First-time milestone celebrates the university’s commitment to people, the planet, and purpose.
There’s a fresh wave of pride sweeping through the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST), and for good reason. In a milestone moment for the province and the country, the Iloilo State University of Fisheries Science and Technology (ISUFST) has entered the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings—its debut in the global list of universities driving real-world change.
Ranked in the 1501+ bracket out of 2,318 institutions worldwide, ISUFST’s inclusion, announced on June 18, 2025, is a meaningful nod to its roots in community service and its growing role in promoting science, education, and sustainability at both local and global levels.
As the country’s only state university specializing in fisheries, ISUFST’s entry into THE’s global sustainability scoreboard marks a turning point. The rankings are not about fame or prestige—they measure how well a university is living up to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the world’s blueprint for a fairer, greener, and more peaceful future. For ISUFST, it is an affirmation that its years of quiet but committed work are being seen.
And what a debut it was. The university earned distinction in five SDGs, demonstrating that, although new to the rankings game, it’s no novice when it comes to purpose-driven education.
The university’s strongest showing came in SDG 14: Life Below Water, where it ranked between 301–400 worldwide. That makes perfect sense—fisheries and marine science have long been ISUFST’s heart and soul. From coastal biodiversity research to community-based marine conservation programs, the university has made waves not only in academia but in the lives of fisherfolk and coastal dwellers.
Meanwhile, SDG 4: Quality Education saw ISUFST placed in the 1001–1500 bracket. But numbers do not tell the whole story. What stands out is the university’s unwavering drive to bring education to the margins—to equity-seeking learners, to students in far-flung barangays, and to every young person who dares to dream of a better life through learning.
The university also made meaningful strides in three more areas:
SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (601–800), reflecting its advocacy for ethical governance, anti-corruption practices, and education for peace;
SDG 15: Life on Land (801+), in recognition of its agro-ecological research and land stewardship programs;
and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals (1501+), which celebrates ISUFST’s many linkages—with government, civil society, and international partners alike.
For ISUFST, the rankings affirm that its blend of science and service is making waves beyond Western Visayas. New to the global stage, its journey is powered by grit, growth, and real impact.
CHED seems to agree. Just this year, the Commission on Higher Education recognized ISUFST for excellence in fisheries education, peace education, internationalization, Indigenous Peoples (IP) education, and community extension. The national spotlight has slowly but surely turned toward this institution—and now the world is catching on, too.
The Philippines also had a standout year, with 121 universities making it to the 2025 Impact Rankings—double last year’s count. This puts the country first in Southeast Asia and third in the world, behind only India and Pakistan, reflecting the steady rise of Filipino higher education on the global stage.
Now on its sixth year, the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings remains the only international system that gauges how well schools contribute to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with SDG 17 on partnerships as a required benchmark.
At home, ISUFST continues to walk the talk. With five campuses, 8,500 students, and 280 dedicated faculty, half of which are doctors in their respective specializations, ISUFST stays true to its mission: growing skilled, socially conscious professionals ready to help build a more sustainable world.
The global ranking may be humble, but the message is loud and clear—ISUFST is making its mark where it matters. It signals a university coming into its own—rooted in the soil and sea of Iloilo but reaching farther than ever before. (Herman Lagon/Patrick Lance Nacion/PAMMCO)
