CEU ranks among world’s most innovative universities

CEU joins WURI’s global top 400 innovative universities for the second time  – a recognition that holds profound significance for its students, faculty, and academic community.

Centro Escolar University (CEU) has once again earned global recognition, securing the 259th spot among 1,253 universities worldwide in the 2025 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). This places CEU among the top 400 institutions worldwide shaping the future of education through creative solutions, forward-thinking leadership, and meaningful impact.

 This marks CEU’s second consecutive year in the WURI rankings, a global evaluation system that looks beyond traditional academic metrics to assess real-world contributions. From 268th in 2024 to 259th in 2025, CEU’s steady rise reflects its deep-rooted commitment to excellence. The university continues to meet excellence, addressing today’s needs while preparing students for the challenges of tomorrow.

WURI’s framework evaluates universities based on their real contributions to industry and society, using 16 categories that span both innovation targets (what institutions aim to achieve) and innovation means (how they achieve it).

Innovation with real-world impact

Beyond its place in the Global Top 400, CEU also earned high rankings in key WURI categories: 2025 – Rank 10 in Empowerment-Based Management; Rank 42 in Student Mobility and Openness; Rank 44 in Visionary Leadership; 2024 – Rank 23 in Industrial Application; Rank 27 in Support for Global Resilience; and Rank 36 in Leadership.

These achievements are fueled by CEU’s academic culture, which thrives on innovation, collaboration, and purpose. The unwavering support of the university administration was instrumental in this success—providing the vision, resources, and encouragement needed to pursue WURI recognition at a global scale. This strong backing empowered the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs (OSVPAA) to coordinate the effort, identifying and preparing program entries that best showcased CEU’s creativity, adaptability, and societal impact. By ensuring that each submission met WURI’s rigorous standards for Innovativeness, Implementability, and Impact, the OSVPAA played a pivotal role in securing CEU’s place among the world’s most innovative institutions.

Complementing this effort, the Office of Research, Innovation, and Institutional Development (ORIID) nurtures a research-driven culture, championing initiatives that address societal needs and translate academic insights into practical impact. This shared mission positions CEU as an institution guided by both a strong moral compass and strategic foresight.

Together, these efforts reflect CEU’s ongoing mission to empower learners and nurture leaders, producing graduates who are globally competent, socially conscious, and ready to make a meaningful mark.

Ensuring institutional excellence

CEU’s success in the WURI ranking reflects the synergy between the administration’s vision and the dedication of its academic leaders. With Dr. Teresa R. Perez, senior vice president for Academic Affairs, at the forefront, Dr. Maria Clara Perlita Erna V. Yabut, vice president for Research, Innovation, and Institutional Development & Corporate Information officer,  Dr. Rhoda C. Aguilar, University registrar, and Dr. Jean Ramirez, head of Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, the university has built a strong framework for innovation in higher education.

 Through collaborative leadership and campus-wide engagement, CEU ensures that its WURI-recognized programs are not isolated achievements, but part of a sustained journey of excellence and societal impact.

Pride in being Escolarian

 This global distinction belongs to every Escolarian – past, present, and future. It is a shared milestone and a reminder that at CEU, innovation is not a slogan—it is a living practice, sustained by the daily work of educators, learners, and researchers who dare to imagine and create better ways forward.

For more information about CEU and its programs, visitwww.ceu.edu.ph. You can also follow CEU on Facebook at @theCEUofficial, @CEUMalolosofficial, and @CEUMakati05.