Highlights of 2023
DECEMBER 5-15, 2023
LNU Forges International Partnerships for Sustainable Development and Youth Empowerment at Global Conference
Dr. Villas, representing Leyte Normal University (LNU), recently embarked on a mission to Dubai to cultivate partnerships with UN agencies and global organizations to support university initiatives. The mission showcased logistical planning and robust interactions, setting a collaborative stage for LNU’s future endeavors.
Upon arrival, Dr. Villas was greeted by High-Level Champions and encountered unique challenges with the conference’s dispersed pavilion layout, which impacted spontaneous networking opportunities. Nevertheless, significant connections were made. On December 6th, he met with Dr. Renzo Guinto, Director of St. Luke's Global Health, paving the way for collaboration through site visits and academic exchanges.
Dr. Villas also focused on youth engagement and climate policy by leading a session at the Children and Youth Pavilion and conducting a "COP28 Pavilion Audit," revealing that over 80% of pavilions promoted youth-focused activities. This initiative aligns with his commitment to inclusivity and transparency, setting standards for COP29 youth involvement.
A notable achievement of the mission was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Dholakia Foundation, aiming to strengthen Philippine-Indian educational ties through student exchanges, joint research, and community outreach.
Further, Dr. Villas presented the ongoing development of the Youth Dynamic Policy Agenda (YDPA), highlighting its roots in COY16 and emphasizing the collaborative, non-hierarchical structure of his team. He underscored the vital role of education in fostering sustainable development.
Looking ahead, LNU anticipates strategic partnerships with organizations such as the HLC, Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), and UNFCCC. These collaborations will offer internships, joint research, and practical alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, enhancing opportunities for LNU students and faculty in sustainable development education.
OCTOBER 25-26, 2023
𝗟𝗡𝗨 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗥𝗖𝗣 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
The National Research Council of the Philippines (NRCP), in partnership with Leyte Normal University, held the two-day 20th NRCP Visayas Regional Cluster Convention and Stakeholders’ Engagement: Strengthening Network with LGUs, HEIs, and the Third Sector, October 25-26, 2023, at LNU HRDC Multipurpose Hall.
The said convention was anchored on the theme, “Towards a Positive VUCAD2 Future: Developing a Sustainable Blue Economy in the Visayas.
The two-day convention aimed to provide opportunities for partnerships among HEIs, LGUs, and the Third Sector on policy research agenda setting, funding, resource generation, and capacity building. It was graced by NRCP Members from different state universities and colleges in the Philippines, local government units in the Visayas Region, and members of the Third Sector.
The NRCP is an attached agency to the Department of Science and Technology and an advisory body to the Philippine Government on matters of national interest. At the present, LNU has 20 NRCP members.
AUGUST 8-11, 2023
JUNE 27-29, 2023
The annual International Multidisciplinary Research Conference of the university this year was held last June 27-29, 2023. It was attended by a total of two hundred fifteen participants coming from different regions of the Philippines and from other parts of the globe. With the theme "Breaking Barriers for Sustainable Development", the three-day conference highlighted fifty-five (55) research outputs presented in parallel sessions aimed in creating a sustainable and better environment.
Day 1 plenary forum discussants were Hon.Yedda Marie Romualdez and Jude Acidre as Tingog Partylist Representatives, President of Southern Luzon State University (SLSU) Dr. Doracie Zoleta-Nantes, President of Occidental Mindoro State College Dr. Elbert Edaniol, and Dr. Phung Van De of Tra Vinh University from Vietnam who shared about differents programs and ways that could be replicated to accelerate SDGS.
Day 2 plenary forum discussants were Atty. Hemavathi Shekhar of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Youngo FP Global South, and Atty. Analiza Rebuelta Teh, Undersecretary of the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR). Other discussants included Dr. Jeffrey Ballaret and Dr. Jonel Lanada , professors from West Visayas State University, and Director Edgardo Delmo, the representative of Mr. Tomas Testor, the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services of Polytechnic University of the Philippines who shared valuable inputs on accelerating the SDG's at their respective institutions.
During the 2nd day, a Memorandum of Understanding was also sealed between Leyte Normal University and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP)-San Juan Campus, Southern Luzon State University, and Occidental Mindoro State College.
On the third day of the conference, a proceeding report was presented by ORI Executive Director and IMRC 2023 Conference Chair, Dr. Jonas Villas titled "Mechanisms that Emerge as a Driver in Breaking Barriers for SDG."
JUNE 1, 2023
Impact Ranking
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It uses carefully calibrated indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparison across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching. The 2023 Impact Ranking is the fifth edition, and the overall ranking includes 1,591 universities from 112 countries/regions.
