UI GreenMetric Brings Sustainable Campus Rankings to Region I, Philippines
JAKARTA, 6 August 2026 – UI GreenMetric held a Regional Information Session on the Sustainable University Rankings for higher education institutions (HEIs) in Region I, Philippines, together with the Commission on Higher Education Regional Office I (CHED RO I). Held online as part of ASEAN Month 2026 under CHED RO I's Project LINK for ASEAN 2026, the session reached the region's 93 HEIs across Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Pangasinan. Moderated by Ms. Chloe Mari A. Hufana, the program opened with remarks from Dr. Vishnu Juwono, S.E., M.I.A., Chairperson of UI GreenMetric, who called the Philippines a nation of ideas and said the real challenge for universities today is turning sustainability commitment into concrete climate solutions. Engr. Angelica Q. Dolores, Supervising Education Program Specialist of CHED Regional Office 1 (CHED RO I), speaking on behalf of CHED RO I Regional Director Dr. Cherrie Melanie Ancheta-Diego, shared that 14 HEIs from Region I are already part of the 2025 rankings and encouraged more institutions to join.
Sabrina Hikmah Ramadianti, S.Si., of UI GreenMetric, delivered the main presentation, introducing the 2026 rankings' seven criteria: Setting and Infrastructure (11%), Energy and Climate Change (20%), Water (11%), Waste (17%), Education and Research (13%), Transportation (17%), and a newly added Governance and Digitalization category (11%), covering sustainability budgeting, AI and IoT use, and gender equity in leadership. She shared that 1,745 universities from 105 countries joined the 2025 rankings, with the Philippines placing fourth worldwide at 89 participating universities, up from zero in 2010. The country's top three institutions were De La Salle University Dasmariñas, Mariano Marcos State University, and Batangas State University. She outlined the 2026 timeline, submissions until 30 June, validation in July – August, and results announced in September in Baku, Azerbaijan, noting that participation remains free this year.
The floor then opened for questions, led by Rahmi, S.Hum., M.Sc., Ph.D., Manager of Operations, Data and Service Development at UI GreenMetric. She explained that data is verified through evidence submitted by universities, official documents, datasets, or photos, reviewed by trained assessors rather than routine site visits, and fielded further questions on handling missing submission data, the energy use of AI and data centers under the new Governance and Digitalization category, and how gender and development programs can be tied to specific indicators. The session reflected the ongoing partnership between UI GreenMetric and CHED RO I in building sustainability awareness across Region I, leaving participating universities with a clearer picture of the new criteria and practical steps to strengthen their next submission on the road to Baku.
With data submission and validation for the 2026 cycle now closed, the wait shifts to what comes next, the UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Ranking Result and Global Announcement, where this year's rankings will officially be revealed. Universities everywhere, participants and observers alike, are encouraged to be part of the moment and see how institutions worldwide are advancing sustainable campus development. UI GreenMetric looks ahead to welcoming even more universities into its growing global community in the year to come. Those looking to join the event in Azerbaijan can register at asoiu.edu.az/greenMetric/registration
Written by Fayyaza Ayesha Wibowo - Communication Intern of UI GreenMetric
