The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which are based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are released annually to assess the sustainability efforts of universities worldwide. In the latest rankings published on June 12, 2024, the University of Szeged (SZTE) secured the 43rd spot in the thematic list for „Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.“ This achievement marks a significant improvement for SZTE across various subcategories, as well as in the overall ranking where it climbed to the 301-400 range, sharing the top spot in Hungary.
According to a statement provided to our editorial team, SZTE consistently delivers outstanding results in THE Impact Rankings. The evaluation, which measures the economic, social impact, and responsibility of higher education institutions globally, was initiated by Times Higher Education in 2019 based on the 17 SDGs outlined by the UN. This year, SZTE advanced nearly four hundred places in the comprehensive list, ranking at 301-400 among 1963 institutions assessed internationally. This accomplishment not only signifies a significant leap forward for the university but also positions it as a leader among Hungarian institutions.
In the SDG-themed rankings, SZTE excelled in several areas. Notably, the university surged over forty places to claim the 43rd spot globally in alignment with the 16th SDG, „Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions,“ marking the highest Hungarian ranking in THE sustainability lists. SZTE also made substantial progress in the „Quality Education“ (SDG 4) and „Reduced Inequalities“ (SDG 10) subrankings, while significantly advancing in areas such as „Clean Water and Sanitation“ (SDG 6) and „Sustainable Cities and Communities“ (SDG 11).
Furthermore, SZTE stands at the forefront in eleven SDG categories this year, either holding absolute or shared first place in Hungary. These categories include poverty eradication, hunger elimination, quality education, reduced inequalities, climate action, and affordable and clean energy, among others.
Demonstrating a strong commitment to achieving the UN’s sustainable development goals, SZTE actively integrates scientific and technological advancements to promote efficient and sustainable resource utilization. Through its educational, research, innovation, and service activities, the university contributes to the generation of new knowledge and fosters a sense of environmental, social, and cultural preservation among future generations.
SZTE’s dedication to sustainability is further evidenced by its cooperative courses on sustainability, which have recently expanded with 15 new courses developed across seven university faculties through the RRF 2.1.2 Complex Digital Transformation – Intelligent Degree Shift grant. Additionally, collaborative efforts with partner institutions within the Hungarian Universities Sustainability Platform have led to the creation of courses such as „Introduction to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)“ and the internationally developed „UI GreenMetric Online Course on Sustainability.“ In June of this year, the university was also recognized by Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) for its commitment to sustainability, receiving the ‚Commitment to Sustainability‘ award at the QS EduData Summit 2024 for its outstanding environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives.
In conclusion, the University of Szeged’s impressive performance in the THE Impact Rankings underscores its dedication to sustainability and its significant contributions towards achieving global sustainability goals. Through its continued efforts and innovative initiatives, SZTE continues to lead the way in promoting a more sustainable future for all.