QUEZON CITY -- The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) commended the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) for being rated as a 4-Stars Institution by the QS Stars Ratings System of the Quacquarelli Symonds, one of the world’s leading providers of services, analytics, and insight to the global higher education sector.

Through rigorous and independent data collection and analysis of performance metrics (as set out in the QS Stars methodology), the LPU received an overall rating of 4-Stars. 

LPU is the first Higher Education Institution (HEI) in the Philippines  to be re-evaluated by QS. In 2016, LPU was awarded 3-stars rating making it the first private, non-sectarian university to be rated by the QS Stars Rating System. 

“I know it is very challenging because you have to make hard decisions when you decide to internationalize. My experience in UP made me seriously push for internationalization when I joined CHED in 2016. My thinking was quite simple. If CHED was more supportive, more Philippine HEIs can internationalize faster,” said CHED Chairman Popoy De Vera.

Ratings are valid for at least 2 years and may be renewed by the HEI by undergoing a re-evaluation.

The QS Stars rating system is operated by the QS Intelligence Unit, the independent compiler of the QS World University Rankings since 2004. The system evaluates universities across a wide range of important performance indicators as set against pre-established international standards. 

By covering a broader range of criteria than any world ranking exercise, QS Stars shines a light on both the excellence and the diversity of the rated institution.

This year, LPU received 5-Stars in the categories of teaching, employability and inclusiveness, 4-stars in academic development, facilities and social responsibility, and 2-Stars in internationalization. 

The university also received a 4-Stars rating in a specialist criteria – its  Bachelor of Science in International Hospitality Management. 

“Since 2016, I am happy that many Philippine Universities including LPU, have decided to compete with top universities in the world by restructuring the way they look at their programs, understanding the dynamics of international ranking, and more importantly, to really invest in internationalization initiatives,” De Vera said.

Lyceum of the Philippines University has campuses in Manila, Makati, Batangas, Laguna and Cavite, and has also been rated as a nationally recognized university that has begun to attract international recognition, maintaining a reputable level of research, and whose graduates have a better chance of acquiring employment.  

“The internationalization of Philippine HEIs has been a key strategy of the Duterte administration to improve the quality of education so we can produce world class graduates. I look forward to LPU joining not only the best universities in Asia, but the best universities in the world,” De Vera added.

“Under the watch of Chairman Popoy De Vera, the LPU system has gone from 3 to 4 star rating. I think the challenge of Chairman De Vera to be among the best universities in Asia Pacific Region and the world is very possible. It gives us a great deal of inspiration and above all, we recognize that we cannot do all of this without your full and committed support,” said Atty. Bobby Laurel, President of LPU Manila and Cavite. (CHED)