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July 14, 2021 (Manila, Philippines). The Institutes for Research, Innovation, and Scholarship (The IRIS) released its beta ranking of Philippines’ universities in research in a presentation made by Dr. Carlos Primo C. David. The IRIS rankings on research productivity were based on the cumulative publications and citations from both Elsevier’s Scopus and Thomson Reuter’s Web of Science and the h-index. 106 universities, public and private, were ranked in the fields of Science (natural sciences, mathematics, environmental science, agriculture, material science, microbiology, toxicology), Engineering (engineering, computer science, energy), and Health (medicine, nursing, public health, neuroscience, veterinary, and dentistry).
The rankings were unveiled at the IRIS webinar entitled, “Research Dimensions in University Rankings: Snapshot of Philippine Universities” held last July 14, 2021. In his presentation, Dr. David stressed that it is important to track university research performance as these institutions are the primary seedbeds for knowledge creation. There is also a good correlation between a vibrant research culture and the high quality of instructions at the Tertiary level. Adds co-presenter, NAST Academician Dr. Raymond R. Tan, “Cultivating that intrinsic value for research is an important part of the search for solutions for societal good and for enriching the national talent pool to compete and engage in the global knowledge economy.” IRIS Founder, Dr. Napoleon K. Juanillo, Jr. also adds that unlocking the local rankings is meant to provide a stepping stone for local HEIs aspiring to enter international rankings.
In Science, UP Diliman tops the list, followed by UP Los Baños, De La Salle University, UP Manila (including Philippine General Hospital) Mindanao State University system, University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo de Manila University, University of San Carlos, UP Visayas (Miag-ao & Tacloban), and Central Luzon State University.
The IRIS Rankings also noted that if the last 5 years are considered, the Technological Institute of the Philippines has jumped from 37th to 28th, Cebu Technological University from 27th to 21st, and Caraga State University from 21st to 17th. Based on citations in the last five years, Silliman University has moved from 14th to 9th, University of San Carlos from 8th to 5th, and Ateneo de Davao University from 36th to 16th.
In Engineering, De La Salle University tops the list, followed by UP Diliman, Mapua University, Ateneo de Manila University, Technological Institute of the Philippines, UP Los Baños, Mindanao State University system, University of Santo Tomas, University of San Carlos, and UP Manila (including PGH). Worth noting is that the top 3 universities account for 56% of all publications. In the last 5 years, Mapua University produced 90% of its papers from 2016-2020.
In Health Sciences, the list is dominated by universities with medical schools. UP Manila (including PGH) tops the list, followed by University of Santo Tomas, UP Diliman, St. Luke's Medical Center, UP Los Baños, De La Salle University, University of San Carlos, Ateneo de Manila University, University of the East, and Central Luzon State University.
Remarkably, in the last 5 years, ADMU has produced 126 publications and Bicol University’s research productivity has lifted it from 40th to 34th.
In the presentations, it was also mentioned that the fastest growing Universities in science fields are Technological Institute of the Philippines, Cebu Technological University, and Caraga State University. Consistently highly cited research come from University of San Carlos, Silliman University, and Ateneo de Davao University. In Engineering, Mapua has the most increase in publications over the last 5 years while UP Visayas and Bataan Peninsula State have published highly cited papers. Lastly, in the Health Sciences, Ateneo de Manila University has produced majority of its publications just in the last 5 years while University of the East and Cebu Doctors’ will move up the rankings if we consider article citations.
The Institutes for Research, Innovation, and Scholarship (The IRIS) is a private educational, research, and scientific organization that seeks to create pathways for collaboration among Filipino researchers, educators, innovators, and scholars in science, technology, engineering, agro-fisheries, and mathematics. It has partnered with Elsevier in bringing the Leadership Legacy Forums.
Excellence finds a Voice. The IRIS aims to serve as the Philippines’ one-stop-shop for Research and Development talents and resources for optimized collaboration and integration.