L’AQUILA – The results of “The University Impact Rankings” have been published, the ranking developed by the Times Higher Education (THE) agency which evaluates the ability of universities to contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs ), defined by the UN as a strategy to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. “The Impact Rankings” evaluates universities on each of the 17 SDGs to which a final overall ranking is added. This year, 2152 universities from 115 different countries were evaluated, 26% more than the last edition.
The University of L’Aquila ranked among the top 200 universities in the general ranking and 28th in the world in SDG 4 – Quality of teaching, a result that places it first overall in Italy, ahead of even very renowned universities. The ranking constructed for this specific objective considers the commitment made by universities to guaranteeing education and training offerings that are not only high-quality, but also inclusive and fair, and the promotion of equal learning opportunities for all.
The methodology for developing the ranking was based, in particular, on the evaluation of a set of indicators, such as the research carried out within universities on early years education and lifelong learning (number of studies on effective learning strategies and educational methodologies; percentage of education articles that are viewed or downloaded; percentage of education research published in leading journals); the percentage of graduates with teaching qualifications; the provision of vocational training and career-oriented programs and facilities and programs for adult education and lifelong learning opportunities; the percentage of its graduates who identify as the first members of their family to attend college. Still analyzing the rankings for the individual SDGs in detail, UnivAQ also obtained excellent placements in other areas. In particular, for SDG 3 (Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages); SDG 8 (Encourage long-lasting, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all); SDG 9 (Build a resilient infrastructure and promote innovation and fair, responsible and sustainable industrialisation); SDG 10 (Reduce inequalities within and between countries); SDG 13 (Adopt urgent measures to combat climate change and its consequences) was ranked, for both, among the top 200 universities in the world.
«Having obtained this result fills us with satisfaction and gratifies us for the work done», comments the rector of the University of L’Aquila Edoardo Alesse. «Being placed 28th in the inclusive education category, even ahead of Bologna, the only Italian university ranked among the top 100 in the general ranking, and Padua, gives us particular pride. Being the places par excellence where knowledge, the love for knowledge and the passion for research are cultivated, universities must strongly feel that their mission is to contribute to the elimination of social inequalities and educational poverty and to fight for building a more equitable, just and sustainable future for all.”
