The University of Perpetual Help System Laguna (UPHSL) served as a key resource institution during the University of Mindanao’s (UM) benchmarking session on the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), held via Zoom last November 19, 2025. This focused exchange allowed UM to gain deeper insight into UPHSL’s innovation frameworks and the strategies that helped the university achieve strong global placements. UPHSL shared its notable WURI achievements, including its rankings in Empowerment-Based Management (Rank 17), Funding for Sustainability (Rank 17), and University Brand and Reputation (Rank 17), a collective milestones that highlight the institution’s commitment to purposeful innovation and people-centered leadership.
The benchmarking activity was headed by Dr. Catherine de Jesus, Director for Quality Assurance, whose guidance ensured a collaborative and learner-centered discussion throughout the session. The program opened with warm and encouraging remarks from Dr. Genevieve Realon, Vice Chancellor, who spoke on behalf of UPHSL and emphasized the university’s dedication to supporting fellow institutions in their journey toward innovation and global competitiveness. Their presence set a welcoming and humanizing tone, reflecting UPHSL’s belief that genuine partnerships grow from shared experiences, openness, and the willingness to uplift one another.
A key highlight of the session was the presentation of Dr. Josefa G. Carrillo, Director for International and External Affairs, who shared the core of UPHSL’s WURI B2 submission on Empowerment-Based Management. She spoke about empowerment not just as a system but as a lived reality within UPHSL, where employees are trusted, mentored, and given meaningful opportunities to lead. Dr. Carrillo’s human-centered narrative emphasized that empowerment thrives when people feel valued and supported, offering UM a relatable and inspiring perspective on how a nurturing institutional culture fuels innovation and growth.
Completing the lineup, Dr. Peter Estellore, Director for Marketing, presented UPHSL’s WURI-recognized initiatives in Sustainability Funding and University Brand and Reputation. He shared how strategic resource generation and thoughtful branding efforts helped shape UPHSL’s global standing. As the session concluded, UPHSL reiterated that this benchmarking engagement aligns with SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, affirming its ongoing commitment to knowledge-sharing, collaborative advancement, and strengthening innovation ecosystems across Philippine higher education
