For the fourth consecutive year, Tarlac State University has been recognized by the Commission on Higher Education for its internationalization achievements during the ICONS Awards 2025 on December 10, 2025 at the Philippine International Convention Center, Pasay City.
The university placed in two major global rankings this year, achieving the 1501+ band in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings and the 256th spot globally in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).
Dr. Grace N. Rosete, Office of International Affairs and Linkages director, attended the Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability (ICONS) Awards 2025 and received the award on behalf of TSU.
CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis announced during the program the 82% increase in institutions joining these international ranking systems, noting the strategic value of the ICONS awards.
“(The ICONS Awards is) not simply as a recognition ceremony, but as a mechanism for measuring progress, sustaining international momentum and normalizing a culture of global engagement across our higher education system,” Chairperson Agrupis said.
She added that internationalization is no longer peripheral, but an operational requirement for relevance, competitiveness, and long-term national development.
TSU was first recognized in 2022 as one of the world's 1,046 higher education institutions and one of the only 15 Philippine HEIs to qualify in THE Impact Rankings. This was followed in 2023 after TSU garnered Three Stars in the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Stars Ratings and placed 279th in WURI in 2024.
The CHED ICONS Awards is an annual ceremony that celebrates the excellence, visibility, and immeasurable impact of Philippine higher education institutions on the international stage.
It especially recognizes achievements across four highly respected metrics – QS Stars Ratings, THE World University Ranking, THE Impact Rankings, and WURI. (jlm-OPA)
Photo courtesy: Dr. Grace N. Rosete | OIAL Director
