Higher Education Goes Green: Asian Universities at the Forefront of Global SDG Progress

Sustainability Leadership Shifts East as Asia Secures 22 Spots in THE Impact Top 50

In a compelling shift highlighting Asia’s expanding leadership in sustainable higher education, the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings have revealed a significant rise in the region’s representation and influence. These rankings, based on the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), now serve as a vital measure of how universities are aligning institutional strategies with global development priorities beyond traditional academic outputs.

According to reports, 22 Asian universities secured places within the global top 50, nearly doubling the figure from the previous year, when just 12 institutions featured in this elite segment. Moreover, Asian universities reportedly led in 10 of the 17 individual SDG categories, showcasing their growing influence across areas such as environmental responsibility, social inclusion, and economic sustainability.

Reinforcing this momentum, South Korea’s Kyungpook National University (KNU) and Indonesia’s Universitas Airlangga are said to have entered the overall top 10, an achievement that marks a historic breakthrough for Asian institutions at the highest levels of global sustainability rankings. KNU rose sharply from joint 39th to third overall, with its enhanced focus on support for low-income students contributing to high scores in the “no poverty” SDG. Universitas Airlangga reportedly climbed to joint ninth place, attributed in part to its efforts in sustainable urban development, including public green spaces and free e-bike programmes.

The Impact Rankings evaluate universities based on scores for SDG 17, "Partnerships for the Goals", along with their top three performing SDGs, considering performance across teaching, research, outreach, and stewardship. The latest edition assessed 2,526 universities from 130 countries. Asia’s dominance in the top 50 also exceeded that of other regions: 11 institutions from Australasia, nine from Europe, eight from North America, and one from Africa. Noteworthy Asian performers included South Korea’s Pusan National University (13th), National Taiwan University and Universiti Sains Malaysia (joint 14th), and South Korea’s Kyung Hee University and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (joint 19th). These universities were recognised for significant improvements across various sustainability dimensions.

The rise in performance aligns with growing Asian participation in the rankings. For the first time since their inception in 2019, Asian universities formed the majority,52% of the total, up from 49% in 2024 and 42% in 2020. Their leadership extended to 10 SDG categories, including “quality education” (Lingnan University, Hong Kong), “gender equality” (Walailak University, Thailand), “clean water and sanitation” (Universitas Airlangga), and “decent work and economic growth” (Korea University).

Futao Huang, a professor at Hiroshima University, commented that these outcomes reflect deep-rooted national and institutional commitments to advancing access to education, poverty alleviation, and inclusive development. He particularly highlighted the strong showing in “partnerships for the goals,” led by two Malaysian universities and supported by others across the region, as a testament to Asia’s increasing emphasis on international collaboration and transparent data reporting.

Meanwhile, institutions from countries such as the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia led in fewer SDG categories, seven in total, down from 11 the previous year. Analysts suggested this decline might reflect either the mainstreaming of SDG-related efforts in these countries or waning political support for sustainability initiatives. Despite this, Western Sydney University retained its global lead for the fourth consecutive year, followed by the University of Manchester. Australia’s Griffith University and the  University of Tasmania were jointly placed fourth overall. Overall, the 2025 THE Impact Rankings underscore a decisive shift towards Asia’s growing influence in shaping a more sustainable, equitable, and globally engaged future for higher education.

Editor’s Note:

The 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings highlight a turning point in global higher education, with Asian universities taking centre stage in advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. With 22 institutions in the top 50, nearly double from last year, Asia is emerging not just as a growing academic force but as a leader in sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusive growth. The advancements observed transcend mere improvements in rankings, encompassing significant initiatives spanning student welfare, sustainable infrastructure, and international collaborations. These outcomes underscore education's profound capacity as a transformative instrument for fostering a superior and more equitable future. 

Skoobuzz firmly believes that educational institutions that align their goals with global needs will not only shape the next generation of learners but also help guide the future of our shared progress.