VSU records historic Scopus milestone with over 100 publications in 2025

For the first time in its century-long history, Visayas State University has surpassed the 100 mark in Scopus-indexed publications within a single year. In 2025, the University recorded 107 Scopus documents, placing it among a small group of Philippine higher education institutions with sustained research output visible in global academic databases.

Scopus records show a steady progression over recent years. From 67 publications in 2021 and 2022, output slightly dipped to 65 in 2023 before rising to 71 in 2024. The sharp increase to 107 in 2025 reflects a clear expansion in both productivity and scope, built over time rather than driven by a single research area or short-term push.

The publications span a wide range of disciplines. Agricultural and Biological Sciences remain the largest contributor, followed by Environmental Science and Social Sciences. Notable outputs also came from Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, Medicine, Engineering, and multidisciplinary research. This distribution indicates that research activity at VSU now extends across fields linked to food systems, health, technology, and social development.

Underlying the numbers is a more structured research environment. Faculty members are increasingly guided through journal selection and publication requirements, graduate students are more frequently involved in studies that reach international outlets, and research tracking has become more systematic. Improvements in manuscript monitoring, indexing verification, and administrative support have allowed researchers to concentrate on producing publishable work.

University President Dr. Prose Ivy G. Yepes acknowledged the milestone in a message shared on social media, recognizing the people and offices behind the achievement.

“This milestone is both humbling and inspiring. I extend my gratitude to the officials and staff of the Office of the Vice President for Research, Extension, and Innovation, led by Vice President Santiago T. Peña Jr., together with Research Office Director Ivy Emnace, as well as our faculty researchers from academic units across all campuses and from our research centers. I also thank Doc Don Prisno and his team for their guidance and assistance throughout the research and publication process. To God be all the glory,” she said.

Beyond institutional records, the increase in Scopus-indexed publications carries broader implications. Such outputs influence how universities are assessed by funding agencies, partner institutions, and international evaluators. 

For VSU, crossing the 100-publication threshold improves its visibility in widely used academic databases and strengthens its standing in research-related assessments.

The milestone also reflects a shift in how research is positioned within the University. Publishing is increasingly linked to instruction, extension work, and graduate training rather than treated as an occasional undertaking. 

Many of the 2025 publications are drawn from long-running field projects, laboratory studies, and community-based research, indicating continuity and depth in scholarly work.

The 107 Scopus documents show that research productivity has reached a level that can be maintained and expanded, as the University moves into its second century with research firmly embedded in its academic mission and public role.

This article is aligned with SDG 4: Quality Education; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and; SDG 17:Partnerships for the Goals:

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