ITU is Turkey’s best in sustainable development goals 2021!

Istanbul Technical University (ITU) is on the 24th place in the world and the 1st place in our country in “Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure” heading of this ranking. In “Quality Education” heading, it is on the 48th place in the world and the 2nd place in Turkey.

ITU is among the top 50 universities in two headings of the world rankings

The world’s leading higher education rankings institution Times Higher Education (THE) published its research results on seventeen fundamental problems of the world and the sustainable development goals as their solutions proposed by the United Nations.

According to THE’s rankings, in the list that evaluates around 1,200 universities worldwide, ITU is on the 24th place in the world and in leading position in our country in the 9th goal titled “Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure”. ITU had a great achievement by being on the 48th place in the world rankings and the 2nd place in Turkey in the 4th goal titled “Quality Education”. In addition, it made great progress in the 7th goal titled “Affordable and Clean Energy” and the 17th goal titled “Partnerships for the Goals”.

2021 became a “Breakthrough Year” for ITU

According to the impact rankings of Times Higher Education (THE), while ITU’s general average last year was at the 601+ level among world universities with respect to the measurement of adaptation process to “Sustainable Development Goals” of the United Nations, this year it made a great progress and found a place in the 101-200 band. ITU had a significant achievement with this rise in the rankings.

Besides “Quality Education” and “Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure” areas in which ITU had the greatest achievement, it took place in the 101-200 range in a total of six areas and in the top 200 in the average rankings for all the goals. Thus, it had a great achievement by being the university from Turkey with the best rankings.

We are in the 101-200 range in six areas

Commenting on 2021 world university rankings, ITU Faculty Member and President of International Rankings Commission Assoc. Prof. Dr. Hale Özgün said the following about ITU’s achievement:

“Times Higher Education (THE) 2021 Impact Rankings is an important indicator that evaluates the success of universities worldwide in implementing United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in terms of their societal, environmental and social development activities. This year our university applied to THE Impact Rankings in all the 17 headings. As a result of the evaluation process in which we submitted relevant evidences for all the areas we applied, we took place in the 101-200 range in a total of six areas in the world rankings, while being 24th in one area and 48th in another. By being in the top 50 and top 25 in world rankings in “Quality Education” and “Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure” areas, ITU proved that it is one of the world’s most prestigious universities providing the best education and establishing multifaceted industrial cooperation. We believe that our university’s success will continue with increasing momentum in the coming years.”

What are Sustainable Development Goals?

“Sustainable Development Goals” set by the United Nations involve the objectives determined in fundamental areas such as ending poverty, democratic governance and peace building, climate change and disaster risk, and economic inequality in all the world.

Sustainable development goals are: no poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace, justice and strong institutions; partnerships for the goals.

SDGs were set in by the United Nations in January 2016 and it is aimed to make significant progress in the seventeen goals by 2030. UN supports governments to integrate Sustainable Development Goals into their own development plans and policies through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) formed for managing the seventeen goals. Acting as the development agency of the United Nations, UNDP carries out activities in over 170 countries and regions.