The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) emerged as the top Philippine university in terms of societal impact based on the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings released on Wednesday, April 21.

ADMU was ranked in the 201-300 bracket, the highest ranked Philippine university in 2021.

ADMU ranked 68th for SDG 17 (Partnerships for Goals), which was focused on “broader ways in which universities support the SDGs through collaboration with other countries, promotion of best practices, and publication of data.”

Here are the rankings of ADMU for the rest of the SDGs:

• SDG 1: No poverty – rank 300-400
• SDG 2: Zero hunger – rank 301-400
• SDG 3: Good health and well-being – rank 101-200
• SDG 4: Quality education – rank 601-800
• SDG 5: Gender equality – rank 301-400
• SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation – rank =99
• SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy – rank 201-300
• SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth – rank 601+
• SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure – rank 401-600
• SDG 10: Reduced inequalities – rank 401-600
• SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities – rank 101-200
• SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production – rank 201-300
• SDG 13: Climate action – rank 101-200
• SDG 14: Life below water – rank 301+
• SDG 15: Life on land – rank 101-200
• SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions – rank 101-200

The SDGs were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as “a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.”

Aside from ADMU, four other Philippine universities made it to the 2021 list.

• De La Salle University (401–600)
• University of Santo Tomas (601–800)
• Tarlac Agricultural University (601–800)
• Mapua University (801–1000)

The THE Impact Rankings are the “only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).”

“We use carefully calibrated indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparison across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching,” the publication said.

At least 1,115 universities from 94 countries/regions participated in the 2021 list.

“Ateneo de Manila’s noteworthy performance in the 2021 THE Impact Rankings – its initial outing, to be precise – shows that our university can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s top institutions when it comes to actual, real-world impact,” said Fr. Roberto Yap SJ, university president, in a press statement. 

“It is proof that our community is able to affect change in our society, in our classrooms, to our research and creative work, and our social development programs. Ateneo de Manila vows to continue and expand its work in helping create a more sustainable and equitable world for everyone,” he added. – Rappler.com