The Romblon State University proudly celebrated another milestone in innovation and global academic excellence as it formally recognized the contributors and awardees of the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2026 during the Monday Flag Raising Ceremony held on May 25, 2026, at the University Quadrangle.
Attended by members of the RSU community, the ceremony highlighted the university’s remarkable achievement of securing the 37th spot globally and ranking 2nd in the Philippines in the prestigious WURI 2026 rankings, a testament to RSU’s growing influence in innovation-driven initiatives.
This international recognition was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the university community, particularly the Global Reputation Unit headed by Mr. Jayson Reeves C. Mani, in partnership with the dedicated WURI lead team composed of Dr. Gianinna Elaine M. Labicane and Mrs. Maria Josefa O. Punongbayan. Through their collective commitment and hard work, RSU continues to strengthen its global visibility, expand its international engagement, and showcase its innovative initiatives on the world stage.
Opening the program, Mr. Mani emphasized the significance of the university’s achievement and the collective effort behind every recognized initiative.
“Behind every winning entry is a team that believes that a university from the islands can create innovations that resonate beyond borders. Every proposal written, every document prepared, every program implemented, and every sleepless night dedicated to this journey reflects the heart of public service and academic excellence that defines RSU,” he said.
The ceremony featured the awarding of certificates to the contributors of the WURI 2026 entries, followed by the recognition of the university’s 19 categorical awardees under the WURI Top 100 rankings across various innovation categories.
Among the recognized programs was the RSU CLIP: Comprehensive Learning Immersion Program of the International Relations Office, which ranked 80th globally under Student Mobility and Openness (A2). The initiative was championed by Dr. Gianinna Elaine M. Labicane, with Angelica Galindez and Maxine Mortos serving as writers.
Under Entrepreneurial Culture and Ecosystem (A4), Project SIKLAB: Skills, Income, Knowledge, and Livelihood Advancement for Backyard Layer Farming of the RSU San Fernando Campus earned the 47th spot globally. The project was both written and championed by Ruben Jr. R. Marzan.
RSU also gained international recognition in Crisis Management (A5) through the WATER: Watershed-based Action, Technical Empowerment, and Ecology-driven Resilience Program, a community-driven initiative of the CAFES Extramural Campus that secured Rank 18 worldwide. The project was written and championed by Amelyn A. Formilleza.
In the Ethics and Integrity category (A6), the university’s SHIELD! Support, Help, Information, Education, Leadership, and Development initiative, designed to combat cyberbullying among adolescents, achieved Rank 13 globally. The project was written by Melchor S. Rufon, Shenai F. Juance, and Mary Ann M. Gallos, with Rufon serving as champion.
The Office of the President’s Hiraya Manawari: The RSU Futures Thinking Capacity Programs also earned recognition under Future-Oriented Responses to Global Uncertainty and Geopolitical Risk (A7), placing 63rd globally. The initiative was written by Maria Josefa Punongbayan and championed by Prof. Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani.
Another notable recognition came from the International Relations Office through SustainED Open Learning Hub: Empowering Rural Communities for Sustainable Development, which ranked 45th globally under SDG- and ESG-Based Responses to Past and Present Global Challenges (A8). The project was written and championed by JRden F. Fadallan.
The university likewise received distinctions in leadership, governance, culture, infrastructure, procurement, research, and community innovation categories. Among these were PIVOT: Pioneering Inclusive Visions and Opportunities for Transformation under Visionary Leadership (B1); HEART Program under Empowerment-Based Management (B2); and Digital Pulse: Upgrading How We Hear You, Transitioning from Paper to Digital Survey Forms under Digital and AI Transformation in Strategy and Management (B3).
RSU’s commitment to preserving heritage and promoting sustainability was also recognized through initiatives such as Healing Heritage: A Community-Based Digital Preservation of Indigenous and Local Health Knowledge, SAVOR ASIA: A Fusion of Food and Culture Buffet for a Cause, and Blueprinting RSU’s Future: Advancing a Green, Smart, and Resilient University through LUDIP.
The university also gained international commendation for projects in procurement integrity, branding, agricultural innovation, science literacy, forest reforestation, inclusive social innovation, and entrepreneurial development, reflecting the breadth of RSU’s impact across instruction, research, extension, governance, and community engagement.
Delivering the inspirational message, Prof. Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani emphasized the transformative role of universities in addressing societal challenges and creating meaningful impact beyond the classroom.
“Our work proves that universities, units, and campuses are more than just places of learning. They are engines of ideas that solve real problems, create opportunities, and shape the future.”
She further encouraged the university community to remain proactive and solution-oriented in responding to contemporary global and local concerns.
“We have to be aware, we have to be responsive, and we have to do something so that we can contribute to the solutions to the current problems that we are facing. Let’s all be part of the solution for the community and the institution that we serve.”
