The University of Baguio is proud to announce its staggering nomination and award-winning performance at the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2026, highlighting efforts in quality education and innovation toward real-world impacts and ideas among higher education institutions worldwide!
A ranking system that evaluates higher education institutions’ contributions to business and society, the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) is designed to assess the focus point of a business or institution’s distinct societal contribution and progress. Universities that participate in the annual WURI evaluations are acknowledged for their practical contributions to industry performance and positive contributions to society, particularly in the areas of research, education, and community involvement, based on twenty-four (24) categories.
In 2026, WURI evaluated about 2,000 colleges across 96 countries, and more than 13,000 creative initiatives were submitted globally, a significant rise over prior years. The rankings were formally revealed on May 6–8, 2026, at the HLU Annual Conference in Taiwan.
The University of Baguio claims yet again a spot at the top 100 worldwide universities that challenge the preconceptions of innovation targets (whom to innovate for), innovation means (how to innovate), and innovation content (what to innovate).
Officially launched in October 2025, the WURI 2026 submissions and rankings expanded the key themes and framework to primarily direct attention to AI-based teaching, social impact through knowledge transfer, entrepreneurial ecosystems, and ESG-based responses. Among the WURI framework for 2026, the ranking includes 24 innovation-focused categories covering areas such as the following:
- AI-Based Teaching and Learning Transformation
- Entrepreneurial Culture and Ecosystem
- Social Impact through Knowledge Transfer
- Ethics and Integrity
- Student Support and Engagement
- Digital and AI Transformation
- Sustainability and ESG Responses
- University Brand and Reputation
UNIVERSITY OF BAGUIO | WURI 2026 OFFICIAL RANKING
2025: RANK 134 (out of 400 innovative universities worldwide)
2026: RANK 97 (out of 500 innovative universities worldwide)
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RANK 1 – B2: Empowerment-Based Management
- WOMENtor Trailblazers in Women’s Leadership – Linkages Office
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GLOBAL RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
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INNOVATION TARGET (WHO) CATEGORIES:
Rank 98 – A1: Student Support and Engagement
- Project BEACON CARE: Building Competent, Advocative, and Resilient Educators through Holistic Student Engagement and Support Systems | STELA program
Rank 80 – A2: Student Mobility and Openness
- 24K Greensteps | SIHTM program
Rank 52 – A5: Crisis Management
- Strategic Holistic Intervention Framework for Transformation (S.H.I.F.T.) | SCJPS program
Rank 30 – A6: Ethics and Integrity
- The LIFE (Leading Initiatives with Focused Education) BAG Project | SIHTM program
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INNOVATION MEANS (HOW) CATEGORIES:
Rank 61 – B1: Visionary Leadership
- GAIL: Building Stronger Sectoral Linkages for a Sustainable Future | Linkages Office
Rank 94 – B3: DIgital and AI Transformation
- ACCESS with QAI | QAO unit
Rank 22 – B4: Culture/Values
- RHYTHMS Program—(Resilient Higher Education Yearning for Transformation, Harmony, and Multicultural Society) | STELA program
Rank 26 – B5: Funding for Sustainability
- Global Certification Testing Center: A Model for Impact-Driven Funding and Sustainable Development | SIT program
Rank 81 – B6: Infrastructure and Technology
- Experiential Learning in the Virtual Reality Playroom | SIHTM program
Rank 77 – B7: Cost-Effectiveness Management
- STRIVE: Showcasing Talent, Recognizing Involvement, Valuing Expertise | SIHTM program
Rank 26 – B8: University Brand and Reputation
- FAMERS: Leveraging Opportunities, Valuing Excellence for the University of Baguio | President’s Office
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INNOVATION CONTENT (WHAT) CATEGORIES:
Rank 89 – C3: Curricular Innovation for Future-Readiness
- P.R.I.S.M. | STELA program
Rank 51 – C5: Social Impact Through Knowledge Transfer
- The Tri-Bureau Research Application Network for Systemic Fire, Enforcement, and Reforms (TRANSFER) Initiative: Applying Criminology Research to Transform DILG Bureau Systems and Community Safety Outcomes | SCJPS program
Rank 40 – C7: University-Based Entrepreneurial Projects
- ALL-ABLE Cloud Kitchen: A Safe, Smart, and Inclusive Learning Space for Every Learner | SIHTM program
As the institution holds its head up high, with continuous dedication to innovation, social responsibility, sustainable development, and inclusive education, the profound achievements genuinely make an impact both within and outside of the classroom, which is reflected in this milestone. Congratulations on the tenured accomplishment, highlighted by the collective efforts of the management, committee members, esteemed representatives, teaching and nonteaching staff, and the whole UB community!
Let’s keep creating a future characterized by influence, excellence, and purpose. Way to go, UBians!