𝗟𝗲𝘆𝘁𝗲 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁: 𝟲𝟬𝟭-𝟴𝟬𝟬 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗧𝗛𝗘) 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
The Leyte Normal University emerged top in the global Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2023 alongside:
201–300
Ateneo de Manila
401–600
De La Salle University
University of the Philippines
601-800
Batangas State University
𝑳𝒆𝒚𝒕𝒆 𝑵𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒂𝒍 𝑼𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒚
Mariano Marcos State University
University of Santo Tomas
801–1000
Central Luzon State University
Mapúa University
Philippine Normal University
Saint Louis University
1001+
Benguet State University
Bulacan State University
Cebu Technological University
Central Bicol State University of Agriculture
Central Philippine University
Central Philippines State University
University of Eastern Philippines
Isabela State University
Lyceum-Northwestern University
Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology
Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology (NEUST)
San Beda University
University of San Carlos
University of Science and Technology of Southern Philippines (USTP)
Southern Leyte State University
St Paul University Philippines
Visayas State University
The Leyte Normal University was ranked in the following specific SDGs:
201 – 300: SDG 1 (No Poverty)
401 – 600: SDG 4 (Quality Education)
201 – 300: SDG 5 (Gender Equality)
601 – 800: SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
MAY 18, 2023
𝗟𝗡𝗨 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘀𝗽𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝟭𝟬𝟬 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗪𝗨𝗥𝗜 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯
Leyte Normal University (LNU) received another international recognition after ranking 96th in the Global Top 100 Innovative Universities in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2023. The result was made public at the WURI Conference 2023, at Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida, USA, from May 15 to 17, 2023.
The university also clinched world top rankings at WURI: 27th for Student Mobility and Openness, 30th for Ethical Quality, and 36th for Fourth Industrial Revolution.
WURI, the first global innovative university ranking, evaluates the universities across the globe with "real contributions to the society, highlighting creative and innovative approaches of universities' research and educational programs." As a first-time WURI participant, the university attributed the award to the LNU community's and stakeholders' collective effort. It manifests the unified efforts of the LNU Community – the administration, faculty, staff, and students and the commitment towards high-quality education by upholding its values of excellence, integrity, and service.
The said recognitions realized the university's vision under the leadership of the LNU University President Dr. Evelyn Aguirre, specifically on engagement in knowledge, technology, and innovation creation (Goal No. 3); and emphasis on strengthened and expanded internationalization initiatives (Goal No. 04) which includes the university's effort to participate on world rankings for global visibility and presence.
Meanwhile, the participation of Dr. Aguirre and Dr. Jonas Villas, Executive Director of the Office of Research, in the WURI event, as well as the subsequent recognitions received by the university, highlight the institution's continuous efforts to foster international collaborations and provide a solid foundation for its future endeavors in knowledge, technology, and global engagement.
MAY 4, 2023
MARCH 23, 2023
To honor the exemplary performance of Normalistas, Leyte Normal University conducts the 17th Annual Dayaw Awards 2023 with the theme "Honoring tradition valuing leadership" held at the HRDC Alba Hall, Thursday, March 23.
Since its launching in 2007, the Dayaw Awards is one of the highlights of the founding anniversary of Leyte Normal University. It has become the highest recognition platform for faculty, personnel, and students of the institution for their performance and achievements that have significantly contributed to the attainment of the vision, mission, and goals of the university. The objectives of the Dayaw Awards are to:
Recognize top-caliber faculty, personnel, students, and alumni for their exemplary performance.
Inspire faculty, personnel, and students in the university to excel in their respective Endeavors.
Continue the tradition of excellence wherever the faculty, non-teaching employees, and students go.
In her opening message, Leyte Normal University President Dr. Evelyn Aguirre gives honor to the nominees and awardees of the 17th Dayaw Awards held at the HRDC Alba Hall during the Day 3 of the 102nd Anniversary Celebration of the university.
The 17th Annual Dayaw Awards is one of the highlights of the week-long foundation celebration of the university.
MARCH 21-23, 2023
Leyte Normal University (LNU) played a key role in developing the Youth Development Plan and Agenda (YDPA), which was introduced at the 2023 UN Water Conference. LNU’s involvement came through Dr. Jonas P. Villas, who served as an editor, co-author, and research consultant on the YDPA, emphasizing LNU’s dedication to advancing global water and climate initiatives. This collaborative effort underscores LNU’s commitment to empowering youth-driven solutions for sustainable development, supporting the vision of the UN Water and Climate Coalition and its youth constituency, UN1FY.
On March 21, 2023, Leyte Normal University takes the global stage as we present the Youth Development Plan and Agenda (YDPA) in water action agenda, a side event of the United Nations Water Conference with UN1FY, Microsoft, and UNMGCY as organizing partners.
On March 22, 2023, the UN Water Conference was officially opened. The YDPA was presented by one of its authors Zainab Zahid from UN1FY - the youth constituency of the UN Water and Climate Coalition, in the forum: A new generation of urban climate solutions.
MARCH 16-18, 2023
MARCH 15, 2023
