Radboud University: Radboud University does slightly better in Sustainable Development Goals ranking

Radboud University did slightly better in this year’s international ranking on the SDG performance of universities, securing roughly the same spot as in 2021. We also achieved a slightly higher overall score this year and placed relatively higher in a ranking in which more universities participate every year.

Radboud University ranked between 301 and 400 (24.9th percentile) in the Times Higher Education Impact Ranking 2022(verwijst naar een andere website). In 2021 we secured an undisclosed position between 301 and 400 in the 31.9th percentile. This percentile score reveals Radboud University’s position if all participating universities were ranked from 1 (highest) to 100 (lowest). Relatively speaking, our university improved slightly compared to last year. Our overall points increased from 70 out of 100 in 2021 to 73.6 out of 100 in 2022.

What is the THE Impact Ranking?
The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings assess universities’ contributions to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs(verwijst naar een andere website)). This year, a total of 1,406 institutions worldwide participated in the ranking, compared to 1,115 last year.

There are a total of 17 SDGs for which an organisation can submit input. Contributions to the SDGs are assessed in four areas: research, stewardship, outreach and education.

All participating universities are assessed on point SDG17 (partnerships for the goals), which is combined with the top three scores of the remaining SDGs. The SDGs that Radboud University scored highest on according to the THE Impact Ranking 2022 are:

SDG 3 Good health and well-being (score 71.7/position 201-300 of the 1,101 institutions assessed on this SDG)
SDG 4 Good health and well-being (score 73.7/position 101-200 of the 1,180 institutions assessed on this SDG)
SDG 15 Life on land (score 69.8/position 101-200 of the 521 institutions assessed on this SDG)
SDG 17 Partnerships for the goals (score 69.7/position 401-600 of all institutions assessed on this SDG)
External assessment
Radboud University places sustainability at the core of its education, research and operational management. By participating in the THE Impact Ranking, the university demonstrates its willingness to have its SDG contributions externally assessed against those of other institutions. Participating in the ranking also contributes to the continuous improvement of the university’s sustainability programme. This year’s results will inspire the university to improve its reporting on the various SDGs and sharpen its focus on circularity and recycling.