Author: Joseph Renor Obrino

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to innovation and global impact, earning the 381st position in the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) 2026: Global Top 500 Innovative Universities. This achievement builds upon the university’s exceptional performance in previous rankings, solidifying its place among worldwide institutions dedicated to forward-thinking strategies and transformative contributions. NwSSU’s consistent position in these prestigious rankings highlights its dedication to fostering an institution of innovation, pertinence, and sustainable development. WURI is a global ranking system which evaluates universities by focusing on their real-world contributions and societal impact, emphasizing innovation, resilience, and responsiveness in its academic, research, and community engagement. NwSSU’s participation and continued recognition in WURI emphasize its success in adopting innovative practices that address contemporary global challenges. Reflecting on its performance in the 2025 WURI Rankings, NwSSU previously achieved remarkable placements, including 24th globally in the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Trend category. The university also secured 47th worldwide in Funding for Sustainability and 51st in Crisis Management. These past achievements exemplify NwSSU’s integrated approach to sustainability, ethical leadership, resourceful financial planning, and its agility in confronting disruptions and natural disasters. NwSSU’s sustained performance in the WURI rankings, now including its 381st spot in 2026, serves as a powerful testament to its UpRISE—progressive, inclusive, and impactful educational practices. By integrating sustainability, crisis resilience, and principled governance within its core, NwSSU continues to exemplify how state universities can drive transformative change, effectively serving both local communities and addressing broader global challenges. #WURI2026 #RISENwSSU

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) successfully concluded its SOCOTEC First Surveillance Visit on April 30, 2026, marking another significant milestone in maintaining its ISO 9001:2015 certification. The rigorous two-day audit, attended by key officials, faculty members, and non-teaching staff, emphasized the university’s steadfast commitment to quality management and adherence to international ISO standards. Led by Ms. Hannah Leah Bautista, Lead Auditor, and Ms. Harlene Vizcarra, Support Auditor, the audit aimed to ensure continuous improvement and operational excellence across all university functions. The surveillance visit commenced on April 29, 2026, with an extensive audit across both the NwSSU Main and San Jorge Campuses. On Day 1, auditors comprehensively reviewed Tertiary Education, including laboratory facilities, curriculum development, and library services at the Main Campus. A focused verification of NCm01 was also conducted for the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program, alongside audits of the University Registrar’s Office, SPIFPDO, Security, and the University Motorpool. Concurrently, the San Jorge Campus also underwent a thorough review of its Tertiary Education, encompassing laboratory and curriculum development, with specific verification of NCm01 and NCm02 for the Bachelor of Science in Agriculture – Animal Science (BSA – ANSCI) program, highlighting NwSSU’s dedication to diverse academic excellence. Day 2 of the audit, April 30, 2026, continued with a meticulous review of key departments of NwSSU Main Campus. The auditors thoroughly examined the operations of the offices of Research and Extension, Management Information System (MIS), Student Affairs and Services (SAS), and Guidance Services. These audits are crucial in ensuring that all facets of the university’s administration and student support systems align with the rigorous requirements of the ISO 9001:2015 standard, reflecting a holistic approach to quality assurance. Prior to the culmination of the activity, the auditors engaged in an internal audit, a management review, and an auditor’s meeting to consolidate their findings. The outcome of these reviews was overwhelmingly positive, indicating that NwSSU’s quality management systems are strong and effectively implemented. This positive assessment reaffirms the university’s commitment to maintaining high standards in all its operations and services, which is vital for its continuous development and reputation. The successful surveillance visit concluded with a closing meeting held at the Business Development Center (BDC) third floor. The positive results of the audit not only secure NwSSU’s ISO 9001:2015 certification but also strengthen its commitment to providing exceptional education and services to its students and stakeholders.

The University Health Center (UHC) requested Water Quality Testing to analyze the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of water supply within the Main Campus last April 27, 2026. This will help determine if the water is safe for consumption and general use by identifying contaminants and ensuring compliance with health standards. Appropriate sampling sites were selected after a meeting with the SPFIDO Repair and Maintenance Division Head, Engr. John Dale E. Yabao. Further, the team was guided by Mr. Jerome S. Caliste to properly locate the water sampling sites within the University. Ms. Janice Maribojoc – Operations Manager, Analytical Services from Calbayog Water Company, Inc. conducted the water sampling and specimen collection at designated sites. As of this posting, UHC is awaiting the summarized report of the Water Quality Test for evaluation and recommendations.

