USM among top 50 institutions in world sustainability rankings 2021

21 Apr 2021

GEORGE TOWN: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has been ranked 39th in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2021 on sustainability out of over 1,200 institutions across 98 countries around the world.

USM, in a statement, said the position, which is the highest in the country, represented a huge jump from last year’s rankings (65).

“This latest achievement further cements USM’s position as among the world’s best institutions when it comes to solving humanity’s greatest challenges,” it said.

The ranking puts USM above such renowned universities sa King Abdulaziz University (46), Trinity College Dublin (57), University of Liverpool (72), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (76) and Deakin University (79).

It is also the second highest institution to be ranked overall in Asean (behind Chulalongkorn University in Thailand at 23rd), while in Asia it is placed fifth highest.

USM said, in addition to being placed in the top 50 positions in the overall rankings, it was also ranked ninth in the world for SDG16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

SDG refers to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

As for other individual SDGs, USM is also the highest ranked university in Malaysia in the following: SDG1 (No Poverty) at 21st in the world, SDG2 (Zero Hunger) at 29th, SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being) tied at 40th, SDG7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) at 50th and SDG14 (Life Below Water) at 58th.

“This is the third year running that USM has participated in the THE Impact Rankings, that assesses actions relating to sustainability that are undertaken by universities around the world based on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),” it added.

The University of Manchester is ranked top in the overall rankings, but the Top 10 rankings are dominated by universities from Australia.

Source: NST