UST becomes first PH university with 5-star QS rating

UST has become the first and only higher education institution (HEI) in the Philippines with a five-star Quacquarelli-Symonds (QS) rating, the second highest rating.

QS recognized UST’s Doctor of Medicine program as its specialization and gave it a perfect score in graduate employability as well as high scores in completion and student satisfaction and accreditation.

Of the seven other categories on which the rating was based, the University secured five stars in teaching, employability, internationalization and facilities.

It received four stars in academic development, the category that took into account the availability of faculty development programs and membership in university networks.

UST got three stars in the arts and culture and inclusiveness categories.

UST’s facilities, concerts, events, exhibitions and accolades were evaluated in the arts and culture category. 

Inclusiveness focused on gender balance, scholarship funds, and facilities for people with disabilities.

The QS website defines five-star universities as “generally world-class in a broad range of areas, enjoys a high reputation and has cutting-edge facilities and internationally renowned research and teaching faculty.”

UST was also the first Philippine university to be given a four-star rating. It became a four-star University in 2015, and the distinction was renewed in 2018.

QS Stars gave UST its new five-star rating on June 25, valid until 2024.

‘Stars more important than rankings’

Nestor Ong, head of the UST Office of the QS/THE Ranking, said the rating, bestowed upon the University in the third review cycle of the higher education network, was more important than QS rankings.

“A star rating can visually signal additional complexity beneath ranking results,” Ong told the Varsitarian. 

“[The] QS Stars [rating system] provides a means of showing strengths in more detail than what is possible through rankings, as well as identifying areas for improvement,” he said.

The University fell outside the world’s top 1,000 universities in the 2022 QS World University ranking and was ranked in the 1,001-1,200 bracket.

QS is a London-based firm specializing in services, analytics, and insights related to higher education.

We are very grateful for the trust and confidence you have given us and the Office of the Rector to empower us to deliver those challenges in both rankings and ratings. 

We are also very thankful to Rev. Fr. Roberto L. Luanzon, Jr., OP, SThD, Vice-Rector for Finance for allowing us to work an extended working hour in our designated office in the UST Main Building on those critical days to meet the November 30, 2020, deadline for both THE Impact Rankings 2021 and QS Stars Certificate’s renewal. 

The Rev. Pablo T. Tiong, O.P. that whenever we meet outside the UST Main Building lobby, he always asks about our situation with my Office Assistant, Vien Vic G. Flores. And Fr. Tiong devotes his time and attention to an inspiring conversation. 

The relentless efforts and unselfish cooperation of top administrative officials and some academic officials and administrators. 

Most of all, we thank the LORD for giving us wisdom, knowledge and understanding because it is not that easy to work amid this Covid-19 pandemic. As well as the courage not to think of the threat of Covid-19, so that we could simultaneously deliver the necessary data and evidence base for both QS Stars and THE Higher Education Impact Rankings given the same deadlines. 

TO GOD BE ALL THE GLORY!

—Nestor Ong, head of the UST Office of QS/THE Rankings