Dr. Elyxzur Ramos, UMak’s 10th President

By Oggie Medina

UMak, evolving from a humble local community college founded in 1972 into a premier, globally recognized local university, has left an indelible mark in the educational field.

It became a national pioneer by being the very first university in the Philippines to implement the K-to-12 senior high school pilot system via the Higher School of UMak (HSU). It is also the first local university or college (LUC) in the Philippines to receive institutional accreditation from the Philippine Accrediting Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (PAASCU).

According to the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), UMak climbed to Rank 136 globally, cementing its status as the top-ranked innovative local university in the National Capital Region.

Under the leadership of Dr. Elyxzur C. Ramos, UMak has entered a transformative era focusing on global innovation, academic excellence, and community-driven development. As the university’s 10th President, Dr. Ramos has championed major structural milestones that position UMak as a benchmark for local universities and colleges (LUCs) across the Philippines.

Furthermore, Dr. Ramos stepped into global academic prominence by assuming the chairmanship of the World University Network of Innovation (WUNI) for Presidents. Under his guidance, UMak secured a placement in the Global Top 200 Innovative Universities list by the World Universities with Real Impact (WURI).

He also spearheaded an environment that drove the university to achieve over 100 Scopus-indexed research publications, establishing the highest output among local colleges in the country. He has actively integrated UMak into high-impact regional networks, attending the Times Higher Education (THE) Asia Universities Summit and establishing academic programs with foreign institutions like South Korea’s Dong-Eui University.

Beyond campus boundaries, his expertise directly shapes Philippine education policy through his role as a standing committee member of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM 2). He has prioritized the transition of UMak into a Laudato Si’ sustainable institution, training faculty in environmental education and initiating traditions like the Kamagong Tree Marker to promote eco-preservation. He has leveraged the university’s Center for Culture and the Arts to align community extensions, student talent, and local heritage with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

To Dr. Ramos, my heartfelt congratulations and more blessings!