the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), which highlights innovation and impact; the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which measure contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); and the UI GreenMetric, which evaluates sustainable practices in waste management, infrastructure, water, and related areas. Submission deadlines fall in October (UI GreenMetric), November (THE), and December (WURI) 2025.
This marks the first time CNU will apply for UI GreenMetric, a ranking system launched by Universitas Indonesia in 2010 to measure universities’ commitment to green campuses and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Janet Mananay, CNU vice president for Special Needs, Early Childhood Education, Internationalization, and Lifelong Learning, emphasized the value of international rankings in building the university’s reputation.
“Joining world rankings reassures stakeholders, attracts international collaborators, opens opportunities for students and faculty, strengthens our efforts in benchmarking and accreditation, and boosts our visibility,” she said.
To bolster CNU’s WURI Ranking 2026 bid, Dr. Mananay announced the launch of WURIWise: 1 Unit, 2 Entries (Year 2) this coming October.
“We are not there yet, but we are no longer where we started. With each challenge we face and each plan we execute, we move closer to the impact we are meant to make,” she added.
CNU has steadily improved in the WURI rankings since its debut in 2022. From an initial placement in the 101–200 bracket for its nursing program, the university climbed to 98th in 2023, 95th in 2024, and reached 81st place in the WURI Top 400 Innovative Universities in 2025.
Dr. Feleeh De Leon-Enanoza, director for Internationalization and Global Citizenship, urged the CNU community to “make an impact not only locally but globally.”
Meanwhile, CNU plans to submit entries to six SDG categories for the THE Impact Rankings: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 15 (Life on Land), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The university made its debut in THE Impact
this year with an overall rank of 1501+.
During the session titled Re-empowering CNU: Onboarding for Global Reputation 2026 at the CNU Library Function Room, Dr. Evelyn Gimarino (CNU Main), Dr. Maricel Rivera (CNU Medellin), and Sarah Jane Trazo (CNU Balamban) shared their best practices in preparing entries for WURI 2025.
Dr. Rivera underscored the importance of pursuing relevant and high-impact projects.
“We made it to the Top 100… We did it with sincere intention,” she said, adding that the recognition has inspired them to strive further.
For his part, Dr. Reynaldo Inocian, dean of the College of Teacher Education, described these initiatives as vital to CNU’s pursuit of global competitiveness.
“These efforts are part of our continuing quest for excellence in meeting globalization standards,” he said in his closing remarks.
