(MENAFN- THE Communications) London, 21 April 2021
The fundamental importance of universities from Arab League territories to solving some of the greatest challenges of our time has been made clear by the release of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2021.
The THE Impact Rankings are the only global tables to assess universities against progress towards the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), providing a total of 18 rankings, one for each SDG as well as an overall table. The 2021 edition ranks a record 1,240 institutions from 98 territories against their commitment to sustainability at an institutional, local, national, regional and global level, from carbon neutral campuses to global partnerships responding to the Covid-19 pandemic at a multi-national level.
Four universities from three Arab League territories appear in the overall table – calculated from an institution’s top three individual SDG scores and score in SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals), with Saudi Arabia (2), Lebanon (1) and Egypt (1) represented from a total of 1,115 universities across 94 territories.
Top 10 Arab League Universities in Overall Ranking
University Country/Region Overall Rank
Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Saudi Arabia 27
King Abdulaziz University Saudi Arabia =46
American University of Beirut Lebanon =87
Aswan University Egypt 95
Ahlia University Bahrain 101–200
Ibn Tofaïl University Morocco 101–200
Qatar University Qatar 101–200
Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University Saudi Arabia 101–200
Almaarefa University Saudi Arabia 201–300
Kuwait University Kuwait 201–300
In total, 31 Arab League universities from 11 territories claim a combined 72 top 100 positions across the 18 rankings tables. Among the notable results are Saudi Arabia’s Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University coming first in the world for action towards SDG5 (Gender Equality) and King Abdulaziz University taking third place in the world for SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities). Lebanon’s American University of Beirut is fourth globally for SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals), Egypt’s Aswan University finishes 8th in the world for SDG2 (Zero Hunger) and Morocco’s Ibn Tofaïl University comes 9th globally for SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
Arab League universities claim at least one top 100 spot in the world for each of the 17 individual SDGs, including an impressive 11 for SDG4 (Quality Education), seven for SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and six for SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Top Arab League University by SDG
SDG Rank University Territory
SDG1 45 Ibn Tofaïl University Morocco
SDG2 8 Aswan University Egypt
SDG3 48 King Abdulaziz University Saudi Arabia
SDG4 13 Ahlia University Bahrain
SDG5 1 Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Saudi Arabia
SDG6 =25 Ibn Tofaïl University Morocco
SDG7 =9 Ibn Tofaïl University Morocco
SDG8 =11 King Abdulaziz University Saudi Arabia
SDG9 =11 King Abdulaziz University Saudi Arabia
SDG10 19 Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Saudi Arabia
SDG11 31 Aswan University Egypt
SDG12 45 Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University Saudi Arabia
SDG13 39 Kafrelsheikh University Egypt
SDG14 53 Qatar University Qatar
SDG15 54 Qatar University Qatar
SDG16 66 Kuwait University Kuwait
SDG17 4 American University of Beirut Lebanon
Elsewhere in the rankings, the United Kingdom’s University of Manchester claims top spot overall. While seven territories are represented in the top 10, Australia dominates with four universities in the band.
Impact Rankings 2021 overall top 10
University Name Country / Region 2021 Rank
University of Manchester United Kingdom 1
University of Sydney Australia 2
RMIT University Australia 3
La Trobe University Australia 4
Queen’s University Canada 5
University of Wollongong Australia =6
Aalborg University Denmark =6
University College Cork Republic of Ireland 8
Arizona State University (Tempe) United States =9
University of Auckland New Zealand =9
Across the individual SDG rankings, 17 universities from 10 different territories claim a top position, including Mexico, Thailand and South Africa.
Number One Ranked Institutions
Ranking University Country/Region
Overall University of Manchester United Kingdom
SDG1 Queen’s University Canada
SDG2 Metropolitan Autonomous University Mexico
SDG3 Oregon Health and Science University United States
SDG4 Aalborg University Denmark
SDG5 Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Saudi Arabia
SDG6 University of Sydney Australia
SDG7 King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi Thailand
SDG8 University of Johannesburg South Africa
SDG9 = University of British Columbia Canada
SDG9 = University of Toronto Canada
SDG9 = Technical University of Munich Germany
SDG9 = Delft University of Technology Netherlands
SDG10 University of Canberra Australia
SDG11 University of Manchester United Kingdom
SDG12 University of Manchester United Kingdom
SDG13 University at Buffalo United States
SDG14 University of Plymouth United Kingdom
SDG15 La Trobe University Australia
SDG16 Keele University United Kingdom
SDG17 University of Newcastle Australia
The record turn out for this year’s rankings makes it clear that universities are playing a vital role in helping meet the SDGs in every corner of the world. While western countries dominate the top 10, 24 territories from six continents appear in the overall top 100, demonstrating the high level of commitment and excellence across global higher education for achieving the SDGs.
Russia (86) becomes the most represented country or region in the rankings as it sees an additional 33 universities rank in at least one SDG table since 2020. Japan records 85 ranked institutions, followed by India (57), Turkey (55), UK and US (both 52), Brazil (47), Pakistan and Spain (both 40), and Iraq (38).
