CSU leads again as top university in the PH for SDG 1 in recent THE rankings

Jakarta, Indonesia – Caraga State University (CSU) has earned global recognition for its commitment to poverty alleviation after achieving a remarkable global rank of =80 out of 931 universities worldwide in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1 – No Poverty in the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.

With a score of 74.9 out of 100, SDG 1 emerged as CSU’s highest-performing SDG and one of its strongest contributions to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This accomplishment positions CSU among the world’s leading universities actively addressing poverty through education, research, innovation, extension, and community engagement.

The achievement is even more significant as CSU once again emerged as the Top 1 Higher Education Institution in the Philippines for SDG 1 – No Poverty, reinforcing its leadership among Philippine universities in advancing poverty alleviation initiatives. From being recognized as the country’s top-performing institution in SDG 1 during the 2025 THE Impact Rankings, CSU sustained its strong performance in 2026 among universities worldwide. This distinction underscores the university’s continuing success in translating education, research, innovation, extension, and community engagement into measurable outcomes that uplift disadvantaged sectors and contribute to inclusive and sustainable development.

CSU has done it again! Here’s how:

The 2026 results demonstrate that CSU’s anti-poverty initiatives are not isolated efforts but part of a sustained institutional commitment to creating opportunities for disadvantaged communities and vulnerable sectors throughout the Caraga Region and beyond.

A major factor behind CSU’s strong SDG 1 performance is its extensive support for economically disadvantaged students. Based on university records, the majority of CSU students come from low-income households, whose annual family income falls below the identified poverty threshold. These students receive various forms of financial assistance, scholarships, and support services, while all CSU students benefit from the Philippine government’s free higher education policy under Republic Act 10931. This commitment to educational accessibility contributed significantly to CSU’s high score of 85.4 in financial aid for poverty.

Beyond financial assistance, CSU has established a comprehensive ecosystem of anti-poverty programs that directly empower communities. In 2024 alone, the university’s extension programs reached 12,116 beneficiaries through livelihood and skills development initiatives, exceeding targets by 99 percent. Community members received various trainings in baking, welding and fabrication, silk screen printing, vehicle maintenance, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and other income-generating activities designed to improve employability and create sustainable livelihood opportunities. These efforts contributed to CSU’s outstanding score of 97.9 in community anti-poverty programs, one of the highest indicators in its SDG 1 assessment.

Agricultural development has likewise become a cornerstone of CSU’s poverty-reduction strategy. The university implemented numerous extension programs aimed at increasing the productivity and income of smallholder farmers through training on coffee farming technologies, rice production management, vegetable seedling production, abaca disease management, livestock feeding, and sustainable agricultural practices. By addressing challenges in food production and rural livelihoods, CSU helps farming communities improve yields, reduce losses, and achieve greater economic resilience.

Complementing these efforts is CSU’s robust technology transfer program, which transforms university research into practical solutions that improve economic conditions in communities. Technologies such as the Sago Processing Technology, Copra Dryer, Snail Collecting Device, Kaong Meat Extractor, Tablea Molder, Solar Electrification Systems, and various agricultural and fisheries innovations have been transferred to farmers, fisherfolk, cooperatives, local government units, and microenterprises. These innovations increase productivity, reduce labor costs, enhance product quality, and create new livelihood opportunities for rural populations.

Research also played a critical role in CSU’s SDG 1 success. In 2024, the university produced 185 Scopus-indexed research outputs, many of which addressed poverty-related concerns such as sustainable agriculture, food innovation, rural development, livelihood technologies, climate resilience, and community empowerment. CSU’s research agenda emphasizes the translation of scientific knowledge into real-world solutions that directly benefit low-income communities. This commitment is reflected in the university’s strong citation performance and increasing number of research outputs that support poverty alleviation and inclusive growth.

CSU’s poverty reduction initiatives are further strengthened through strategic partnerships with local government units, national government agencies, non-government organizations, industries, people’s organizations, and international institutions. In 2024, the university maintained 36 active partnerships supporting livelihood development, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, agricultural productivity, and community empowerment. These collaborations enable CSU to expand the reach and impact of its programs while ensuring that interventions remain responsive to local needs.

The university’s contributions to poverty alleviation were formally recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) when CSU received the Kabalikat Award as Most Outstanding Public Partner and was named Best Program Partner (NGA/NGO) for its exemplary support to the Sustainable Livelihood Program in 2024. The award highlights CSU’s leadership role in advancing inclusive development and improving the lives of marginalized communities in the region.

For CSU, the SDG 1 global ranking is more than a measure of performance—it is evidence that a regional state university can create transformative impacts through purposeful research, responsive extension programs, accessible education, and meaningful partnerships. As the university continues pursuing its vision of becoming a globally recognized institution in research, development, innovation, and extension by 2030, its Top 100 global standing in SDG 1 demonstrates that CSU is not only educating students but also actively helping communities break the cycle of poverty and build pathways toward sustainable and inclusive prosperity.