NORSU ranks 180th world top univ
Article by Niel Benitez
Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) has earned the top 180th university placement according to the 2024 edition of the HE Higher Education Ranking agency, published on March 15.
From an undisclosed list of 303 participating higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide, NORSU obtained a total of 5,823 points from 25 different criteria focusing on various areas of higher education development.
NORSU International Linkages Director Craig Refugio stated that the ranking agency, which the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) forwarded to the University, provided a research instrument in which several NORSU offices and departments participated and responded in March.
“Since it is actually coming from CHED, we followed also. But the time span [of the survey] is actually very short, I think it’s a period only of three weeks. But our department, the Office of International Linkages, could not answer all of those [survey instruments],” Refugio said.
NORSU also gained a 78 percent score on Social and Cultural Impact of the University (312/400), 75 percent score on Support of Distance Learning (225/300), 73.75 percent score on Labor Market (295/400), 73.5 percent on Equity, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (294/400), and 72.2 percent score on Student Success and Graduation (361/500).
“I think all key officials were involved in the survey. When they answered that one on hard copies our office was the one who did the encoding, the inputting of those answers to the online survey instrument, because we collected first the data from different offices, then we consolidated all, then we encoded all of their responses to the survey instrument in the website, in the platform that they (ranking agency) actually used,” he added.
According to the HE Higher Education Ranking 2024 certificate of ranking for NORSU, the University garnered a 100 percent score on the criteria of Lifelong Learning (500/500), Data Management (300/300), Academic Freedom (200/200), Innovation and Creativity (300/200), Sustainability and Management (200/200), and Academic Transparency (200/200).
These criteria have a value percentage of between two to five percent.
However, the University acquired relatively low scores in criteria with significant value percentages, such as having a 35 percent score (315/900) on Research which poses a nine percent value percentage, followed by a 40 percent score (320/800) on Teaching with a value of eight percent, and a 17.86 percent score (125/700) on Internationalization with a value of seven percent.
Refugio further said his office is “so honored to have [the ranking survey] at this time with that organization,” adding that “although not all participated, that 300 plus is a good number; and with that 300 plus, we know our score, our status.”
“Among the 300 plus, we rank 180th, so I believe we are not actually very far from other universities. Knowing the result, I guess that would be the target of the University that [by] the next survey, we could elevate our rank to a higher rank other than 180,” he added.
Meanwhile, Norsunians also expressed satisfaction with the University’s distinction.
BA in Communication sophomore Aple Bangaysiso stressed his pride, emphasizing that “this achievement proves that NORSU is [striving] hard to offer quality education for its students, that’s why thousands of aspirants wanted to get into this University every year.”
“It is not just because the tuition is free, but NORSU is a home of professionals who are now paving the way for their different careers. I am optimistic that NORSU’s current rank will go higher in no time,” he said.
BS in Business Administration major in Financial Management junior Rheymund Kyle Vequizo also commended the great accomplishment of the University, highlighting NORSU’s enhanced instruction services in assisting his academics “by always encouraging me to work hard and providing me with the resources I need.”
“The achievement showcases that it’s not just NORSU as many people would say, but it’s NORSU because it provides quality education to students, enabling them to compete globally and alongside other universities. As a student in this University, I take pride and honor in this institution, which helps me grow,” he added.
Only two Philippine universities made it to the top 100 universities spot in the HE ranking, with West Visayas State University (WVSU) at 46th rank, and the University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines (USTP) at 81st rank.
The leading university in the 2024 edition of the ranking is Charisma University, a non-profit private higher institution in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The HE Higher Education Ranking Project is a Turkey-based academic organization that evaluates higher education institutions based on particular criteria and performance indicators aimed at enhancing their efficiency and effectiveness.
Attached here is the link to the HE Ranking of Negros Oriental State University:
https://ranking.heranking.com/2024/norsu.edu.ph