Phil Baty, Chief Knowledge Officer, THE, commented:
“It is clear from the THE Impact Rankings 2021 just how important universities across the Arab League are in working towards a sustainable world. This is an incredibly diverse ranking where participation is as important as ranking position in demonstrating the active steps being taken by universities to support sustainability.
“Universities from Arab League territories have come out in force to demonstrate the vital role they are playing locally, regionally and globally, with some impressive results that show they are helping lead the world in achieving the SDGs. It is great to see the efforts and success across the region in creating happier, healthier societies and a more sustainable planet.”
***ENDS***
APPENDICES:
1. About the Impact Rankings and Methodology
2. Full SDG list
3. Country and Region Headlines
4. Summary Results and Tables
5. Notes to Editors
1. About the Impact Rankings
The rankings assess universities on metrics across all 17 UN SDGs. Data was collected from universities and Elsevier and the metrics were developed in partnership with Vertigo Ventures (see Notes to Editors). The findings are displayed in 18 league tables, one for each of the 17 individual SDGs, and 1 overall Ranking table. To appear in the overall ranking table, universities must have submitted to SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and a minimum of three other SDGs. The score is calculated as follows:
SDG17 – 22%
Top scoring SDG – 26%
Second best scoring SDG – 26%
Third best scoring SDG – 26%
Find out more about the Impact Rankings:
View the full Impact Rankings 2021 methodology:
2. Full SDG list
Please find below a full list of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which can also be found on the United Nation’s website:
1: No Poverty
2: Zero Hunger
3: Good Health and Well-being
4: Quality Education
5: Gender Equality
6: Clean Water and Sanitation
7: Affordable and Clean Energy
8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10: Reduced Inequality
11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
12: Responsible Consumption and Production
13: Climate Action
14: Life Below Water
15: Life on Land
16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal
3. Country and Region Headlines
Bahrain:
• Three universities ranked: Ahlia University, University of Bahrain and Applied Science University
• Ahlia University is 13th in world for SDG4 (Quality Education)
• Ahlia University is 14th in world for SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities)
• Ahlia University is =70th in world for SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
• University of Bahrain is =74th in world for SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
Egypt:
• 31 universities ranked
• Aswan University is 95th in world overall
• Aswan University comes 8th in world for SDG2 (Zero Hunger)
• Aswan University comes 31st in world for SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
• Aswan University comes =33rd in world for SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
• Cairo University is 95th in world for SDG1 (No Poverty)
• Cairo University is 45th in world for SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
• Cairo University is 90th in world for SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities)
• Kafrelsheikh University is 39th in world for SDG13 (Climate Action)
• Kafrelsheikh University is =91st in world for SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
Iraq:
• 37 universities ranked
• University of Basrah is 67th in the world for SDG14 (Life Below Water)
• Salahaddin University is 58th in the world for SDG4 (Quality Education)
Jordan:
• 11 universities ranked
• Al-Balqa Applied University is =36th in world for SDG4 (Quality Education)
• Mutah University also in top 100 (=79th) in world for SDG4 (Quality Education)
Kuwait:
• One university ranked
• Kuwait University is 50th in world for SDG13 (Climate Action)
• Kuwait University is 66th in world for SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)
• Kuwait University is 74th in world for SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
Lebanon:
• Six universities ranked
• American University of Beirut is =87th in the world overall
• American University of Beirut is 4th in world for SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
• American University of Beirut is 53rd in the world for SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
• American University of Beirut is 66th in the world for SDG3 (Good Health and Wellbeing)
• American University of Beirut is =72nd in the world for SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
• Lebanese University is 65th in the world for SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities)
Morocco:
• Seven universities ranked
• Ibn Tofaïl University is =9th in the world for SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
• Ibn Tofaïl University is =25th in the world for SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
• Ibn Tofaïl University is 45th in the world for SDG1 (No Poverty)
• Moulay Ismail University is =24th in the world for SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
• International University of Rabat is =59th in the world for SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)
Palestine
• Two universities ranked
• An-Najah National University is =22nd in the world for SDG4 (Quality Education)
• An-Najah National University is 87th in the world for SDG2 (Zero Hunger)
• An-Najah National University is 93rd in the world for SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities)
• Birzeit University is 59th in the world for SDG4 (Quality Education)
Qatar
• One university ranked
• Qatar University is 51st in the world for SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
• Qatar University is 52nd in the world for SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals)
• Qatar University is 53rd in the world for SDG14 (Life Below Water)
• Qatar University is 54th in the world for SDG15 (Life on Land)
• Qatar University is 84th in the world for SDG2 (Zero Hunger)
• Qatar University is 96th in the world for SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)
Saudi Arabia
• 12 universities ranked
• Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University is 1st in world for SDG5 (Gender Equality)
• Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University is 27th in the world overall
• Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University appears in top 50 in world for SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities – 19th), SDG4 (Quality Education – 21st), SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals - =37th), SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation – 40th) and SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth – 43rd)
• Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University is 68th in the world for SDG1 (No Poverty)
• King Abdulaziz University is =46th in the world overall
• King Abdulaziz University is 3rd in the world for SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities)
• King Abdulaziz University is in the top 20 in the world for SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth - =11th) and SDG9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - =11th)
• King Abdulaziz University is in the top 50 in the world for SDG4 (Quality Education – 18th), SDG5 (Gender Equality – 34th) and SDG3 (Good Health and Wellbeing – 48th)
• King Abdulaziz University is in the top 100 in the world for SDG1 (No Poverty – 76th), SDG13 (Climate Action – 91st) and SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions - =95th)
• Prince Mohammad Bin Fahd University is in the top 50 in the world for SDG6 (Clean Water and Sanitation – 38th) and SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production – 45th)
• Almaarefa University is in the top 100 in the world for SDG1 (No Poverty - =74th) and SDG17 (Partnerships for the Goals - =100th)
• Umm Al-Qura University is 15th in the world for SDG4 (Quality Education)
United Arab Emirates
• Four universities ranked
• United Arab Emirates University is 38th in world for SDG4 (Quality Education)
• Al Ain University is 82nd in world for SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
4. Summary Results and Tables
Overall Top 100
Rank University Name Country / Region
1 University of Manchester United Kingdom
2 University of Sydney Australia
3 RMIT University Australia
4 La Trobe University Australia
5 Queen’s University Canada
=6 University of Wollongong Australia
=6 Aalborg University Denmark
8 University College Cork Republic of Ireland
=9 Arizona State University (Tempe) United States
=9 University of Auckland New Zealand
11 King’s College London United Kingdom
12 University of Newcastle Australia
13 University of British Columbia Canada
14 McMaster University Canada
15 Newcastle University United Kingdom
16 University of Leeds United Kingdom
17 Western Sydney University Australia
18 Monash University Australia
19 University of Leicester United Kingdom
20 University of Bologna Italy
21 University of Coimbra Portugal
22 University College Dublin Republic of Ireland
=23 University of Southern Denmark Denmark
=23 University of Plymouth United Kingdom
=23 Chulalongkorn University Thailand
26 University of the Sunshine Coast Australia
27 Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University Saudi Arabia
=28 Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis United States
=28 Metropolitan Autonomous University Mexico
=30 Yonsei University (Seoul campus) South Korea
=30 University of South Florida (Tampa) United States
=32 Penn State (Main campus) United States
=32 University of Strathclyde United Kingdom
34 University of Toronto Canada
35 Iran University of Medical Sciences Iran
36 University of Edinburgh United Kingdom
37 Massey University New Zealand
38 Griffith University Australia
=39 University of Montreal Canada
=39 Universiti Sains Malaysia Malaysia
=41 KTH Royal Institute of Technology Sweden
=41 University of Sussex United Kingdom
=43 Queen’s University Belfast United Kingdom
=43 Queensland University of Technology Australia
=43 University of Calgary Canada
=46 King Abdulaziz University Saudi Arabia
=46 Simon Fraser University Canada
48 University of São Paulo Brazil
49 University of Gothenburg Sweden
=50 University of Limerick Republic of Ireland
=50 Northumbria University United Kingdom
52 Western University Canada
53 NOVA University of Lisbon Portugal
=54 Australian Catholic University Australia
=54 King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi Thailand
=54 Kyungpook National University South Korea
=57 University of Otago New Zealand
=57 Trinity College Dublin Republic of Ireland
=57 University of Aberdeen United Kingdom
=57 University of Canberra Australia
61 University of Surrey United Kingdom
62 Concordia University Canada
63 University of Exeter United Kingdom
=64 Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Indonesia
=64 University of Alberta Canada
66 Manchester Metropolitan University United Kingdom
67 York University Canada
68 Keele University United Kingdom
69 Glasgow Caledonian University United Kingdom
=70 Université Laval Canada
=70 University at Buffalo United States
=72 National Autonomous University of Mexico Mexico
=72 University of Liverpool United Kingdom
=74 Florida International University United States
=74 Bournemouth University United Kingdom
=76 Auckland University of Technology New Zealand
=76 University of Tasmania Australia
=76 Massachusetts Institute of Technology United States
=79 Hasanuddin University Indonesia
=79 Deakin University Australia
81 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham India
82 Macquarie University Australia
=83 Polytechnic University of Valencia Spain
=83 Universitas Gadjah Mada Indonesia
=85 Oklahoma State University United States
=85 University of Indonesia Indonesia
=87 American University of Beirut Lebanon
=87 Durham University United Kingdom
=87 Texas State University United States
90 University of Barcelona Spain
91 James Cook University Australia
=92 University of Johannesburg South Africa
=92 University of Jaén Spain
94 Shanghai University China
95 Aswan University Egypt
=96 UNSW Sydney Australia
=96 University of Saskatchewan Canada
98 Comillas Pontifical University Spain
=99 Lakehead University Canada
=99 University of Waterloo Canada
=99 University of Padua Italy
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