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STAFF REPORTER
The University of Pretoria (UP) has improved its position in the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, rising to position 69 (up from the 101-200 band in 2022) out of 1 705 universities in 115 countries.
This climb up the rankings comes despite increased competition – the number of participating universities grew from 1 410 in 2022 to 1 705 in 2023. In 2023, UP maintained its 2nd position in South Africa.
At the continental level, UP is now ranked 2nd (3rd in 2022). Each university’s overall score and rank are determined by its combined performance in its top three SDGs (each counting 26%) and SDG 17 (“Partnerships for the goals”, 22%).
The Impact Rankings measure actions taken by higher education institutions worldwide toward achieving the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
According to the UN Development Programme, “The SDGs, also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity.”
UP submitted more than 100 pieces of evidence highlighting institutional operations, policies, research and strategy involving collaborative work by dozens of departments and units across the university.
This year’s THE Impact Rankings, released on 1 June 2023, are the fifth annual ranking.
Carefully calibrated indicators for each participating university are measured to provide comprehensive and balanced comparisons across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching.
In charge: Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe
Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Tawana Kupe congratulated the UP community on achieving remarkable milestones. “Once again, UP has proved to be one of the leading universities not only in Africa but also in the world for impact towards the SDGs,” he said.
“This is a collective achievement for our academic and professional staff, students, and partners at all levels – thank you, and well done to everyone involved. UP is leading in tackling the SDGs in four ways: research impact, learning and students, public engagement activity, and responsible campus operations. This most recent result is a testament to the consistent way we have embedded social responsibility across all university levels,” Kupe added.
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