BANGKOK – The University of the Philippines Manila, the country’s premier institution for health sciences, earned a 4-star rating from an ASEAN-based international network of professionals and universities promoting health in educational institutions.  

This marks the first time UP Manila has been recognized with a 4-star rating under the Healthy University Rating System (HURS), highlighting the institution’s commitment to promoting a culture of health and well-being through its Healthy University Office (HUO). 

Chancellor Michael Tee received the award during the 10th Anniversary of the ASEAN University Network – Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) at Millennium Hilton on Dec. 3, 2024, which coincided with the 1st ASEAN Institute for Health Development (AIHD) International Forum. “

This recognition serves as an inspiration for the UP Manila community. As the National Health Sciences Center, we must ensure that we practice what we teach our scholars,” he said. 

The HURS awarding ceremony is a special session during the event that recognized participating academic institutions’ compliance with 22 areas of the Healthy University Framework (HUF). HURS was developed by AUN-HPN member universities encompassing 22 items under the categories of systems and infrastructure, zero tolerance areas, and health promotion activities. Participating universities can score their progress and compare it with the preset rating criteria classified into 1 to 5 stars similar to the hotel rating system. 

“It was our first time to apply for the Healthy University Rating System (HURS) in 2023 and we immediately received a 4-star rating,” UP Manila Vice Chancellor for Administration and Finance, Dr. Johanna Patricia A. Cañal said.  In the area of systems and infrastructure, UP Manila displayed excellence in healthy university policies, health promotion research, university volunteerism, and budgetary support. It also stood out in zero-tolerance areas which include campaigns against illegal drug use, tobacco, alcohol, violence, bullying, sexual harassment, gambling, and road safety violations, including helmet use.

In the area of health promotion, UP Manila gained high scores on its programs on health literacy, mental wellness, social interaction, balanced nutrition, safe sexual behavior, work-life balance, and healthy aging. 

“We earned the 4-star rating because of our efforts in integrating health promotion in various aspects that are aligned with ASEAN’s vision for healthier educational environments across the region. These include the updated UPM Health and Safety Policy, the establishment of the Healthy University Office, UPM Construction Guidelines, and the monitoring of energy usage, and energy conservation measures. We also have activities on mental health support,” Dr. Paul Michael R. Hernandez, Director of the HUO said. 

“Aside from these, we also have activities that promote the health and safety of our faculty, research personnel, administrative staff, students, and other stakeholders,” Dr. Hernandez added.   

The AUN-HPN core members that developed the rating system include Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Royal University of Law and Economics and Royal University of Phnom Penh in Cambodia, Institut Teknologi Bandung and Universitas Airlangga in Indonesia, National University of Laos in Lao PDR, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, and University of the Philippines.#

Text by Jennifer Manongdo