The University of Santo Tomas was awarded by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) for its two consecutive years of exemplary and commendable performance in 2021 and 2022, in the recognized international rankings and ratings such as: QS World University Rankings, QS Asia University Rankings, QS Stars Rating (2021), and Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.
The awarding ceremony took place during the 2022 ASEAN ICONS (ASEAN Philippine Higher Education Internationalization Champions of Nation-building and Sustainability) Awards Night held on August 26, 2022 at the Hilton Manila, Newport Blvd., Pasay City. The award was received by UST Deputy Director of the Office of QS/THE Rankings, Engr. Nestor R. Ong, MSIE, PIE, ASEAN Eng, on behalf of the University.
As a highlight of CHED’s ASEAN celebration, ASEAN ICONS recognized commendable Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) that have championed the global reputation of Philippine higher education through their praiseworthy performance in internationally recognized rankings and ratings, striving to promote the internationalization of Philippine HEIs, and innovative initiatives to contribute to the country’s economic and social goals. CHED awarded 46 HEIs, composed of 23 state universities and colleges and 23 private HEIs.
As the Philippines’ first QS Four Stars University in 2015 and 2017 and Five Stars University in 2021, UST set a benchmark in international rating among Philippine HEIs, several of which have benchmarked with UST to know its best practices in rankings and ratings.
CHED Chair Dr. J. Prospero E. De Vera III, emphasized in his Welcome Address the importance of cooperation, not competition, among Philippine HEIs in promoting internationalization by sharing their best practices in achieving their milestones and trailblazing initiatives, efforts to advance internationalization and innovative initiatives to contribute to the country’s economic and societal goals.
After the awarding ceremonies, a networking function and gala dinner ensued to allow HEIs to foster strategic partnerships and collaborations. It was at this juncture that CHED Deputy Executive Director and Director of International Affairs Service Atty. Lily Freida C. Macabangun-Milla, invited Engr. Nestor Ong as speaker in the upcoming CHED Strategic Planning to be held in Tagaytay to present his framework for the Educational Quality Management System (EQMS). The said framework was also presented by Ong during the AIM- CHED-Global Academic Leadership Program to be used for the development of the future educational policies of the Philippines.
The event was attended by representatives from Philippine HEIs, ambassadors and education attaches from ASEAN, among others. Also present was Office of QS/THE Rankings Office Assistant Mr. Vien Vic G. Flores, MS, AFP.
