The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) targets 75 higher education institutions (HEIs) to reach the global university rankings next year.

“I am projecting by next year, the 52 (HEIs) will easily reach 75, that is the target we are setting. Seventy five universities who have decided that they want to be compared, that is usually the most difficult decision to make,” CHED chairperson J. Prospero de Vera III said during the 6th commencement exercises of the World Citi Colleges (WCC) Aeronautical and Technological College-North Manila on Wednesday.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. lauded the 52 HEIs which were included in this year’s rank of World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS World, Asia, and Stars), and Times Higher Education (THE World, Asia, and Impact Rankings) during his second State of the Nation Address (SONA).

De Vera said this figure showed the “dramatic” progress of HEIs, with only 15 of them ranked last 2022.

However, de Vera said joining the world rankings is not for everyone.

“You must be able to identify the good things that you’re doing and prepare the documents to show that you’re doing it. Have yourselves evaluated versus other universities. And once the ranking comes out, look at those who are higher than you and say what are they doing that I should do or do better? It is a difficult process, and it is not for everyone,” he said.

De Vera then lauded the WCC’s performance for the year being among the 52 globally-ranked HEIs.

“For WCC to do it is a testament to the quality of education it is ready to give its graduate,” he said.

De Vera cited its internationalization efforts which provide aviation graduates with many skills and opportunities considering credentials and training garnered not only in the country but also abroad.

Last June 27, the CHED witnessed the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing between the WCC, Philippine State College of Aeronautics (PhilSCA) and the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) during the British Columbia Council International Education Week 2023 Conference in Victoria, BC, Canada.

The partnership is expected to bring opportunities for study and training between the Philippines and Canada for aspiring aircraft maintenance specialists and avionics technicians.

With all these efforts and plans being laid, de Vera assured that the national government is keen to increase support in the higher education sector.

“The present administration of President Bongbong Marcos has committed to continue this legacy of providing quality education and promoting the internationalization of Philippine education,” he said. (PNA)