Innovation took center stage anew for Cebu Normal University (CNU) as all three of its campuses posted significant improvements in the 2026 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), affirming the University’s growing influence in transformative and socially responsive education.
Leading the charge was CNU Main, which surged to 57th place in the Global Top 500 Innovative Universities, a notable leap from its 81st-place standing in 2025.
CNU Medellin also advanced from 193rd to 151st place, while CNU Balamban climbed from 384th to 311th, reflecting a collective institutional rise anchored on innovation, sustainability, and community impact.
Beyond the overall rankings, CNU also secured multiple placements in WURI’s prestigious Top 100 categories, highlighting the University’s strengths across diverse areas of innovation.
CNU Medellin earned global recognition in Entrepreneurial Culture and Ecosystem (A4), placing 10th worldwide — the highest among all CNU campuses this year. The recognition underscores the campus’ efforts in nurturing innovation-driven learning environments and empowering students through entrepreneurial initiatives.
Meanwhile, CNU Main sustained its strong performance in applied and socially responsive education. It ranked 26th globally in Industrial Application (A3), 89th in Social Impact through Knowledge Transfer (C5), and 95th in Crisis Management (A5), showcasing the University’s commitment to translating academic expertise into practical and community-centered solutions.
CNU Balamban likewise secured a place in the global spotlight after ranking 74th in Funding for Sustainability (B5), highlighting the campus’ initiatives toward long-term institutional resilience and sustainable development.
The latest results build on CNU’s growing momentum in WURI over the years.
In the 2024 edition, CNU Main improved from 98th place in 2023 to 95th place globally. It also ranked among the Top 100 in several categories, including Entrepreneurial Spirit (A4), Social Responsibility (A6), and Culture/Values (B5).
CNU President Dr. Laurence Garcia described the University’s latest recognition in the WURI as a reflection of the institution’s resilience, creativity, and commitment to transformative education amid continuing recovery efforts.
“At a time when the University continues to rebuild, reimagine, and reaffirm its identity, this achievement reminds us that true excellence is not measured solely by prestige, but by the impact we create in the lives of people and communities,” the president said.
Garcia emphasized that the achievement goes beyond global recognition, noting that CNU’s strong performance in WURI highlights the University’s dedication to innovation grounded in service, compassion, research, and responsive leadership.
For Dr. Janet Mananay, certified WURI mentor and CNU Vice President for Special Needs, Early Childhood Education, Internationalization, and Lifelong Learning (SNECEILL), this year’s achievement carries even greater weight considering the heightened level of global competition. The OVP-SNECEILL spearheaded the second implementation of WURIWise, an institutional initiative that empowered every unit in the University to contribute to CNU’s application for the annual World University Rankings for Innovation.
According to Dr. Mananay, the 2026 WURI rankings evaluated more than 14,000 entries worldwide, a sharp increase from the over 3,000 submissions recorded last year.
Despite a tougher field, CNU not only maintained its presence but also achieved remarkable upward movement across campuses and categories.
“These achievements are not just numbers—they reflect the collective dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment of our faculty, staff, students, and partners,” Dr. Mananay said.
She said that the recognition mirrors the University’s continuous pursuit of transformative education that responds to societal needs while strengthening global relevance.
Both Dr. Garcia and Dr. Mananay expressed gratitude to the faculty, staff, students, alumni, partners, and the entire CNU community whose collective efforts continue to strengthen the University’s pursuit of excellence and community impact.
“This recognition affirms that even amid challenges, CNU continues to rise stronger, driven by a vision of becoming an institution that not only recovers, but leads with purpose, relevance, and hope for the future,” said Dr. Garcia.