THE graduates are the measure of excellence of schools, especially of higher education institutions. The board performance is one of the many indicators of this excellence. This column gives way to some of the institutions that may not sound like loud bells to many, but are indeed etching marks of excellence in their role in bridging dreamers to be one with their dreams, in particular, and in contributing to nation-building and world benefit, in general. This is the first of the Nests of Excellence series to pay tribute to these institutions.
The technology university in Cebu
In 1911, the Cebu Technological University (CTU) was established as the Cebu Trade School, later evolved into the Cebu State College of Science and Technology. It was converted into Cebu Technological University in 2009 (Republic Act [RA] 9744) and continues to flourish as a flagship institution in the country — in educational excellence, research and innovation, global relevance, quality assurance and good governance.
CTU has produced consistent topnotchers through the years, with 10 topnotchers in the recent March 2025 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers — where it clinched the top numbers 1, 8 and 10 at the secondary level, and the top 7, 8, 9 and 10 at the elementary level.
CTU ranked 62nd among the Philippines’ Top 100 Universities. It earned a Certificate of Commendation from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). This is evident in the university’s global ranking distinction in the Quacquarelli Symonds Asia University Rankings (rank 851-900), Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (rank 1001-1500) and World University Rankings for Innovation (rank 116).
CTU has produced cutting-edge research published by its faculty researchers and students. Notably, CTU significantly ranked first place in research production in 2024 among the top-performing universities in Region 7 (Central Visayas) (Global Health Focus University Excellence). CTU drives forward to cultivating cross-cultural synergy, boosting internationalization, fueling innovation and expanding opportunities for student and teacher exchange. In promoting good governance, the university has regularly implemented strategic plans and actions upholding good governance, transparency and accountability within the university.
Moreover, CTU paves the way for building a more just and sustainable future through its innovative research, community engagement, education and key initiatives aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Thriving as one of the top universities in the Philippines, CTU strives for continued institutional excellence under its able management team headed by president Joseph Pepito.
A Magayon university
Bicol University (BU), the premier ISO-certified and Level IV Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (Aaccup) institutionally accredited university in the Bicol Region, with three QS stars rating, is a State Universities and Colleges Level IV institution by the Department of Budget and Management standards, established on June 21, 1969 (RA 5521). It is a center of excellence in teacher education, center of development in nursing and in fisheries education.
Located at the heart of the world-famous perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano, the BU main campus is 14 minutes away from the Bicol International Airport and 10 minutes away from the commercial district of Legazpi City, in the province of Albay.
It has 21 colleges spread across its seven campuses in the province of Albay.
As of latest count, Bicol University has over 82 Aaccup-accredited academic programs with seven programs accredited at Level IV. It is also a Level III accredited institution whose reputation as the premier university in the Bicol Region is rooted in its consistent top-level performance in various licensure examinations, becoming recognized as a top-performing school in nursing, education, social work, accountancy, law, midwifery and engineering.
The university is one of the 20 higher education institutions included in the British Council-CHED-University of Liverpool transnational education program. It is a research base agency for the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resource Research and Development.
Bicol University is led by its current president Baby Boy Benjamin Nebres III with a vision of a University for Humanity for Sustainable Societies.
Maigo’s pride
The people of Maigo, Lanao del Norte, established Maigo High School in 1948, converted to the Maigo Trade School in 1959 (RA 2408), which became the Maigo School of Arts and Trades (RA 4279) in 1965. It was officially integrated into the Mindanao State University System in 2001 and renamed MSU-Maigo School of Arts and Trades (MSU-MSAT) through RA 7722 and RA 8292. It was officially renamed Mindanao State University-Maigo College of Education, Science and Technology on April 14, 2025.
Notably, since campus superintendent lawyer Jamaloden Basar assumed office in April 2021, the campus has experienced substantial progress and transformation. In terms of academics, the institution has likewise made remarkable strides, demonstrating excellence in various programs and initiatives.
MSU-MSAT has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, as evidenced by its education programs producing topnotchers — No. 1 in 2025 with 100-percent passing rate in the Licensure Examination for Teachers at the elementary level.
Additionally, the institution’s education programs have secured a Certificate of Program Compliance from CHED for the first time, including the recent recognition of its Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management program.
Beyond that, it has already formed partnerships with reputable institutions internationally such as Universitas Tanjungpura in Indonesia and Tan Trao University in Vietnam.
Teachers nest par excellence
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-South La Union Campus (DMMMSU-SLUC) College of Education stands as a premier institution in teacher education, consistently demonstrating its commitment to educational excellence and innovation.
This is evident in its recent recognition by the Aaccup Inc., which granted it Level IV reaccreditation — the highest possible status to seven of its core degree programs — with distinguished Level IV accreditation.
The college has been producing topnotchers in the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers.
This success led to the college being named one of the top 10 top-performing schools in the secondary level nationwide. DMMMSU-SLUC College of Education was also honored with the Excellence in Quality Assurance in Teacher Education award.
