LAGANGILANG, ABRA – The Abra State Institute of Sciences and Technology (ASIST) is officially charting a course for both national quality distinction and global recognition, following a high-impact Introduction, Orientation, and Write-shop on the Philippine Quality Awards (PQA), Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Rating, and World Universities with Real Impact (WURI) Rankings, held on October 21, 2025 at the ASIST Training and Development Center (ATDC), Main Campus.
The program, spearheaded by International Affairs Director, Ms. Patricia A. Benedito, commenced with a thorough introduction to the prestigious Philippine Quality Awards by Dr. Cristina J. Buenafe, setting the benchmark for institutional quality and performance. Following this, Mr. Jefferson M. Ballesteros provided an insightful overview of the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Rating, delving into its intricate metrics and crucial alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This segment equipped participants with a deeper understanding of how ongoing efforts of the ASIST contribute to a more sustainable future.
The momentum continued with Dr. Alexis A. Enriquez and Mr. Reymond S. Vasquez, who explained the core principles of WURI 2026 Innovation and Global Recognition. They comprehensively discussed what WURI entails and its newly introduced categories, inspiring attendees to think critically about the unique contributions of the ASIST to global innovation. Further fueling this inspiration, Ms. Kae Ann Marie P. Balingit shared her firsthand experience from Busan, South Korea, recounting her journey as a presenter at the WURI Global Conference (WGC) 2025. Her narrative provided a tangible connection to the international stage and the profound impact of sharing local initiatives globally.
The institution's leadership provided strong encouragement and direction for the ambitious endeavor. ASIST President, Dr. Gregorio T. Turqueza Jr., and Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Noel B. Begnalen, both underscored the profound importance of effective storytelling in the submissions. Their key advice resonated: as the institute seeks to go global, it must not forget its local roots, and the narratives must be centered on the specific, inspiring needs of the local community that ASIST is solving for the world to see.
The intensive write-shop concluded with a vital organizational phase—the identification and assignment of participants and writers. Teams were immediately organized and tasked according to the different SDGs, metrics, and categories discussed, transforming the day’s learnings into immediate, actionable strategy.
This concerted effort represents more than a quest for accolades. For ASIST, the journey toward the PQA, THE, and WURI is about affirming that innovation born in the highlands of Abra holds solutions for global challenges. It is about a collective commitment to harness local genius and tell the powerful, true stories of an institution whose impact is felt most profoundly in its own community yet deserves to be recognized by the world. The work has only just begun, but the energy of the ASIST community is a beacon, positively looking forward to the recognition that will validate not its fame, but the essential, life-changing stories it must share.
