The academic impression of Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) following a series of international recognitions this year impressed the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), minting the “Home of Topnotchers” as one of its Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability (ICONS) Awardees for 2023.
During its broadcasted ceremony on 06 October 2023, Executive Vice President (EVP) Don August Santos personally received the recognition that pays tribute to the active commitment of OLFU in branding Philippine higher education with international academic merit.
The commendation particularly celebrates OLFU’s exceptional performance in internationally-recognized ranking metrics: the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) and Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS) Stars by the QS Intelligence Unit.
In May 2023, it can be recalled that OLFU broke into the stringent WURI following the intensive competition this year, earning spots in both the Fourth Industrial Revolution Category (Top 50) and the distinguished Global Top Innovative Universities (Top 101-200). Having also been recognized for the latter in 2022, the award this year makes it a back-to-back win for the University.
Two months later in July 2023, the institution secured yet another global recognition as eminent Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS) Stars designated OLFU with a QS 4 Stars Rating, satisfying the performance metrics set out in the QS Stars methodology at first bid.
For the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Asia 2023, OLFU’s ingenious delivery of the Multiple Applications for Reality-Virtuality Experience Laboratory (MARVEL) scored as a Finalist for the Technological and Digital Innovation Year Category.
In compliance with the Republic Act of 11448 or the “Transnational Higher Education Act,” OLFU surely understands the integral partnerships across territories and institutions in shaping an industry that foster a vibrant exchange of culture and expertise. In this way, instructional delivery, research efforts, and faculty development are revolutionized according to the thriving needs of the global community.
The series of international awards that OLFU has received for this year alone only asserts its cemented position to only predict a future that rises to the top. – Raymond Lumagsao
