FIVE Philippine universities have made it to the list of the world’s best in this year’s Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Commission on Higher Education (Ched) said.
These universities are the Ateneo de Manila University (71.0-77.4), De La Salle University (56.6-66.2), University of Santo Tomas (47.6-56.5), Tarlac Agricultural University (47.6-56.5), and Mapua University (36.5-47.5).
The 2021 Impact Rankings review and rank 1,115 universities from 94 countries/regions.
The THE Impact rankings also measure how an institution’s research, outreach and stewardship deliver against the United Nations’ SDGs – a blueprint to achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.
While the four private universities – ADMU, DLSU, Mapua, UST – are well-known universities, only one public university – Tarlac Agricultural University (TAU) – is ranked among the world’s best universities by the THE.
ADMU highest ranked in PHL
Overall, ADMU was ranked in the 201-300 bracket, the highest ranked Philippine institution for 2021.
It is also the highest overall Impact Rankings placement of any Philippine institution since the performance table was inaugurated in 2019.
The University was ranked number 68 worldwide for SDG 17 (Partnerships for Goals), highlighting Ateneo’s wide network of collaborations and partnerships with civil society, local and national government, business, and academe, at home and abroad. It is the highest ranked SDG rating for Ateneo.
Ateneo de Manila University had the highest scores in the following SDGs:
• SDG 17: Partnerships for Goals: rank =68 (score: 87.4)
• SDG 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions: rank 101-200 (score: 63.1-72.9)
• SDG 11: Sustainable cities and communities: rank 101-200 (score: 61.9-72.6)
• SDG 3: Good health and well-being: rank 101-200 (score: 70.1-77.6)
The University was also rated for the rest of the SDGs (arranged according to ranking):
• SDG 6: Clean water and sanitation: rank =99
• SDG 13: Climate action: rank 101-200
• SDG 15: Life on land: rank 101-200
• SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy: rank 201-300
• SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production: rank 201-300
• SDG 1: No poverty: rank 300-400
• SDG 5: Gender equality: rank 301-400
• SDG 2: Zero hunger: rank 301-400
• SDG 14: Life below water: rank 301+
• SDG 9: Industry, innovation, and infrastructure:rank 401-600
• SDG 10: Reduced inequalities: rank 401-600
• SDG 4: Quality education: rank 601-800
• SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth: rank 601+
ADMU Engagement
The Ateneo said engagement with the wider world has always been part of the university’s mission. All its different units – Basic Education, Loyola Schools, Professional Schools, and its myriad of research centers and institutes – have a variety of programs linked to sustainability, environment, socio-political engagement, and addressing inequalities. Among the most prominent are Gawad Kalinga; the Ateneo Center for Educational Development; Pathways to Higher Education; the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability; Ateneo Policy Center; and the Ateneo Human Rights Center.
At present, ADMU is actively engaging in the fight against Covid-19 through research, relief, addressing needs of front line workers, and in helping schools adjust to online learning.
The university’s linkages and partnerships include the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network; sector representation in the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council; Asean University Network-Ecological Education and Culture secretariat; and the Coastal Cities at Risk project.
The university is also works with a wide network of local governments as well as with the national government, through the Ateneo School of Government, Ateneo School of Medicine and Public Health, Loyola Schools, and the Office of the Vice President for Social Development.
It regularly releases the Ateneo Sustainability Report, which gives a broad overview of Ateneo’s efforts in connection with the UN SDGs. It is published by the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability every three years, with the most recent one released 2020.
Mission, identity
“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, ADMU President.
He added:” THE Impact Rankings are really consistent with our identity and mission. The SDGs on Health, Sustainability, Peace and Justice, and Partnerships really resonate with who we are and what we do.”
Fr. Yap said ADMU’s ranking is proof that their community is able to affect change in the society, classrooms, research and creative work, and theur 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.
Leading the global rankings is the University of Manchester (United Kingdom). A total of five Philippine universities entered the overall rankings.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are called the “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all” by the United Nations.
First set in 2015, the SDGs, also called the Global Goals, are 17 interlinked aims that are “urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership.”
The organization explains its methodology on its website, timeshighereducation.com.
CHED hails Tarlac university
Meanwhile, Ched Chairman J. Prospero E. De Vera III was impressed with the performance of TAU.
“TAU has continuously improved its ranking among SUCs and has achieved Level 4 status in the last Ched leveling exercise. It has also joined most of the internationalization programs of Ched, particularly with Canadian universities and has inked partnership agreements with 7 Canadian colleges and universities. This new ranking is the result of these efforts,” De Vera said.
TAU’s top 3 entries in SDG areas are in Gender Equality, Quality Education and No Poverty.
TAU is located in Camiling, Tarlac. Its major programs include agriculture, biosystems engineering, food technology, veterinary medicine, forestry and other agriculture-related programs, which cater to close to 6,000 students.
“This international ranking of TAU is a testament of the leadership excellence of our Board of Regents, headed by Dr. Ronald Adamat, the constant support of Ched through De Vera III, the guidance of the Ched Director of International Affairs and concurrent OIC Executive Director Lily Freida M. Milla and the encouragement of Ched Regional Office -3 Director Maria Teresita Semana for TAU to push its internationalization initiatives,” said TAU President Max P. Guillermo.
“As Chairman of the TAU Board of Regents, I know firsthand how the board has worked together especially in providing much-needed guidance and support through pertinent policies, strategies, and approaches which led to the approval of the university’s Strategic Internationalization Program in 2018, in consonance with the Ched’s program of establishing and developing world class Philippine universities,” Adamat explained.
Adamat further believes that with this milestone, TAU could now be a global player insofar as enabling and inspiring students to deliver their full potential through educational achievement, international mobility, and career development are concerned.
“The Commission will continue to support private and public HEIs to internationalize. The ranking of the 5 HEIs shows that it can be done and should be an inspiration to others to follow,” De Vera said.
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