CSU HONORED WITH CHED ICONS AWARD; OIC IBAÑEZ, DEAN BATTUNG RECEIVE IZN LEADERSHIP AWARD

On behalf of Cagayan State University (CSU), President Dr. Arthur G. Ibañez received a prestigious national award today during the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability (ICONS) Awards 2025, held at the Philippine International Convention Center.

CHED Chair Shirley Agrupis, herself a former ICONS awardee during her tenure as university president of Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU), personally presented a certificate of commendation to Dr. Ibañez.

This recognition underscores the university’s recent accomplishments as a leading higher education institution (HEI), notably ranked 1,001-1,500 in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 and 221st in the World University Rankings for Innovation 2025.

Assisting the chair in presenting the award were Commissioners Ricmar Aquino, Myrna Mallari and Michelle Ong. The ICONS Awards annually honor public and private HEIs that demonstrate outstanding contributions to the internationalization of Philippine higher education, fostering global competitiveness and nation-building.

CSU received the same award last year, reaffirming its continued commitment to excellence in internationalization and innovation.

This recognition highlights CSU’s dedication to remaining a competitive, future-ready, and globally acclaimed HEI—an essential step toward achieving SUC Level IV status.

Dr. Ibañez emphasized that the award motivates the university to further strengthen its internationalization efforts and elevate the presence of Philippine higher education on the global stage.

In addition to the institutional recognition, CSU also garnered individual awards on the same occasion. Dr. Ibañez was named second runner-up in the "Internationalization Leadership Award" category, while CSU’s Times Higher Education focal person and UN SDGs Champion, Dr. Giged Battung, dean of the College of Business Entrepreneurship and Accountancy, was also awarded second runner-up in the "ICON Emerging Leadership Award" category.

After the ceremony, CHED Regional Director Julieta Paras greeted the OIC and congratulated him for the awards received.

This collective recognition affirms CSU’s unwavering commitment to advancing higher education excellence and fostering global partnerships.