Four Latvian universities are ranked in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2020, released on 22nd of April, 2020.
THE University Impact Rankings show how the global higher education sector is working towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It captures universities’ impact on society based on institutions’ success in delivering the 17 SDGs, reflecting work done and highlighting significant endeavors that are not rated in rankings of other classifications.
Riga Technical University (RTU) – ranked 101 - 200
Riga Technical University is ranked 101-200, thus becoming also the most highly rated of the four Latvian universities in this Impact ranking. In comparison with the previous year, RTU has improved its results, thus moving from group 201-300 to group of 101-200.
RTU efforts to achieve the goal of “Climate Action” are highly valued – RTU is recognized as the 14th best in the world in this field. RTU has shared the 34th place reaching the goal “Affordable and Clean Energy”, 45th place in implementing activities of goal “Decent Work and Economic Growth”, and 70th place in fulfilling the intentions of goal “Industry Innovations and Infrastructure”.
More about the results of RTU here.
University of Latvia (UL) – ranked 201 - 300
The University of Latvia ranks in the group of 201-300, rising in results of the rankings, which include infrastructure, innovation and cooperation indicators.
UL has achieved the best results in categories “Decent work and economic growth” (the 59th place), “Peace, justice and strong institutions” (the 60th place), and “Industry innovations and infrastructure” (the 91st place).
More about the results of UL here.
Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) – ranked 301 - 400
Rīga Stradiņš University is ranked in the group of 301-400, and has entered THE Impact ranking for the first time.
The highest rating for RSU is for the goal “Good health and well-being”, sharing the 56th place in the ranking. RSU efforts to achieve the goals of “Peace, Justice and Strong institutions”, “Sustainable Cities and Communities” and “Partnerships for the goals” are also highly valued.
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LLU) – ranked 401– 600
Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies is ranked in the group of 401 – 600, and also has entered THE Impact ranking for the first time.
The highest score is obtained in the goal “Life on Land”, where LLU is ranked in the 80th place. Significant performance is achieved also in the goal "Sustainable Cities and Communities" and "Peace, Justice and Strong institutions".
767 universities from 85 countries were evaluated
A year ago, in implementation of 17 Sustainable Development Goals 450 universities from 76 countries were evaluated in this ranking, but this year there were 766 universities from 85 countries. University of Auckland is ranked 1st in the rankings this year, followed by University of Sydney in the 2nd place, and Western University of Sydney in the 3rd place, both in Australia.
The results of the ranking can be found here.