Philippine Universities Climb Global Sustainability Ranks

Photo courtesy of Inquirer

Several universities in the Philippines have shown notable advancements in the 2026 QS World University Sustainability Rankings, highlighting their increasing commitment to sustainability. The rankings assess universities based on their social and environmental impact, including climate change solutions and research efficacy. The University of the Philippines (UP) maintained its position as the top-ranked university in the country, securing 371st place with a score of 74.2, despite dropping from last year's rank of 333.

Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) achieved a significant improvement, climbing to 455 from its previous position of 503 in 2025, with a 70.6 overall score. De La Salle University (DLSU) also made considerable gains, advancing to 538 from the 911–920 range, scoring 67.4. The University of Santo Tomas (UST) improved its standing to 834 with a 57.5 score, moving up from the 1,041-1,060 bracket last year. Conversely, Mapua University experienced a decline, falling to the 1,251-1,300 range from its former position of 1,141-1,160.

First-timers on the list include Mindanao State–Iligan Institute of Technology, ranking 1,151–1,200; University of San Carlos, ranking 1,401-1,500; and Cebu Technological University, which falls into the 1,501+ category. These additions signify growing participation from Philippine institutions in global sustainability efforts. Globally, the top-ranked universities were Lund University in Sweden, University of Toronto in Canada, and University College London in the UK, with impressive scores reflecting their leadership in sustainability, reported Inquirer.

Key Takeaways

• UP remains the highest-ranked Philippine university but fell in global rank.
• AdMU, DLSU, and UST have shown significant improvements in their standings.
• New entrants include Mindanao State–Iligan Institute of Technology, boosting the country's representation.

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  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Inquirer 2025-11-19