CLSU REJOICES AS ONE OF THE BEST UNIVERSITIES IN ASIA

Central Luzon State University makes history for being recognized as one of the top universities in Asia with an overall rank of 601+, joining the roster of the top universities in the 2021 QS-World University Rankings (QS-WUR): Asia. It is among the 14 universities in the Philippines listed as Asia's best higher education institutions (HEIs) by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), a leading international corporation specializing in the analysis of HEIs around the world. According to QS, among the 11 key indicators and performance metrics tailored for the region, CLSU's Academic Reputation and Employer Reputation garnered the highest ranking at 251+, regionally. Meanwhile, Inbound Exchange Students is considered as one of the strongest with 301+ ranking in Asia. Other indicators evaluated were faculty to student ratio; staff with PhD; papers per faculty; citations per paper; international research network; international faculty; international students; and outbound exchange students. The journey of CLSU to be included in the QS-WUR began in 2013 thru the initiatives of the late Dr. Ruben C. Sevilleja, former CLSU president. It was also continued by immediate past president, Dr. Tereso A. Abella. Dr. Edgar A. Orden, incumbent CLSU president, pursued relentlessly this journey of the university until it saw fruition. Moreover, CLSU achieved another feat as the Executive Board of the Southeast Asian University Consortium for Graduate Education in Agriculture and Natural Resources or the University Consortium (UC) unanimously agreed to welcome CLSU into the consortium as affiliate member during their 33rd UC Executive Board Meeting. It is now one among the only three universities in the Philippines who are currently members of the UC. CLSU’s status may be elevated to regular membership after three years subject to satisfactory assessment by the UC.  As an affiliate member, CLSU may participate in all UC activities like the Summer School which will be hosted by Universitas Brawijaya in Malang, Indonesia; the Graduate Forum to be organized by National Taiwan University; the Faculty Forum by Tokyo NODAI; and the 34th Executive Board Meeting which will be hosted by Universiti Putra Malaysia; and other student and faculty mobilities. Initiated by Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) in 1989, the UC is a commitment made among leading Southeast Asian higher education institutions to share academic expertise and resources. Dr. Orden facilitated the membership by presenting the strengths and capabilities of CLSU with the aim to collaborate with members of the UC through research projects, provide opportunities to students and faculty members through the various grants, share expertise and resources, and promote the internationalization of the university. These developments, according to President Orden, is parallel to his vision for the university as "a world-class national leader in agri-fisheries industry". For the historic QS ranking, CLSU extends its gratitude and shares this recognition to all its peers and alumni who have helped the university from the start by providing the data needed in the quest for CLSU be ranked as one of the best universities in the world. The same gratitude is accorded to the Team who were instrumental for the Three Stars rating of CLSU at the QS Star Rating System which provided additional data to the milestone. As this is just the beginning, President Orden, together with the other university officials, implores all its alumni and academic peers for their support by contributing the data needed for the ranking so CLSU can maintain or yield better results in the ensuing QS-WUR rankings.