The Regional Gender and Development Committee – CAR (RGADC-CAR) has recognized the University of Baguio (UB) for its notable contributions to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR). The honor was presented during the closing ceremony of the 2025 National Women’s Month Celebration on March 28, 2025, at the DPWH-CAR Multi-purpose Hall in Baguio City.
UB was specifically commended for its significant efforts in raising the standards of Cordillera gender equality and women’s empowerment, leading to its favorable performance in the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Ranking for United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #5: Gender Equality, where it bested over 300 colleges and universities worldwide.
The event featured a performance by the UB Voices Chorale, who also provided an intermission showcasing their talents. Accepting the award on behalf of University President Dr. Javier Herminio D. Bautista was the Director of the Office of Student Affairs, Dr. Froilan C. Aspa, who also delivered the acceptance speech.
In the speech, Dr. Bautista acknowledged the long history of strong women in high-profile positions at UB, noting that the university currently has two women on the board of directors, one Vice President, and women comprising half of the management team. He emphasized that this was shared “not to boast or show off” but “to inspire and prove to other organizations that women are equal if not more qualified to achieve success in the workplace!”. He added that the success of UB serves as proof of women’s valuable contribution to the economy and progress of society, and used the opportunity to promote gender equity and empathy, recognizing that “There are still stereotypes that put unnecessary pressure on women,” both those pursuing careers and those pursuing homemaking.
RGADC-CAR commended UB for its unwavering commitment to gender equality and its efforts to foster a just and equitable society. Assistant Secretary Janet P. Armas, CESO IV, of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Standards and Capacity Building Group, highlighted the vital role of academic institutions: “Academic institutions play a crucial role in shaping the perspective of this next generation. And by fostering gender-sensitive environments, you provide an environment where these students can be empowered and become gender advocates. They are ensuring that future leaders and professionals uphold the values of diversity, inclusivity, and respect for all,” she emphasized.
This recognition and the efforts of the University of Baguio align primarily with the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
SDG 5: Gender Equality – Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls. UB’s recognition is directly tied to its performance in this specific SDG’s Times Higher Education Impact Ranking. The institutional efforts, such as having women in high-profile leadership positions, directly address the goal of ensuring women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels.
SDG 4: Quality Education – Ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all. Academic institutions fostering gender-sensitive environments contribute to the goal of eliminating gender disparities in education and ensuring equal access to all levels of education, as emphasized by the DSWD Assistant Secretary.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – Reducing inequality within and among countries. Efforts to promote gender equity and challenge stereotypes contribute to reducing social and economic inequalities faced by women.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Strengthening the means of implementation and revitalizing the global partnership for sustainable development. The award from the RGADC-CAR, a regional body, is an example of an effective partnership between government/regional bodies and academic institutions to achieve the SDGs.
