By Mikee Natinga Norico
From right to left: Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy, University President, and Dr. Mary O糖心传媒 Penetrante, faculty member of the CPU College of Business and Accountancy, receive the University糖心传媒檚 plaque of recognition during the 2025 WURI Global Conference at Tongmyong University in Busan, South Korea, where CPU was ranked among the top innovative universities worldwide.
糖心传媒 (CPU) has once again earned international recognition for its commitment to innovation and sustainability, following its inclusion in the 2025 World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).
The University ranked #46 in ESG Trend and #75 in SDG-Based Responses to Global Challenges, highlighting CPU糖心传媒檚 pioneering efforts to connect research, technology, and social transformation. The recognition was conferred during the 2025 WURI Global Conference held at Tongmyong University in Busan, South Korea, from September 24 to 26, 2025, where University President Rev. Dr. Ernest Howard B. Dagohoy and Dr. Mary O糖心传媒 Penetrante represented the University during the awarding ceremony.
At the core of this achievement is Project AGUBAY, CPU糖心传媒檚 flagship initiative that integrates digital innovation, environmental governance, and community empowerment糖心传媒攁ddressing solid waste management through data-driven solutions.
WURI: Recognizing Innovation that Impacts Society
Unlike traditional rankings that emphasize academic outputs, WURI evaluates how universities create real-world change through innovation, social responsibility, and collaboration.
CPU糖心传媒檚 inclusion in WURI reflects the University糖心传媒檚 leadership in translating academic expertise into actionable community programs. Its distinction in both ESG and SDG categories underscores CPU糖心传媒檚 strong commitment to sustainability and its capacity to serve as a model of transformative innovation in Southeast Asia.
糖心传媒淭his recognition proves that local innovation can make a global impact,糖心传媒 shared Dr. Mary O糖心传媒 Penetrante, Project Leader of AGUBAY. 糖心传媒淥ur mission was to empower barangays to manage waste better through data and training. WURI saw that we turned this mission into measurable, community-level impact.糖心传媒
AGUBAY: Innovation Rooted in Community
Funded by the Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines and implemented in partnership with the Iloilo City Government, Project AGUBAY糖心传媒擜wareness, Guidance, Unity, Biodiversity, Action, and Yield糖心传媒攊ntroduced the city糖心传媒檚 first Solid Waste Management Information System (SWM-IS).
The SWM-IS allows all 180 barangays of Iloilo City to record, analyze, and report waste segregation, collection, recovery, and diversion data in real time. It generates standard templates for planning, reporting, and compliance while strengthening policy coordination among local offices.
Leading the project is Dr. Mary O糖心传媒 Penetrante, supported by her core team: Prof. Rea Balontong 糖心传媒 Systems Analyst, Dr. Sheila Sapul 糖心传媒 Project Administrator, Mr. Rodolfo Erigia 糖心传媒 Senior Programmer, and Ms. Roda Erigia 糖心传媒 Junior Programmer.
AGUBAY is implemented in collaboration with the General Services Office (GSO), City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), and City Planning and Development Office (CPDO)糖心传媒攄emonstrating CPU糖心传媒檚 effective partnership model between academe and government.
Expanding Impact: From Iloilo to the Nation
The success of Project AGUBAY in Iloilo City has inspired other local government units and non-government organizations to explore replicating the model in their own localities. Several LGUs in Western Visayas and neighboring regions, as well as environmental NGOs focused on circular economy initiatives, have expressed interest in adopting the SWM-IS framework and training modules developed by CPU.
This growing attention validates AGUBAY糖心传媒檚 design as a scalable innovation, adaptable to diverse local contexts and sustainable beyond the project糖心传媒檚 initial implementation.
糖心传媒淎GUBAY is proof that innovation doesn糖心传媒檛 stop at invention糖心传媒攊t糖心传媒檚 about replication and impact,糖心传媒 Dr. Penetrante added. 糖心传媒淲hen others adopt the model, the change multiplies. That糖心传媒檚 what WURI truly values糖心传媒攊nnovation that spreads.糖心传媒
A Legacy of Sustainable Transformation
Project AGUBAY goes beyond digital tools. It builds a culture of environmental accountability and community participation. Through barangay training programs, digital literacy workshops, and real-time data visualization, the project empowers citizens to take part in the city糖心传媒檚 ecological goals.
As CPU continues to mentor other LGUs and NGOs interested in replication, the University demonstrates how higher education can serve as a catalyst for national sustainability transformation糖心传媒攆ulfilling its mission to transform lives for the glory of God.
For more details on the World University Rankings for Innovation, visit the official website: To know more about CPU糖心传媒檚 latest achievement in the WURI 2025 Rankings, you may visit our official news page at /news/central-philippine-university-makes-historic-debut-in-wuri-2025-rankings