NEWS In this year’s Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, Umeå University is ranked 300–400 out of the participating 1,599 higher education institutions from around the world. This is an improvement compared to last year’s ranking where Umeå University landed a top 400–600 position.
This is the second time Umeå University takes part in the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking, and the results are going in the right direction. For over half of the ten sustainable development goals (SDGs) that the University submitted data for, the University is ranked top 100–200.
Hans Wiklund, Umeå University.
ImageMattias PetterssonFor the 2023 ranking, Umeå University reported data for ten SDGs. Last year, this number was only four. In upcoming years, the plan is to report data on all 17 SDGs.
“As a comprehensive university, it feels natural that all our activities are reflected in the ranking. But joining these ranking institute lists requires a whole lot of work,” says University Director Hans Wiklund. “For this year, we have intensified the work and we see it as an incentive in our important sustainability work.”
The goal for which the University has achieved the best results, in comparison to other HEIs in the ranking, is SDG3 Good health and well-being. In research, Umeå University achieves its highest ranking for SDG16 Peace, justice and strong institutions, compared to other HEIs.
But the University’s research is ranked high also in other SDGs. In education, what is generally being measured is quantity and that makes SDG3 Good health and well-being stand out for us. The downside in the University’s sustainability work are examples of shortcomings in separation of waste and control with reference to SDG12 Responsible consumption and production.
Umeå University ranks third out of four among the Swedish higher education institutions participating in this year’s Times Higher Education Impact Ranking.
“The ranking serves several purposes and can be used as a tool in the University’s own sustainability work, as well as form a basis for our efforts to continuously improve. It is also a way to communicate the University’s sustainability performance. Ranking can also be a factor indicating how attractive a university is for prospective international students,” concludes Hans Wiklund.