The WURI 2026 recognition further strengthens RSU’s standing as a globally engaged and innovation-driven institution committed to transformative education, sustainable development, and inclusive community impact.
This international recognition was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the university community, particularly the Global Reputation Unit headed by Mr. Jayson Reeves C. Mani, in partnership with the dedicated WURI lead team composed of Dr. Gianinna Elaine M. Labicane and Mrs. Maria Josefa O. Punongbayan. Through their collective commitment and hard work, RSU continues to strengthen its global visibility, expand its international engagement, and showcase its innovative initiatives on the world stage.
Opening the program, Mr. Mani emphasized the significance of the university’s achievement and the collective effort behind every recognized initiative.
“Behind every winning entry is a team that believes that a university from the islands can create innovations that resonate beyond borders. Every proposal written, every document prepared, every program implemented, and every sleepless night dedicated to this journey reflects the heart of public service and academic excellence that defines RSU,” he said.
The ceremony featured the awarding of certificates to the contributors of the WURI 2026 entries, followed by the recognition of the university’s 19 categorical awardees under the WURI Top 100 rankings across various innovation categories.
Among the recognized programs was the RSU CLIP: Comprehensive Learning Immersion Program of the International Relations Office, which ranked 80th globally under Student Mobility and Openness (A2). The initiative was championed by Dr. Gianinna Elaine M. Labicane, with Angelica Galindez and Maxine Mortos serving as writers.
Under Entrepreneurial Culture and Ecosystem (A4), Project SIKLAB: Skills, Income, Knowledge, and Livelihood Advancement for Backyard Layer Farming of the RSU San Fernando Campus earned the 47th spot globally. The project was both written and championed by Ruben Jr. R. Marzan.
RSU also gained international recognition in Crisis Management (A5) through the WATER: Watershed-based Action, Technical Empowerment, and Ecology-driven Resilience Program, a community-driven initiative of the CAFES Extramural Campus that secured Rank 18 worldwide. The project was written and championed by Amelyn A. Formilleza.
In the Ethics and Integrity category (A6), the university’s SHIELD! Support, Help, Information, Education, Leadership, and Development initiative, designed to combat cyberbullying among adolescents, achieved Rank 13 globally. The project was written by Melchor S. Rufon, Shenai F. Juance, and Mary Ann M. Gallos, with Rufon serving as champion.
The Office of the President’s Hiraya Manawari: The RSU Futures Thinking Capacity Programs also earned recognition under Future-Oriented Responses to Global Uncertainty and Geopolitical Risk (A7), placing 63rd globally. The initiative was written by Maria Josefa Punongbayan and championed by Prof. Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani.
Another notable recognition came from the International Relations Office through SustainED Open Learning Hub: Empowering Rural Communities for Sustainable Development, which ranked 45th globally under SDG- and ESG-Based Responses to Past and Present Global Challenges (A8). The project was written and championed by JRden F. Fadallan.
The university likewise received distinctions in leadership, governance, culture, infrastructure, procurement, research, and community innovation categories. Among these were PIVOT: Pioneering Inclusive Visions and Opportunities for Transformation under Visionary Leadership (B1); HEART Program under Empowerment-Based Management (B2); and Digital Pulse: Upgrading How We Hear You, Transitioning from Paper to Digital Survey Forms under Digital and AI Transformation in Strategy and Management (B3).
RSU’s commitment to preserving heritage and promoting sustainability was also recognized through initiatives such as Healing Heritage: A Community-Based Digital Preservation of Indigenous and Local Health Knowledge, SAVOR ASIA: A Fusion of Food and Culture Buffet for a Cause, and Blueprinting RSU’s Future: Advancing a Green, Smart, and Resilient University through LUDIP.
The university also gained international commendation for projects in procurement integrity, branding, agricultural innovation, science literacy, forest reforestation, inclusive social innovation, and entrepreneurial development, reflecting the breadth of RSU’s impact across instruction, research, extension, governance, and community engagement.
Delivering the inspirational message, Prof. Dr. Merian P. Catajay-Mani emphasized the transformative role of universities in addressing societal challenges and creating meaningful impact beyond the classroom.
“Our work proves that universities, units, and campuses are more than just places of learning. They are engines of ideas that solve real problems, create opportunities, and shape the future.”
She further encouraged the university community to remain proactive and solution-oriented in responding to contemporary global and local concerns.
“We have to be aware, we have to be responsive, and we have to do something so that we can contribute to the solutions to the current problems that we are facing. Let’s all be part of the solution for the community and the institution that we serve.”
The WURI 2026 recognition further strengthens RSU’s standing as a globally engaged and innovation-driven institution committed to transformative education, sustainable development, and inclusive community impact.
