Dr. Michael T. Sebullen, Director for Research, Baguio Central University
Innovation met inspiration as Baguio Central University (BCU) proudly represented the Philippines at the 2025 World’s Universities with Real Impact (WURI) Global Conference, held at Tongmyong University, Busan, South Korea. The event gathered leaders and innovators in higher education from across the globe to showcase transformative initiatives redefining how universities impact society. As the Director for Research, I had the honor to present Project I.F.U.S.E. (Innovative Funding and Sourcing for University Excellence) under the B5: Funding for Sustainability category — an initiative that embodies BCU’s enduring commitment to creativity, sustainability, and purposeful leadership in education.
A Vision Rooted in Purpose
Project I.F.U.S.E. is BCU’s answer to the challenge of sustaining innovation amid limited financial resources. It is a homegrown strategy designed to mobilize partnerships, creativity, and internal collaboration to support research, student development, and community extension. What makes IFUSE distinct is not just its practicality but its spirit — it reflects BCU’s vision of doing more with less, and doing it with purpose. Our model demonstrates that financial sustainability is not about abundance, but about resourcefulness guided by vision.
“Benchmarking only makes sense when grounded on informed objectives and ideals,” I emphasized during my session.
“At BCU, we acknowledge that we still have much to learn, yet we also have so much to offer.”
The presentation invited encouraging feedback from fellow educators from Malaysia, Indonesia, Peru and South Korea, who resonated with the framework’s emphasis on local ingenuity and social accountability.
Global Conversations, Shared Humanity
Beyond the conference halls, the cultural exchange was just as enriching. I had the chance to converse and share experiences with delegates from Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Peru and Taiwan, whose diverse perspectives on sustainability and education offered new lenses of understanding. “The stories we exchanged reminded me that education is not merely institutional; it is deeply human,” I reflected. “Innovation flourishes when people listen, connect, and collaborate across cultures.
These encounters revealed a common desire among global educators — to make learning transformative, inclusive, and ethically anchored.
One Transformation at a Time
Returning home, I carry not only the pride of representation but also the responsibility of application. The lessons from WURI 2025 reaffirmed my belief that transformation in higher education begins with one act of purpose, one innovation, one collaboration at a time. At BCU, Project I.F.U.S.E. will continue to evolve — not just as a model for sustainability but as a framework for institutional resilience and community empowerment. I envision it inspiring new research directions, deeper partnerships, and stronger systems that sustain both excellence and empathy.
“Innovation is not measured by the size of the institution, but by the sincerity of its vision,” I said. “And BCU, small as we are, stands tall in purpose and commitment to global impact.”
A Step Forward for the Highlands
BCU’s participation in the 2025 WURI Global Conference reinforces its growing global footprint — proof that a university in the highlands of the Philippines can hold its ground among the world’s innovators. Our story is a reminder that excellence need not come from abundance; it can arise from vision, integrity, and collaboration. The journey to Busan was not just about representing a university — it was about representing a belief: that education, when fueled by purpose, can indeed change the world.
About the Author
Dr. Michael T. Sebullen serves as the Director for Research at Baguio Central University. He is the lead proponent of Project I.F.U.S.E., which earned BCU recognition in the 2025 WURI Global Rankings under the Funding for Sustainability category. He continues to lead institutional initiatives advancing research ethics, innovation, and global engagement across higher education.