Now in its sixth edition, the 2024 THE Impact Rankings, compiled by the British magazine Times Higher Education (THE), evaluates universities based on their contribution to the SDGs.
It thus highlights those institutions that not only excel in specific areas but also demonstrate a comprehensive impact on sustainable development at the global level.
This year, the ranking included 2,152 universities from 125 countries and regions, further solidifying its international relevance and reach.
Development Goals
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 global goals adopted in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
They aim to address a range of global challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.
The SDGs provide a roadmap for achieving a better and more sustainable future for everyone.
In its 2024 edition, THE Impact Rankings recognized Universidad ORT Uruguay its work in the following areas:
- Quality Education (SDG 4)
This goal aims to ensure inclusive, equitable, and quality education and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. - Responsible consumption and production (SDG 12)
Aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. - Peace, justice, and strong institutions (SDG 16)
Promotes peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. - Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)
This goal aims to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Notable achievements
The inclusion of Universidad ORT Uruguay this ranking is a testament to its leadership and excellence in higher education.
This recognition is due to key factors that reflect ORT’s commitment to sustainability and innovation, positioning it as a national and international leader.
Universidad ORT Uruguay been recognized for its commitment to sustainability, integrating sustainable practices into its operations and curricula, and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among its students and staff.
ORT excels in research aimed at solving global problems, making a significant contribution to innovation and the development of practical solutions for sustainability.
In addition, the university has implemented numerous community engagement and university collaboration programs, which have had a positive impact on Uruguayan society and beyond.
This sixth edition marks the fourth time has Universidad ORT Uruguay has ; among 1,963 universities, it ranked 601st in the global rankings and performed exceptionally well, at the disaggregated level, in each of the four Sustainable Development Goals in which it participated.
Leading universities
Globally, Western Sydney University in Australia tops the rankings, followed by the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom and the University of Tasmania in Australia, which share second place.
These institutions have demonstrated exceptional performance across a wide range of SDGs, reflecting their comprehensive commitment to sustainable development.
In Latin America, two Mexican institutions stand out among the top-ranked institutions in the overall ranking: the National Autonomous University of Mexico (64) and the Tecnológico de Monterrey (67).
Other well-known Latin American institutions include the University of São Paulo (Brazil), the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, and the National University of Córdoba (Argentina).
Global challenges
Universidad ORT Uruguay inclusion Universidad ORT Uruguay this ranking is a testament to its commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, including environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic growth, and partnerships for development.
ORT has demonstrated outstanding performance in several areas, underscoring the importance of academia’s contribution to promoting sustainable development.
This achievement not only establishes Universidad ORT Uruguay a leader in the national education sector, but also positions it as a leading institution on the international stage, committed to the mission of fostering a sustainable and resilient future.
According to Dr. Nicolás Gambetta, a professor of Corporate Sustainability at the university who is responsible for collecting and compiling data on the university’s contribution to the SDGs, the institution’s performance in the ranking is excellent.
These results are consistent with the findings of the research article“The Academic Quality of Universities and Their Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals,”published this year by Dr. Gambetta in the *International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education*.
Research shows that research output, the number of citations, and international outlook are positively associated with higher scores for universities in the THE Impact Rankings.
“In the case of ORT, the integration of sustainability into undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as the participation of faculty members in projects related to sustainable development, has been key,” Gambetta noted.
"These projects are carried out in collaboration with colleagues, universities, and other international institutions, and the impact research conducted.These efforts undoubtedly contribute to the remarkable results achieved by Universidad ORT Uruguay the latest edition of the THE Impact Rankings," he added.