By Genevieve Balance Kupang

Election at WURI Global Conference 2025 Brings Together Leaders to Transform University Rankings and Educational Impact

 BUSAN, Korea – The World University Network of Innovation for Leaders (WUNI-L) elected its 2025-2026 Executive Officers during the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI) Global Conference 2025 at Tongmyong University, Busan, Korea, from September 24-26, 2025. The newly elected leadership team represents a coalition of higher education leaders from Korea, India, Philippines, Brunei, and Brazil, united in their commitment to transforming how universities create and measure real-world impact.

Dr. Robert Hayden Jr. of the Philippines was re-elected President, bringing together a diverse executive team that spans East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and South America. The geographic and cultural diversity of this leadership reflects WUNI-L’s foundational commitment to inclusive excellence and global collaboration. Dr. Yong-taek Min of Korea will serve as First Vice President for Internal Affairs, overseeing organizational development and member engagement, while Dr. Muhammad Alif Bin Haji Sismat of Brunei assumes the role of Second Vice President for External Affairs, managing international partnerships and outreach.

Dr. Yong-taek Min, First Vice President (right back), attends the Ethical AI, Governance, and Societal Impact research session, chaired by Professor Ki-chan Park. Pictured with WGC 2025 delegates and featured presenters: Dr. Genevieve Balance Kupang, Dr. Jose Jerlin, Engr. Alexis Mervin T. Sy, and Dr. Shiela Bartolome Navasca. Photo credit: NWU.

The secretariat responsibilities will be shared between Dr. Genevieve B. Kupang of the Philippines as Secretary and Dr. Ana Beatriz Garcia of Brazil as Assistant Secretary, ensuring documentation and communication across the network’s global membership. Financial stewardship will be managed by Dr.  Jerlin Jose of India as Treasurer, with oversight provided by  Kiyoung Seung of Korea as Auditor. Rounding out the executive team, Dr. Sonny Soriano of the Philippines was elected Public Relations Officer, tasked with communicating WUNI-L’s initiatives and impact to the global academic community.

WUNI-L Treasurer Dr. Jose presents Christ University’s research on strategic transformation via the WURI Framework.

This international composition is symbolic and represents WUNI-L’s commitment to bring together diverse perspectives, educational contexts, and cultural approaches to address universal challenges facing higher education institutions worldwide.

WUNI-L PRO Dr. Sonny Soriano (left) celebrates international excellence with UCU President Dr. Amihan April C. Mella-Alcazar and delegates, all proudly displaying their WURI plaques. Photo credit: UCU.

Building on Innovation’s Foundation

 WUNI-L was established during the 2024 WURI Global Conference at aSSIST University in Seoul, Korea, creating a platform where higher education leaders could collaborate on innovation strategies that generate institutional advancements and measurable global impact. As a branch of the World University Rankings for Innovation Foundation (WURIF), a non-stock, non-profit organization based in the Republic of Korea, WUNI-L operates within a constitutional framework designed to foster meaningful change in higher education.

The organization’s Constitution and Bylaws articulate a compelling vision: fostering a global network of university leaders dedicated to creating meaningful changes through ethical leadership, international collaboration, and innovation. With its domicile at Finland Tower in Seoul, Korea, WUNI-L symbolizes both its international character and its Korean institutional foundation.

 Mission-Driven Leadership Beyond Networking

WUNI-L Secretary and moderator Dr. Genevieve B. Kupang (fourth from left) joins fellow Leaders and Experts after their insightful session on Cultures and Values. A powerful gathering of WURI 2025 case presenters and discussants. Featured Presenters and Delegates (Left to Right): Dr. Abigail Q. Ocay, Dr. Lolita Velita, Dr. Espinoza de los Reyes Lanz Jose Carlos, Dr. Genevieve B. Kupang, Dr. Marycon Delos Reyes, Ms. Arnilyne K. Hambali, Ms. Kimberly M. Valdez, Dr. Marianne P. Villaruel, Dr. Corazon Ocden, and other WURI 2025 delegates. Photo credit: CCDC.

The newly elected officers inherit an organization whose significance extends far beyond traditional academic networking. WUNI-L was established with four fundamental purposes that directly address critical needs in contemporary higher education.

First, the network serves as a collaborative platform for higher education leaders to exchange innovation strategies that drive tangible institutional advancements and create measurable global impact. This practical focus ensures that the excellent discussions and knowledge sharing translate into actionable improvements at member institutions rather than remaining theoretical.

Second, WUNI-L facilitates the learning and sharing of best practices in innovation occurring at institutions of higher learning worldwide. By creating opportunities for knowledge exchange, the network accelerates the adoption of successful strategies across diverse educational contexts, cultural settings, and institutional types.

Third, the organization actively promotes innovative global approaches to improving institutions of higher learning, with particular emphasis on assisting the WURI Foundation and supporting nontraditional metrics for ranking systems that measure real impact on society and industry. This purpose challenges conventional ranking systems to measure what truly matters—the tangible contributions universities make to their communities, industries, and the world—rather than focusing solely on traditional metrics like research output or reputation surveys.

Finally, WUNI-L promotes innovation through measurable outcomes that address pressing global educational challenges, with a specific focus on sustainable development, ethical governance, and inclusive practices. This holistic approach ensures that innovation serves broader societal goals rather than narrow institutional interests.

Leaders in Global Innovation: The WURI Global Conference brings together 2025 delegates to discuss pioneering approaches in higher education, including WUNI Presidents, Experts, and Leaders.

Inclusive Membership Bridging Sectors

 The newly elected officers will govern an organization whose membership structure reflects a genuine commitment to inclusive excellence. WUNI-L welcomes both Regular Members—professors and executive administrators from institutions of higher learning—and Special Members from research institutions, consulting firms, media organizations, corporations, and education-related entities. This deliberately diverse membership base ensures that academic innovation remains informed by real-world perspectives and industry needs.

Members enjoy significant privileges beyond networking opportunities. They are eligible for election as Executive Officers and Directors of the governing Board of Directors, ensuring democratic participation in organizational leadership. Members may propose ideas related to WURI Rankings, including suggestions for adding or removing categories and revisions to evaluation criteria and procedures. This participatory approach ensures the ranking system evolves to reflect the collective wisdom of practicing educational leaders rather than remaining static or disconnected from institutional realities.

Looking Toward a Transformative Future

The 2025-2026 term promises to be transformative for WUNI-L as it builds on its inaugural year’s foundation. Representing five nations and a growing global membership, the network is positioned to make contributions to reimagining higher education for the 21st century. The election of this international team signals a new chapter in collaborative higher education leadership—one where innovation is measured by authentic impact on students, communities, and society at large. Through their collective leadership, these officers will guide WUNI-L in fostering meaningful change and ensuring that universities can demonstrate and celebrate their real contributions to global progress.

For more information about WUNI-L and its initiatives, visit the WURI Foundation website or contact the newly elected Executive Officers through the World University Rankings for Innovation Foundation.

The WURI Global Conference Delegates, 2025. Photo credit: WURI Foundation.