THE LATEST January 2025 Webometrics Ranking has reaffirmed the strong academic presence of higher education institutions in the Davao Region, with Ateneo de Davao University (ADDU) retaining its position as the top-ranked school in the region and 19th nationally. The rankings highlight the performance of institutions based on their visibility, research transparency, and scholarly excellence, providing insights into how well universities are adapting to digital and research-driven benchmarks.
ADDU remains the leading institution in Region XI, followed by the University of Mindanao (UM), which ranked 45th in the country. Meanwhile, Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) recorded a notable rise, climbing from 7th place in July 2024 to 3rd place regionally, overtaking the University of the Philippines – Mindanao (4th) and the University of Southeastern Philippines (5th). This shift in rankings reflects increasing competition among institutions in the region as they strengthen their academic research and digital presence.
Consistency Amid competition
One of the institutions maintaining a stable ranking is Jose Maria College Foundation, Inc. (JMCFI), which placed 6th in July 2024 and now ranks 7th in January 2025 in Region XI. Nationally, JMCFI sits at 135th in 2024, a respectable position among the country’s top institutions. While it saw a slight regional ranking drop, its national placement remains competitive vis-à-vis other schools, demonstrating its continued emphasis on web visibility and research impact.
Despite the slight movement in rank, JMCFI’s world ranking (15439) remains relatively strong, indicating a consistent academic performance. Compared to other institutions in Region XI, JMCFI maintains a higher research citation index than several schools, which is crucial in Webometrics evaluations. The institution continues to focus on improving its digital footprint and research contributions, positioning itself as a key player in Davao’s academic scene.
Davao Region’s academic landscape
The University of the Immaculate Conception (6th), Cor Jesu College (8th), Holy Cross of Davao College (9th), and Davao Medical School Foundation (10th) round out the top 10 institutions in Region XI. The rankings emphasize the growing influence of research institutions in Mindanao, with many schools making efforts to improve their global web presence and scholarly output.
With Webometrics giving significant weight to visibility (50%), transparency (10%), and excellence (40%), schools in Region XI are increasingly investing in digital accessibility, faculty research, and academic publications to maintain or improve their standing. The competition among universities in Mindanao remains strong, with institutions striving for higher global recognition and academic credibility.
As the next Webometrics evaluation approaches in mid-2025, it will be interesting to observe how these institutions adapt to evolving academic and digital benchmarks, ensuring that higher education in Davao remains globally competitive. #
