April 21, 2021

UOW a change maker in global impact rankings

Ranked 6th globally, the University has performed exceptionally well in achieving its UN Sustainable Development Goals

The University of Wollongong (UOW) has been ranked 6^th worldwide in the latest 2021 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

The rankings assess universities around the globe against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using carefully calibrated indicators and provides comparisons across three broad areas: research, outreach and stewardship.

The results were revealed at the THE Innovation & Impact Summit 2021, being held in the United Kingdom this week (19-22 April). 

This year, UOW was evaluated against a total of 1,115 universities globally, a 71.7 per cent increase in participation compared to last year.

UOW secured 18^th rank in the mandatory SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals; an indication of the University’s ongoing efforts in strengthening global partnerships for sustainable development results through programs such as Global Challenges, Global Goals, Local Level and transferring knowledge and education through collaboration between universities.

The University also performed remarkably in other SDGs with SDG 6: Clean water and Sanitation ranked 3^rd globally, followed by SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities ranked equal 7^th globally; and SDG 15: Life on Land ranked equal 8^th globally.

UOW performed strongly in SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy by jumping 16 places to secure equal 9^th rank; and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production moving up 13 places to secure 9^th rank; and SDG 14: Life Below Water leaping 10 places to secure 12^th rank globally. UOW was ranked 18^th in SDG 16: Peace Justice and Strong Institutions.

The University is committed to providing a sustainable and inclusive learning environment and has outlined various measures in its 2020-2025 strategy to achieve those goals.

UOW Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings said the University is committed to providing a sustainable and inclusive environment through research and strategic collaboration with industry partners.

“UOW is proud of its academics and researchers for their dedication and achieving this significant milestone and bringing in a fundamental shift in the way we achieve sustainability,” Professor Wellings said.

“The University is dedicated to building the resilience of communities against discrimination, inequality and vulnerability and aims to improve the lives of people through research and collaboration between universities and industry partnerships.”

 “UOW will continue its focus on maintaining an inclusive and equitable institution where everyone is welcome and has equal opportunities.”

UOW Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Jennifer L. Martin said universities have immense potential to help achieve SDGs by 2030 through research initiatives, governance and engagement with communities.

“Knowledge and organisational culture awareness plays a key part in building sustainable communities, and understanding different community perspectives is critical to bringing in change,” Professor Martin said.

“Through community engagement initiatives and research grants, UOW has collaborated with local communities across multiple projects in a range of categories, creating new and sustainable partnerships.”

UOW’s full Sustainable Development Goals Report can be accessed from the website here.