The Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings (IR) released on 1 June 2023 highlights the continuous commitment of the University of Malaya (UM) to address global issues as expressed in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Of the 17 SDGs covered in THE-IR 2023, UM has achieved outstanding performance in eight (8) areas. Gender equality (SDG 5, ranked 3rd) has shown significant improvement from 51st place in last year’s THE-IR. This marks the first time UM has achieved a Top 5 place in any of the 17 SDGs featured in this ranking. In addition to gender equality (SDG 5), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7, ranked 13th) and no poverty (SDG 1, ranked 50th) form the three (3) SDGs rising to the Top 50 rank. The advancement of these SDGs from the 201 – 300 band in last year’s THE-IR is testament to UM’s efforts to become an exemplary institution in line with the aspirations of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Furthermore, clean water and sanitation (SDG 6, ranked 60th), sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11, ranked 72nd), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12, ranked 73rd), partnership for the goals (SDG 17, ranked 81st), and life below water (SDG 14, ranked 85th) have similarly made great strides from last year’s THE-IR performance, with eight (8) SDGs now ranked in the Top 100.
UM was ranked within the 101 – 200 band for the following six (6) SDGs: zero hunger (SGD 2), good health and wellbeing (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), climate action (SDG 13), life on land (SDG 15), and peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16), Of these, UM scored among the top 25% of global institutions for SDG 3, SDG 4, and SDG 16.
UM’s Vice-Chancellor, YBhg. Professor Dato’ Ir. Dr. Mohd Hamdi Abd Shukor views the THE-IR result as a means of benchmarking against other institutions of higher learning in addressing global issues such as no poverty, zero hunger, good health and well-being, gender inequality, quality education for all, and climate change, among others, with a view to promote UM as an exemplary institution in line with the Strategic Development Goals of the United Nations. “I am pleased that the warga Universiti Malaya continue to place Malaysia on the global stage through our dedication, commitment, and hard work towards serving the nation and impacting the world,” said Prof. Dato’ Hamdi.