New ranking methodology for QS Sustainability 2024. Unipd is a certainty for Italy
05.12.2023
Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), the international ranking agency, published the results of their 2nd edition Sustainability Ranking on 5 December 2023. The publication ranks the active contributions institutions make to sustainable development, and support of significant changes in the environment, society, and governance (ESG, Environment Social Governance) as witnessed by their research, teaching, and engagement with their community.
In collaboration with Elsevier, Yale University, and the Academic Freedom Index, QS rankings selected the pool of universities analysed by the QS WUR ranking, based on the sustainability policies developed by the universities concerning the SDG objectives of the UN. In this edition, the number of institutions has doubled from 700 last year to 1,403 institutions this year from 95 countries.
The University of Padua is ranked 110th in the world and 2nd in Italy.
“Compared to the last edition - comments Mara Thiene, delegate for Joint Degrees and International Rankings - the new QS methodology has profoundly changed its Sustainability ranking by focusing its attention on three areas: Social Impact, Environmental Impact, and Governance.”
Social impact indicators evaluate the efforts an institution places in job opportunities, reputation, and research partnerships with industry (Employability and Outcomes). The second indicator focuses on policies for gender equality, equal opportunities, inclusion, and the fight against discrimination (Equality). The third indicator considers the impact of research into the SDGs concerning the promotion of the health and well-being of staff, and students (Health & Wellbeing). A fourth indicator evaluates the impact of SDG4 (Impact of Education), where institutions must make education more inclusive by promoting lifelong learning and reputation in the social sciences and arts. A fifth indicator evaluates the collaboration of institutions in disseminating knowledge in less developed countries (Knowledge Exchange).
Environmental impact indicators evaluate teaching methods that are aimed at training students on environmental issues (Environmental Education). The second indicator evaluates strategies and implementation efforts that support environmental sustainability (Environmental Sustainability). Finally, the third environmental impact indicator evaluates the impact of the research conducted on other SDGs (Environmental Research).
Governance, or Good Governance, includes policies implemented by institutions such as strong leadership, transparent and evidence-based decision-making, democratic and open justice, and the willingness to transfer power out of central government to local centers.
More details on methodological information are available online.
Globally, the University of Padua is placed in the 51st position concerning the good governance indicator and the 94th position in the equity indicator. In terms of social impact, the University of Padua occupies the 98th position in the world and 177th position in terms of environmental impact.
Even in this 2nd edition, which saw twice the number of participating universities than last year, the University of Padua confirms its high position. This is the result of the excellent work of faculty and staff. The scores reflect the strategic value that our university attributes to the social, environmental, and governance – comments Daniela Mapelli, Rector of the University of Padua – A result that encourages us to continue our work towards the objectives that we have set ourselves between now and 2027, as evidenced by our Charter of Sustainability Commitments, Our Sustainability Plan Gender Equality and the commitment made in recent years to enhance and promote the social impact of the University"