Northwest Samar State University celebrates its outstanding delegates for bringing pride and excellence to the national stage during the PASUC National Culture and the Arts Festival 2026, held at West Visayas State University in Iloilo City. Congratulations to Alyzza Grace P. Errojo for securing 2nd Place in Dramatic Monologue (English) and to Cristel Conarco for earning 3rd Place in Oratorio. Your performances reflect not only talent, but dedication to the craft and the power of storytelling. Kudos as well to our National Qualifiers: Teatro Dagway (Short and Sweet Play/Dialogue), Mary Hannah Gabrinao (Dramatic Monologue – Filipino), Jose Lou Salurio with Benzon Escobar (Banduria Competition), and the NwSSU Singers (Show Choir) for proudly representing the university in their respective categories. Your achievements highlight the strength of NwSSU in culture and the arts, proving that Norwessians continue to shine on the national stage. May these achievement continue to inspire more Norwessians to pursue excellence in the arts and beyond. Keep creating, keep striving, and keep raising the banner of the university! #RISENwSSU #PASUCNCAF2026

Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) met with representatives from the Provincial Government of Samar and partner institutions to discuss preparations for the Fortresses and Frontiers: Student Heritage Documentation and Interpretation Challenge, during a coordination meeting held March 31, 2026, at the Spark Samar Development Hub in Catbalogan City. The meeting gathered representatives to align plans for the upcoming heritage-focused activity scheduled on May 20–23, 2026, at the Samar Convention Center. Among those present from NwSSU were Dr. Joseph Emil A. David, EnP. Novlloyd E. Celeste, and Ar. Vanessa R. Ayllon. Representatives from the Provincial Tourism Office included Mr. Etelbert D. Conde and Mr. Marvin R. Piczon, alongside faculty members from Samar State University (SSU). The challenge aims to engage college students in experiential learning through field immersion, research, and documentation of heritage structures. It challenges participants to compete in analyzing and creatively interpreting Samar’s defensive heritage using architectural documentation, storytelling, and insightful visualization into miniature models of the fortifications/sentinels. The coordination meeting resulted in the formalization of institutional participation and collaboration, with partner universities committing to organize student teams and faculty advisers for the activity. Roles and responsibilities were also outlined to ensure the smooth conduct of the multi-day challenge. The Fortresses and Frontiers challenge is expected to serve as a platform for experiential learning while contributing to ongoing heritage conservation efforts in the province.

 Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) has achieved a “Very Satisfactory” rating with an overall score of 4.90 in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Annual Agency Performance Review (APR), as evaluated by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM). This marks an improvement from its previous rating of 4.60, reflecting strengthened institutional performance across key operational areas. The assessment covers financial performance, physical accomplishments, and the timeliness and quality of report submissions. Under the financial component, NwSSU obtained a high rating of 4.83, indicating efficient utilization of resources and strong alignment between obligations, disbursements, and program targets.For physical performance, the university garnered a perfect score of 5.00, having successfully achieved 100% of its annual performance indicators (14 out of 14 targets). This demonstrates full delivery of planned programs, projects, and activities within the reporting period. The university also performed strongly in the timeliness and quality of report submissions, earning a rating of 5.00. A total of 95.92% (47 out of 49) of required Budget and Financial Accountability Reports (BFARs) were submitted on or before the prescribed deadlines, indicating a high level of compliance with reporting standards.The increase from 4.60 to 4.90 underscores NwSSU’s continuous efforts to enhance performance management systems, strengthen accountability mechanisms, and improve overall operational efficiency. This latest result affirms the university’s commitment to excellence in governance and service delivery, further positioning NwSSU as a responsive and high-performing state university dedicated to advancing quality education and institutional development.

𝐑𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡, 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐬! Northwest Samar State University (NwSSU) has secured the 4th spot among universities in Eastern Visayas in the latest 2026 UniRank rankings. UniRank is an international university ranking portal that evaluates institutions based on their digital presence and online popularity. The rankings are determined using robust web metrics, including estimated website traffic, domain authority, trust levels, and the quality of external link networks. On the national stage, NwSSU ranked 109th out of 235 higher education institutions across the country. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the entire NwSSU community to uphold standards of innovation, service, and excellence in the academic field. #RISENwSSU

On April 6, 2026, NwSSU held an online exploratory meeting with representatives from the PPP Center to discuss potential cooperation in preparing feasibility studies for the University’s key initiatives. The meeting was led by Dr. Gil Leovigildo A. Ancheta, OIC-University President, together with heads of offices from the General Services and Infrastructure Planning and Management Office (GSIPMO), Planning Office, and Project Development Office. Representing the PPP Center was Atty. Cyris Ann A. Ng-Santiago, joined by personnel from the Capacity Building and Knowledge Management Service and the Technical Advisory Division. The primary objective of the meeting was to secure collaboration with the PPP Center in developing feasibility studies for NwSSU’s top three PPP priority projects: the Student Centers and Business Incubation, the Development of an Eco-Tourism Park and Resort, and the NwSSU-SJ Farm Tourism project. These initiatives are intended for submission under the solicited PPP track. As an outcome of the discussion, both institutions agreed to conduct a collaborative feasibility study (FS) writing workshop. This initiative aims to strengthen project proposals and position them as high-priority, implementable PPP projects. The partnership is expected to enhance the University’s capacity to deliver improved services and facilities for its students, faculty, and stakeholders, while contributing to broader development in the education sector.