, Press Release, Communication Management Office
Sta. Mesa, Manila, Philippines (September 3, 2026) — Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) President Manuel M. Muhi, D.Tech., ASEAN Engr., ranked fifth among the country’s top 10 state university and college (SUC) presidents who publish in Scopus-indexed journals, according to a list released by Global Health Focus (GHF) University Excellence on August 13, 2026. GHF is a private research analytics group that tracks the research output of universities in the Philippines and across Asia.
The list credits Dr. Muhi with 13 Scopus-indexed documents and 47 citations, at an h-index of 4. He is one of only ten SUC presidents nationwide that GHF identified as active Scopus-indexed researchers. His background as licensed civil engineer while also actively moving up the academic ladder, contributed to his desire to strengthen research production and utilization among his priorities for the university.
His research portfolio covers transportation engineering and urban mobility (i.e., road systems, rail transit accessibility, traffic flow of public transportation, and emissions and air quality); environmental engineering and sustainable infrastructure; structural engineering and infrastructure monitoring; and the use of sustainable construction materials. Recent research publications focused more on engineering management and project management, consistent with his supervisory roles in research projects and other engineering initiatives.
For PUP, the recognition reflects the administration’s emphasis on research leadership by example. It also emphasizes the University’s commitment to its enduring vision of being an epistemic community, while also gearing itself as a leading polytechnic university in Asia.
Increasing research outputs and support for faculty researchers
Since 2020, PUP has recorded sustained growth in its research output. Based on the University data from the Scopus database, PUP now leads all polytechnic universities and colleges in the country in indexed publications. It also ranks first among SUCs in Metro Manila and third among SUCs and local universities and colleges nationwide, with 796 Scopus-indexed papers logged between 2019 and 2026. The university also entered the QS World University Rankings in Asia for the first time during his term.
Research Management Office (RMO) Director Dr. Jackie D. Urrutia said the increase traces back to the President’s initiative to enhance research-based incentives.
"We built a roadmap to carry faculty from research production all the way to publication. Since 2020, the number of PUP publications has risen substantially."
Under applicable University policies and subject to eligibility and approval requirements, qualified faculty researchers may receive support for publications, citations, conference presentations, and teaching deloads.
Publication incentives may reach ?50,000 while citation incentives may reach ?5,000 depending on the journal’s classification and other policy requirements. Funding support may also reach ?150,000 for approved paper presentations outside the ASEAN region and ?100,000 for those within it.
Eligible research project leaders may receive a teaching deload of up to 12 units, while qualified co-authors may receive up to six units. These arrangements give faculty members dedicated time to conduct research alongside their teaching responsibilities.
Urrutia said Dr. Muhi’s own publishing record contributes weight to the administration’s call for greater faculty participation research.
"No faculty member can argue with a call to publish when the leader is doing it himself," Urrutia said. "That is leadership by example, and it is why the message lands."
Alongside its research incentives, PUP is working to improve the facilities available to researchers. Starting his second term, Dr. Muhi said the College of Engineering and Architecture would be turned into a Science, Engineering and Technology Hub so that PUP's researchers work in one place instead of scattered across the campus. Laboratory upgrades are also planned for the campuses outside Sta. Mesa.
With stronger research support, continued facilities development, and closer collaboration among faculty members and students, PUP aims to sustain the growth of its research output through the remainder of Dr. Muhi’s term in 2028.
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About the Polytechnic University of the Philippines
The Polytechnic University of the Philippines is the largest state university in terms of student population. It envisions itself as a leading polytechnic university in Asia-Pacific, committed to providing accessible, quality, and relevant higher education to learners across all walks of life. Guided by its vision and mission, PUP advances academic excellence, research and innovation, community engagement, and inclusive public service in pursuit of national development and global competitiveness.
Media Inquiries
For media inquiries, interview requests, coverage coordination, and other press-related concerns, please contact the PUP Communication Management Office at commcenter@pup.edu.ph or directly through its Media Relations Officers:
Angelo G. Acedera, agacedera@pup.edu.ph
Elaine Carie A. Andres, ecaandres@pup.edu.ph
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