UFES is among the Brazilian leaders in the Impact Ranking for the SDGs
Published at www.ufes.br on April 22nd 2020 at 12:40pm
UFES ranked third among Brazilian universities in the Impact Ranking for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations (UN). The ranking is provided by the Times Higher Education (THE) ranking, which is responsible for some of the main rankings of higher education institutions in the world. Worldwide, UFES was among the 200 best universities. THE ranks individually up to the 100th university and, after that, in groups of 100 countries or more.
“This is another achievement of the entire university community and marks the success of the policies that UFES has been implementing in recent years, with actions focused on development associated with the promotion of citizenship. It remains for all of us the challenge of continuing to move forward finding ways that value sustainable development and social inclusion even more, especially in this exceptional moment that we face ”, says Rector Paulo Vargas.
The THE Impact Ranking is the only one in the world that indexes higher education institutions based on the United Nations SDGs to be fulfilled by 2030 (also known as the 2030 Agenda). The indicators are adjusted so that widespread and balanced comparisons can be made, with data related to research, outreach and management.
Among the Brazilian universities, the first position is taken by the University of São Paulo (USP, 14th in the world), followed by the State University of Londrina (UEL, 91st). In third place, ranked between the 101st and the 200th position, together with UFES, are the Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp) and the state universities of São Paulo (Unesp) and Maringá (UEM). In total, 30 Brazilian universities participated in this second edition of the THE Impact Ranking, which includes information from a total of 766 universities from 85 countries.
"The result confirms the importance of UFES’ actions in favor of education and society in the state of Espirito Santo, in Brazil and in the world," says the Head of UFES’ International Office, Patricia Cardoso. She points out that the survey, whose information was sent in 2019, was based on 2018 data (see report attached below). “We prepared a report that consolidates UFES’ actions in relation to the UN objectives. At that time, it was already possible to list more than one action related to each SDG. We know that we have grown in relation to this aspect, for example, with the various initiatives of UFES in relation to the coronavirus prevention”, she adds.
Check the initiatives carried out by UFES at http://www.coronavirus.ufes.br/iniciativas.
Highlights
The Head of the Division of Agreements and Cooperation of the International Office, Yuri Leite, points out that UFES was the Brazilian university that stood out the most in SDG 17, which deals with strengthening the means of implementing and revitalizing global partnerships for sustainable development. Worldwide, UFES was in 37th position in regards to this item and obtained 88.4% of the total score, its best result.
“This is one of the most complete and complex rankings, which has a database with more than 250 indicators, derived from data provided by the institutions, including evidence obtained from international bibliographic databases. UFES, for example, is the first in Brazil and 37th in the world in Partnerships for the Implementation of the SDGs, which is considered the main and mandatory objective, which was analyzed in all universities that participated in the ranking ”, he says.
According to him, this result points out that UFES has great competence to work in collaboration with society, showing how to advance in relation to sustainable development and, at the same time, listening to society about what can be done.
The goals in which UFES achieved the best results were SDG 4 (to ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education, and to promote lifelong learning opportunities for all, with 73.3% of the score), SDG 8 (promoting sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all, with 67.9%) and SDG 5 (achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, with 65.4%).
Sustainability
In the country, in addition to the first place in relation to SDG 17, UFES stood out, ranking second in SDG 5 (gender equality), 13 (taking urgent measures to combat climate change and its impacts, with 60,4% and 55th in the world) and 14 (conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development, with 65.9% and 59th place globally). The University was in third place among Brazilian universities in SDG 8 (sustained economic growth) and in 73rd in the general classification.
Worldwide, UFES also occupies a prominent place in SDG 2 related to ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture. In this SDG, UFES was 47th in the global classification, with 69.8% of the total score, and 6th among the Brazilian universities.
UFES International Office - SRI advises professors or administrative staff who coordinated any action and that contributed to one of the 17 SDGs to complete the form available at the link https://forms.gle/Xz6nA97qGFezxuM48. Actions can be for teaching, research, outreach or administration, as long as they fall within one of the SDGs, such as the promotion of courses or events, the development of scientific research or technological products, actions involving the external community, implementation of sustainable management practices, among others.
The work of collecting, analyzing and submitting data from UFES was developed by the UFES Ranking Committee, formed by staff from different sectors of the University.
The 17 SDGs are:
- 1 – No poverty
- 2 – Zero hunger
- 3 – Good health and well-being
- 4 – Quality education
- 5 – Gender equality
- 6 – Clean water and sanitation
- 7 – Affordable and clean energy
- 8 – Decent work and economic growth
- 9 – Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- 10 – Reduced inequalitties
- 11 – Sustainable cities and communities
- 12 – Responsible consumption and production
- 13 – Climate action
- 14 – Life below water
- 15 – Life on land
- 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions
- 17 – Partnerships for the goals
By Lidia Neves
Editor: Thereza Marinho
