The Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA) garnered multiple distinctions at the 2025 IBALONG Awards, or the Internationalization and Bicolano Advocacy for Leadership, Outreach, and Nation-building for Global Sustainability, held today, November 6, at Proxy by The Oriental Albay in Legazpi City.
Organized by the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office V (CHED ROV), the IBALONG Awards honor higher education institutions in the Bicol Region that have achieved international distinction through globally recognized rankings and ratings.
CBSUA received the ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ฏ๐ฎ๐น๐ผ๐ป๐ด, the highest recognition, for its exceptional accomplishments in earning multiple international rankings and accreditations, reaffirming its leadership, global visibility, and excellence in education.
The university was also conferred the ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด for its inclusion in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025, highlighting its steadfast commitment to quality education, sustainability, and global engagement.
CBSUAโs ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐ป๐๐ผ๐ป๐ด award recognized its QS Stars distinction, a testament to the universityโs pursuit of continuous improvement, academic excellence, and international competitiveness.
Lastly, the ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐๐ผ๐ด was awarded to CBSUA for its inclusion in the World University Rankings for Innovation 2025 and UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2024, underscoring its dedication to innovation, environmental stewardship, and sustainable institutional development.
Representing University President Dr. Alberto N. Naperi during the ceremony and receiving the four awards were Dr. Melinda Parro-Pan, Vice President for Academic Affairs; Dr. Cherry Love B. Montales, Vice President for Business and External Affairs; Ms. Rose Lynor A. Matos, Director of the Quality Assurance Office; and Dr. Melchora V. Abonal, Director of the Vetiver Center.
In addition to these distinctions, CBSUA WURI Mentors were also recognized for serving as resource speakers and facilitators during the WURI Academy titled โBicol to the Universe: Ngunyan Na!โ They include Dr. Cherry Love B. Montales, Director of the International Relations Office and Assistant Director for International Quality Assurance; Ms. Rose Lynor A. Matos, Director of the Quality Assurance Office; and Ms. Christine Allen Riza Boncodin, Assistant Director for National and Local Quality Assurance.
CBSUA WURI Champions were likewise commended for representing the university during the 2025 WURI Global Conference held at Tongmyong University in Busan, South Korea, from September 24 to 26, 2025. They showcased CBSUAโs initiatives through presentations under Categories A4, A8, and B2, emphasizing the institutionโs strong commitment to academic excellence, sustainability, and transformative education. The honorees include Mr. Luigi Lorenzo N. Razal, Supervising Administrative Officer; Dr. Arce D. Ballere, Faculty of CBSUA Sipocot; and Ms. Diana Jane D. Barretto and Ms. Miki Angela Kurahashi-Panganiban, Faculty members of CBSUA Pili.
CBSUA continues to exemplify Bicolano excellence in higher education, advancing leadership, innovation, and internationalization toward a more sustainable and globally competitive future.
