Global Ranking and CAIRO’s Most Promising IRO Community Honor
PASAY CITY, Philippines – Baguio Central University (BCU) illuminated the Cordilleran academic landscape at the Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability (ICONS) Awards 2025, held December 10, 2025, at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). Organized by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the gala celebrated exemplary Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) advancing global innovation and regional collaboration.
BCU secured global acclaim, ranking #302 in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2025. Mr. Karl Matthieu Rillera, representing University President Dr. Margarita Cecilda B. Rillera, received this honor, spotlighting BCU’s innovation in education through high-impact initiatives like Project P.E.A.C.E., Project I.F.U.S.E., and Project K.A.Y.A.B.A.N.G., among others.
CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis and CHED commissioners lauded the night’s honorees before government, embassy, and academic leaders. BCU and CAIRO’s achievements resonate with SDG 4 (Quality Education), weaving Cordilleran binnadang (compassionate service) into global excellence.
Cordilleran HEIs Crowned the Most Promising IRO Community
A Victory for Regional Internationalization: CHED Chairperson Dr. Shirley C. Agrupis confers the ‘Most Promising IRO Community’ award upon the Cordillera Association of International Relations Officers (CAIRO). Witnessing this milestone are CAR HEI Presidents, Vice Presidents for Academic Affairs, and esteemed former CHED-CAR Directors Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes and Dr. Demetrio P. Anduyan, Jr. Representing BCU is Dr. Genevieve B. Kupang, who contributes to this regional success as a member of the CAIRO Board of Directors.
In a historic regional victory, the Cordillera Association of International Relations Officers (CAIRO) won the Internationalization (IZN) Most Promising Regional IRO Community Award. Dr. Genevieve Balance Kupang, CAIRO Board of Trustee and BCU’s Dean of Graduate School, was present to accept the award along with other CAR IROs—including Saint Louis University (SLU), University of Baguio (UB), University of the Cordilleras (UC), Ifugao State University (IFSU), Benguet State University (BSU, CCDC, Easter College, Abra State , and fellow regional stewards.
This accolade celebrates BCU’s and CAIRO’s unified contributions to the Philippine HEIs through: 1) Global Citizenship – Nurturing peace-centered, culture-based and sustainable worldviews; 2) Collaborative Innovation – Aligning research and extension with CHED’s ACHIEVE agenda; and 3)
Regional Leadership – Amplifying CAR’s voice in the international academic ecosystem.
This achievement belongs to all BCU stakeholders—our internationalization champions, faculty, students, and administration. It is our collective synergy that has gained international traction, a milestone we intend to build upon as we refine our services and elevate our global standing,” shared Dr. Genevieve B. Kupang. “This recognition from CHED validates CAIRO’s shared vision: to project Cordilleran excellence onto the global stage while remaining deeply anchored in our sacred responsibility to culture, community, and transformative education.
Charting Higher Horizons, Building on the Momentum of ICONS 2025
Guided by divine grace and a steadfast commitment to excellence, Baguio Central University is poised to scale new heights in global HEI rankings. Our recent success at the ICONS Awards 2025 serves as a launchpad for future milestones, harmonizing BCU’s innovation with CAIRO’s regional synergy. This victory is more than a rank; it signals the Cordillera’s ascent as a global academic powerhouse—one that is deeply grounded in ecological stewardship, cultural integrity, and the resilient spirit of collaborative nation-building.
A Milestone Built on Partnership
BCU extends its sincerest appreciation to the visionary leaders of CHED-CAR. We are honored to work alongside former CHED-CAR Regional Directors Dr. Jimmy G. Catanes, now OIC-Regional Director Dr. Serafin L. Ngohayon, as well as the driving forces of regional global engagement: Dr. Godfrey Mendoza (Regional Internationalization Coordinator) and Ms. Quennie Leilanie Rombaoa (Regional IZN Alternate). Together with our peers in the Cordillera Association of International Relations Officers (CAIRO) headed by Ms. Ms. Melanie Rulla-Saro, we are charting a new course for Cordilleran excellence on the global stage.
