The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) recognized top higher education institutions and leaders at the ICONS Awards 2025, held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) on 10 December.

Now in its fourth year, the program acknowledges measurable impact, global visibility, and engagement in Philippine higher education.

This year, 173 higher education institutions received recognition in major global ranking systems, up from 95 institutions last year, representing an 82 percent increase.

Led by CHED’s International Affairs Service, the ICONS Awards highlighted institutions and individuals in internationalization and sustainability. The Internationalization Leadership Award was presented to Dr. Eva Marie Dugyon of Ifugao State University for contributions to advancing global engagement.

“This award is not mine alone. It belongs to the entire IFSU community, to our partners, collaborators, and to everyone who believed in our vision that internationalization can be local, rooted, and transformative,” Dr. Dugyon said.

The Best CHED Regional Office for Internationalization award was given to Region I for coordination and support of internationalization initiatives across its higher education institutions.

The ceremony also recognized institutions performing strongly in global ranking systems, including the Times Higher Education (THE) World, Asia, and Impact Rankings, the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings, and the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).

CHED highlighted policy developments supporting international cooperation, including the ratification of the Tokyo Convention, aligning the Philippine higher education system with regional standards for academic collaboration and competitiveness.

As the Philippines prepares to assume the ASEAN Chairship in 2026, CHED emphasized readiness to engage in regional discussions on artificial intelligence, student mobility, and quality assurance in higher education.