The University of Dubrovnik has once again been included in the prestigious Times Higher Education Impact ranking this year. This is the only global ranking list that assesses the performance of universities according to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The fundamental values set by these goals include freedom and the right to dignity, equality of all people, solidarity in addressing global challenges, tolerance and mutual respect for diversity, respect for nature and consideration for all living beings and natural resources, as well as shared responsibility for development.

UNIDU has been ranked in 16 out of 17 SDGs criteria, with more than 2300 institutions which is a significant increase in the number of institutions participating in the ranking. The University has maintained its position from last year and has made progress in four areas, rated above the median for the relevance of its research to achieving the UN goals.

Progress has been made in Goal 2 – Zero Hunger (the goal measures the university’s research on hunger, their teaching on food sustainability, and their commitment to reducing food waste), Goal 5 – Gender Equality (the goal measures the university’s research on gender equality, their policies, and their commitment to employment and promotion of women), Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (the goal measures the university’s research on industry and innovation, their number of patents, and their research income from industry).

Remarkable success has been made in Goal 8 that measures the university’s economic research, employment practices, and the percentage of students undertaking internships, as the University has been ranked among the top hundred institutions in the world.

Professor Nikša Burum, the Rector of the University of Dubrovnik, said: “Being included again in the Times ranking is recognition of the efforts the University puts into promoting sustainable development within the community through its scientific and social mission. Promoting sustainability is our obligation, which contributes to competitiveness in research and the quality of the educational process. The University implements a large number of projects on this topic that, through collaboration with various stakeholders, contribute to achieving the goals of sustainable development which are embedded in all our strategic documents.”

The ranking results are available at the following link.