Cebu Normal University (CNU) moves forward with its vision as it was officially acclaimed as a Three (3) Stars Institution by the Quacquarelli Symond (QS) Stars Rating System on March 13, 2023.
The leading multidisciplinary research university of education’s three (3) out of five (5) stars rating means that CNU is a “well-recognized [institution] nationally and may have also begun to attract international recognition.”
They utilize three (3) criteria which consist of several categories when rating universities fairly: (1) the core criteria categories focus on the components of a university; (2) the advanced criteria categories look at a university with a solid foundation; and (3) specialist criteria categories look intently at an institution’s areas of specialization.
In an interview with Ang Suga, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Board and University Secretary Dr. Laurence L. Garcia shared that the institution only achieved that overall rating due to a one-star rating in the internalization category in the core criteria.
He added that the university is not yet prepared to host international students because of inadequate space and the restrictions of the Philippine government.
“…Strict man god kaayo ang Philippine government to that…Bisan pa ang atong curriculum kay nindot na ug kanang prepared which is ato ng strength kanang academic development. Pero ang atoang…environment is not [yet] supporting international students kay gamay kaayo tag space,” Garcia explained.
Meanwhile, Ms. Naila Y. Beltran, Director for External Affairs & International Linkages (EAIL), expressed that the other universities in the Philippines that were also evaluated by the QS only received a three-star rating due to this issue in internalization.
“In the Philippines, nobody was able to get four stars because of that one [which is] internalization,” she said.
However, CNU excelled in the inclusiveness category part of the advanced criteria and has shown great remarks in the academic development and teaching category in the core criteria.
The assessment was made possible through the Fostering World Class Philippine Universities Project Grant for PHP 2.5 million under the support of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
QS Stars is a British company that is one of the “world’s leading providers of services, analytics, and insight to the global higher education institutions (HEIs).”
Recognition overseas
In a phone interview with Ang Suga, Dr. Filomena T. Dayagbil, OIC of the Office of the University President, shared that even before she became the university president, it was already part of her agenda to create a competitive advantage by getting recognition abroad.
The QS three-star rating is one of the educational institution’s successes in being recognized internationally, opening up opportunities to attract international students and expose Filipino students globally.
To cope with the weakness in internalization scope, Dayagbil shared that they have already applied for distance learning and are now at the CHED for consideration.
“Nagpaabot ta [sa CHED] sa ilahang mga suggestions to comply with all the [requirements]…Naa na tay curriculum…naa na tay module,” she said.
Furthermore, the university will track its progress using the QS World University Rankings. The institution will reapply if a second evaluation is required to obtain the five-star rating.
Dayagbil emphasized that they planned to apply for another assessment and quality assurance system known as Times Higher Education (THE).
“For the next three years, e-monitor nato ang tanan nga mga parameters sa QS, and then we will really reapply…At the same time, mo-expand gyod ta into Times Higher Education which is actually giving us proof that we can be very good in areas of research and quality instruction,” she explained. §
Words by Renee Ross Villariasa
Photo grabbed from CNU Facebook page
