By Dr. Dimpna C. Castigador
Through its commitment to innovative education, research, and community engagement, Central Philippine University (CPU) ranks 349th in the WURI 2026 Global Top 500 Innovative Universities, alongside Top 100 category rankings in Industrial Application (72nd), Crisis Management (38th), Infrastructure/Technology (71st), and Financial Impact-Driven Technology Transfer (48th).
JARO, ILOILO CITY — Central Philippine University (CPU) has achieved a historic milestone after entering the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) Global Top 500 for the first time, affirming the University’s growing international recognition for innovation and social impact.
In addition to its first-ever inclusion in the WURI Global Top 500, CPU also earned placements in the Global Top 100 across several WURI 2026 categories, highlighting the University’s strong performance in applied research, crisis response, infrastructure and technology, and technology transfer.
CPU was recognized in the following WURI 2026 categories:
| Rank | Category | Program/Project | Program/Project Leader |
| 38 | Crisis Management | PROJECT CLEAR: Coastal Localities’ Evaluation and Assessment of Resources | Dr. Dahlia H. Pescos |
| 48 | Financial Impact-Driven Technology Transfer | APPROTECH: Adaptive Techno-Transfer for Smallholder Agri-Operations | Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa
|
| 71 | Infrastructure/Technology | CPU Wind Tunnel: Impetus to Heightened Regional Wind Energy Research and Development | Engr. Jeriel G. Militar |
| 72 | Industrial Application | Hybrid Wind–Solar Energy System | Engr. Jeriel G. Militar |
“These recognitions are a testimony to God’s faithfulness and to the dedication of our faculty, staff, students, and partners,” said University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy. “We praise God for the lives of our program and project leaders and team members and for the innovation that benefit society. CPU’s inclusion in the WURI Global Top 500 for the first time, together with our placements in the Global Top 100 categories, inspires us to continue advancing exemplary Christian education for life.”
Among the recognized initiatives is the Hybrid Wind–Solar Energy System, an applied engineering project that provides renewable energy solutions for off-grid communities under the leadership of Engr. Jeriel G. Militar. PROJECT CLEAR, led by Dr. Dahlia H. Pescos, supports local government and the community through science-based coastal water quality and risk assessment. The CPU Wind Tunnel, also led by Engr. Jeriel G. Militar, strengthens renewable energy research and development through advanced infrastructure. APPROTECH, led by Dr. Aries Roda D. Romallosa, advances technology transfer by converting university research into practical, income-generating solutions for smallholder agricultural communities.
With its first entry into the WURI Global Top 500 and its strong performance in multiple Global Top 100 categories, the University celebrates this achievement as a testament to God’s faithfulness in the University’s continuing pursuit of innovation for the greater good.
To explore partnerships with CPU, email communications@cpu.edu.ph.