Following the success of FLAIR 1 in 2022, the Commission on Higher Education – Region 1 (CHEDRO1) spearheaded the SIRMATA: Region 1 Filipino Leaders in Advancing International Reputation (R1-FLAIR 2), an Internationalization Masterclass for Higher Education Institutions in Region 1 at the Tadena Hall, University of Northern Philippines, Vigan City, Ilocos Sur on October 18-20, 2023.
Anchored in the theme, “Elevating Global Excellence: Strategies and Insights for Effective Higher Education Internationalization,” the event aimed to prepare and capacitate Region 1 HEIs to participate and prepare data for international rankings and ratings in 2023-2024.
DMMMSU delegates to the event were Dr. Angelina T. Gonzales, Vice President for Research, Development, and Innovation; Dr. Jesus Rafael B. Jarata, Director for International Affairs; Dr. Rhoda M. Lilan, Head for International Affairs of DMMMSU-NLUC; and Mr. Jerald U. Saculles, Coordinator for Cross-Border Education.
The following topics and sessions were the highlights of the said event: The importance of International Rankings and Ratings, the Impact of International Recognition and Rankings on HEIs’ Institutional Development, Institutional Strategies for International Rankings and Ratings, The importance of Research in International Rankings, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Ratings and Rankings Methodology, Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings Methodology, Workshop and Technical Assistance (QS) and THE, Partnership Development Meeting with Evergreen College, WURI Rankings (Understanding the WURI Rankings Methodology, Preparing HEI Programs for the WURI Rankings, UI Greenmetrics Methodology, and ApplieHE Ranking Methodology.
Dr. Jarata also shared DMMMSU’s institutional participation experience in QS Ranking and QS Rating Experience and the best practices in DMMMSU’s journey in the WURI Rankings. In his speech, Dr. Jarata underscored the riveting contribution of having a positive outlook among technical working group members to the success of DMMMSU in the different international ranking organizations.
The event commenced with the presentation of Institutional Commitment and Implementation Plans, Proposed Entries, and Data. DMMMSU expressed its commitment to continue its goal of elevating its international impact by participating in the different global rankings and ratings.
In her concluding remarks, Dr. Christine Nabor-Ferrer, Director IV of CHEDRO1, encouraged the participating HEIs to further their efforts in uplifting the international reputation of their respective institutions and that of the entire Region 1.
Currently, DMMMSU is among the only seven (7) HEIs in Region 1 that are ranked by the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). DMMMSU is also one of the few HEIs in Region 1 that garnered 3 Stars in the QS Rating. Through the FLAIR, CHEDRO1 hopes to help more HEIs in Region 1 get ranked and rated internationally. (By Jerald Saculles)
