The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) served as one of the mentoring sites for the WURI Academy: “Bicol to the Universe: Ngunyan Na!” held on October 1 and 3, 2025. The event was organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office V as part of its effort to help Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the Bicol Region prepare for their participation in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2026.
The WURI Academy is part of CHED’s program to strengthen internationalization among Bicol HEIs. It aims to guide universities and colleges in preparing innovative and well-documented entries that show their creative programs, projects, and practices aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CBSUA was chosen as one of the regional mentors, along with Catanduanes State University and Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology, because of its consistent inclusion in the WURI global rankings and its strong performance in innovation.
The mentoring sessions at CBSUA were held in three batches. The first batch was conducted in the morning at the Office of the Vice President for Business and External Affairs (OVPBEA) Building, 2nd Floor, and was attended by participants from Governor Mariano E. Villafuerte Community College in Libmanan. The second batch took place in the afternoon at the QA Hub Training Hall, with participants from Baao Community College. The third batch took place at the Farmer’s Training Hall with Naga College Foundation, Camarines Sur Polytechnic College, and Partido State University.
Both batches were facilitated by Dr. Cherry Love B. Montales, Director of the International Relations Office and Assistant Director for Quality Assurance at CBSUA. Dr. Montales delivered the mentoring session on “Understanding WURI: Methodology, Categories, and Submission Process,” emphasizing the significance of innovation-driven documentation and the importance of aligning institutional programs with. The sessions were facilitated by Ms. Christine Allen Riza Boncodin, Ms. Christy Perlado, and Ms. Rose Lynnor Matos of Quality Assurance Office, CBSUA.
The WURI Academy encourages each participating college and university to form a WURI Task Force made up of ten members from key offices such as research, extension, and international relations. These teams will prepare entries in at least four WURI categories. The activity is part of CHED’s ongoing goal to help Bicol HEIs gain global visibility and competitiveness.
Through this initiative, CBSUA continues to strengthen its role as a leader in innovation and quality education. By mentoring other institutions, the university helps promote a culture of creativity and collaboration that supports the global recognition of Bicol’s higher education sector.
