The results of the THE University Impact Rankings, the ranking developed by the Times Higher Education (THE) agency which evaluates the ability of universities to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) defined by the UN. These goals aim to ensure a better and more sustainable future for all.
Also known as Agenda 2030, from the name of the document published in 2016 entitled “Transforming our world. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, the 17 SDGs are recognized by the UN and the European Community as a fundamental tool for addressing global challenges relating to economic and social development, environmental protection and the promotion of human well-being. These goals include fighting poverty, combating climate change, promoting health and education, and much more.
Since 2019, the THE Impact ranking, established for the first time by the THE agency, supports the participation of universities in a process of strategic change, with measurable and lasting impacts at both local and global levels. This year, the ranking has taken into consideration 2152 universities from 115 countries, with an increase of 26% compared to the previous edition. The ranking evaluates universities on each of the 17 SDGs, as well as providing a final overall ranking.
Analyzing the rankings for the individual SDGs in detail, theUniversity of Padua stands out particularly in SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, ranking 15th in the world, an improvement of 39 positions compared to 2023. This index evaluates environmental sustainability research and practices, as well as the commitment to the valorization of historical heritage , artistic and cultural.
Regarding the Quality of Teaching (SDG 4), the University of Padua maintains 35th place, confirming last year’s position. This ranking reflects the institution’s commitment to quality, inclusive and equitable education. In SDG 3 – Health and Wellbeing, the University ranks 41st in the world, demonstrating its ability to promote healthy living and guarantee social well-being, reducing the incidence of diseases.
Furthermore, the University of Padua confirms itself among the top 200 universities in the world in three other fields: SDG 5 – Gender Equality, which evaluates university policies in promoting gender equality and supporting the academic progression of women; SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth; and SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
The overall index is developed by evaluating the improvements on the 17 SDGs, considered an essential prerequisite for participation in the ranking, together with the best three results obtained with reference to the other SDGs. This year, the University of Padua ranks among the top 200 universities in the world (range 101-200).
“The strategic vision of the University of Padua, outlined in its Charter of Sustainability Commitments, and the effectiveness of the resulting policies and actions are rewarded. The Charter considers all areas of sustainability, and in fact environmental sustainability, people and resources embrace all areas of the University’s strategic planning and its three main missions” he comments Francesca da PortoVice-Rector with responsibility for Sustainability.
“Beyond the prestige linked to good positioning in the rankings – he adds Mara Thiene, Delegate of the Rector for Joint Degrees and International Rankings – the internal information collection activity is strategic for the governance of the University, both for monitoring the status quo and grounding of policies, and for the evaluation of the results obtained front of human and financial resources used from a planning and forecasting perspective. The objective is to evaluate the quality of the service offering, containing costs, in order to make an excellent university path accessible to an increasingly large number of students”.
