Western Philippines University (WPU) held its SDG Orientation-Workshop 2025 on September 5 at the WPU Training Center-Main Campus. The event commenced with the theme “WPU at the Forefront: Global Standing and Initiatives for the Sustainable Development Goals.” The one-day activity was spearheaded by the Internationalization and External Affairs Office (IEAO).
The orientation gathered university leaders, including deans, department heads, program chairs, unit and office heads, faculty, and staff, to discuss WPU’s role in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and strengthening its participation in global initiatives.
On behalf of University President Dr. Amabel S. Liao, Mr. Joseph Dominic S. Liao, Executive Assistant and OIC of the Information Office, opened the program. He emphasized the importance of documenting and sharing each office’s accomplishments. He also highlighted the need for every office to contribute to a stronger institutional presence, ensuring that WPU’s progress is communicated to both local and global communities, especially through the official WPU website.
The IEAO focal persons led the discussions. Dr. Anne Gellie Pablo presented updates on WPU’s global ranking and the Times Higher Education (THE) methodology. She pointed to international rankings not as a competition, but as a platform to measure and improve WPU’s impact on sustainable development.
“To showcase our contributions, we need to align with global standards and frameworks. Participating in the World Impact Rankings allows us to communicate our progress, gain visibility, and benchmark ourselves internationally,” Dr. Pablo said.
Engr. Danny Abrina, Focal Person for Student Mobility, provided an overview of the UN SDGs, setting the foundation for understanding how each goal connects to WPU’s programs and initiatives. Mr. Kim Kenneth Roca, Focal Person for International Communications, followed with a discussion on the WPU SDG Center and strategies for global ranking, outlining how the university can systematize its efforts for greater visibility and alignment with the UN framework.
The program closed with remarks from Ms. Shiela Torreflores, Information Officer III and Acting Board Secretary, that served as both a reminder and a challenge—to view the SDGs not only as institutional measures, but as everyday responsibilities in teaching, research, and community engagement.
“SDGs are not just global targets; they are a call to action for institutions like ours, and for each of us individually. What we have learned today is more than numbers or ranking. It is about reaffirming our commitment as a university to align with global standards, to highlight the good initiatives we are already undertaking, and to strive for improvement continually.”
The SDG Orientation 2025 is more than a one-time gathering; it is a step forward in WPU’s long-term strategy to contribute to the UN SDGs while strengthening its visibility online and internationally. By integrating SDG-focused initiatives across colleges and offices, WPU aims to transcend as a university that actively drives sustainable development in Palawan and beyond.
Part of this direction is building a stronger online presence through the WPU website, where updates on projects, partnerships, and accomplishments can reach the wider community and global partners. Through this effort, WPU positions itself not only as a higher education institution but also as a partner in shaping solutions for global challenges.
[This article is in line with the SDGs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, & 17]