In the next issues, you will get to read more nests of excellence in this column.
-END-
SOURCE: The Manila Times
The technology university in Cebu
In 1911, the Cebu Technological University (CTU) was established as the Cebu Trade School, later evolved into the Cebu State College of Science and Technology. It was converted into Cebu Technological University in 2009 (Republic Act [RA] 9744) and continues to flourish as a flagship institution in the country — in educational excellence, research and innovation, global relevance, quality assurance and good governance.
CTU has produced consistent topnotchers through the years, with 10 topnotchers in the recent March 2025 Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers — where it clinched the top numbers 1, 8 and 10 at the secondary level, and the top 7, 8, 9 and 10 at the elementary level.
CTU ranked 62nd among the Philippines’ Top 100 Universities. It earned a Certificate of Commendation from the Commission on Higher Education (CHED). This is evident in the university’s global ranking distinction in the Quacquarelli Symonds Asia University Rankings (rank 851-900), Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (rank 1001-1500) and World University Rankings for Innovation (rank 116).
CTU has produced cutting-edge research published by its faculty researchers and students. Notably, CTU significantly ranked first place in research production in 2024 among the top-performing universities in Region 7 (Central Visayas) (Global Health Focus University Excellence). CTU drives forward to cultivating cross-cultural synergy, boosting internationalization, fueling innovation and expanding opportunities for student and teacher exchange. In promoting good governance, the university has regularly implemented strategic plans and actions upholding good governance, transparency and accountability within the university.
Moreover, CTU paves the way for building a more just and sustainable future through its innovative research, community engagement, education and key initiatives aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Thriving as one of the top universities in the Philippines, CTU strives for continued institutional excellence under its able management team headed by president Joseph Pepito.
A Magayon university
Bicol University (BU), the premier ISO-certified and Level IV Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (Aaccup) institutionally accredited university in the Bicol Region, with three QS stars rating, is a State Universities and Colleges Level IV institution by the Department of Budget and Management standards, established on June 21, 1969 (RA 5521). It is a center of excellence in teacher education, center of development in nursing and in fisheries education.
Located at the heart of the world-famous perfect cone-shaped Mayon Volcano, the BU main campus is 14 minutes away from the Bicol International Airport and 10 minutes away from the commercial district of Legazpi City, in the province of Albay.
It has 21 colleges spread across its seven campuses in the province of Albay.
As of latest count, Bicol University has over 82 Aaccup-accredited academic programs with seven programs accredited at Level IV. It is also a Level III accredited institution whose reputation as the premier university in the Bicol Region is rooted in its consistent top-level performance in various licensure examinations, becoming recognized as a top-performing school in nursing, education, social work, accountancy, law, midwifery and engineering.
The university is one of the 20 higher education institutions included in the British Council-CHED-University of Liverpool transnational education program. It is a research base agency for the Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resource Research and Development.
Bicol University is led by its current president Baby Boy Benjamin Nebres III with a vision of a University for Humanity for Sustainable Societies.
Maigo’s pride
The people of Maigo, Lanao del Norte, established Maigo High School in 1948, converted to the Maigo Trade School in 1959 (RA 2408), which became the Maigo School of Arts and Trades (RA 4279) in 1965. It was officially integrated into the Mindanao State University System in 2001 and renamed MSU-Maigo School of Arts and Trades (MSU-MSAT) through RA 7722 and RA 8292. It was officially renamed Mindanao State University-Maigo College of Education, Science and Technology on April 14, 2025.
Notably, since campus superintendent lawyer Jamaloden Basar assumed office in April 2021, the campus has experienced substantial progress and transformation. In terms of academics, the institution has likewise made remarkable strides, demonstrating excellence in various programs and initiatives.
MSU-MSAT has consistently demonstrated academic excellence, as evidenced by its education programs producing topnotchers — No. 1 in 2025 with 100-percent passing rate in the Licensure Examination for Teachers at the elementary level.
Additionally, the institution’s education programs have secured a Certificate of Program Compliance from CHED for the first time, including the recent recognition of its Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management program.
Beyond that, it has already formed partnerships with reputable institutions internationally such as Universitas Tanjungpura in Indonesia and Tan Trao University in Vietnam.
Teachers nest par excellence
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-South La Union Campus (DMMMSU-SLUC) College of Education stands as a premier institution in teacher education, consistently demonstrating its commitment to educational excellence and innovation.
This is evident in its recent recognition by the Aaccup Inc., which granted it Level IV reaccreditation — the highest possible status to seven of its core degree programs — with distinguished Level IV accreditation.
The college has been producing topnotchers in the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers.
This success led to the college being named one of the top 10 top-performing schools in the secondary level nationwide. DMMMSU-SLUC College of Education was also honored with the Excellence in Quality Assurance in Teacher Education award.
In the next issues, you will get to read more nests of excellence in this column.
-END-
SOURCE: The Manila Times