Mindanao State University (MSU) System campuses were officially recognized on December 10, 2025 as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) conferred the Internationalization Champions of Nation-Building and Sustainability (ICONS) Awards 2025 during a gala ceremony held at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). The awarded campuses were the MSU Main Campus, led by System President Atty. Paisalin P.D. Tago, CPA; MSU-IIT, headed by Chancellor Atty. Alizedney M. Ditucalan; MSU-General Santos, led by Chancellor Atty. Shidik T. Abantas; Mindanao State University at Naawan (MSUN), headed by Chancellor Dr. Elnor C. Roa, and MSU-TCTO headed by Chancellor Mary Joyce Q. Sali.
The awards celebrated Philippine higher education institutions that earned places in globally recognized ranking systems for 2025 and 2026, including Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), Times Higher Education (THE) World, Asia, and Impact Rankings, and the World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI).
The ICONS Awards 2025, the second edition following its successful launch in 2024, honored more than 20 Philippine higher education institutions that appeared for the first time or improved their standing in CHED-recognized international rankings this year.
With this recognition, the MSU System has solidified its reputation as one of the most internationally visible state university networks in the country, particularly for innovation, sustainability, and inclusive development in Mindanao and the Bangsamoro region.
