Biliran Province State University (BiPSU) was announced as the 2nd Place winner in the Visayas-Mindanao Consortium for Journal Publication, Inc. (VMCJPI) Research Cup 2026: The Scopus Publication Challenge for Global Impact (A Bibliometric Competition) on July 10 through the research of faculty members Jefry E. Aransado and Jeson V. Viñas, Bachelor of Secondary Education (BSEd) major in Mathematics student Christian Jay C. Castil, and collaborator Neil Aldrin T. Olvina of De La Salle Santiago Zobel School.

Their entry, "Circular Economy Initiatives in Higher Education: A Retrospective Bibliometric Analysis (1945–2025)," was among the top-performing submissions in the consortium-wide competition, which challenged participants to demonstrate their competence in bibliometric analysis, scientific mapping, research evaluation, and data-driven research planning.

The study examined the global research landscape of circular economy initiatives in higher education through a retrospective bibliometric analysis of Scopus-indexed publications from 1945 to 2025. Using Bibliometrix (R) and VOSviewer, the researchers analyzed publication trends, citation impact, collaboration networks, influential authors and institutions, keyword co-occurrence, and thematic developments to determine the growth and direction of research in the field.

The researchers found a significant increase in research output after 2019, reflecting the growing global interest in circular economy initiatives in higher education. Their analysis also identified sustainability, life cycle assessment, and higher education as the dominant research themes, while artificial intelligence, Industry 5.0, entrepreneurship education, and educational innovation emerged as developing areas of study.

The VMCJPI Research Cup recognizes outstanding bibliometric research and scientific mapping conducted by faculty and staff from member institutions. BiPSU's second-place finish was among the top recognitions conferred during this year's competition.

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