Latest rankings an endorsement of CQUniversity's commitment to sustainability

A strong focus on sustainability has seen CQUniversity recognised in the top 20 per cent of universities' globally' in the third edition of the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.

CQUniversity maintained its inaugural ranking of 101-200' despite an increase in the number of officially ranked universities - a true testament to its sustainable global impact agenda.

The rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

A university's overall ranking is based on its performance in SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals (the only mandatory goal)' along with its three best results on the remaining SDGs.

CQUniversity played to its strengths' submitting on eight SDGs' with evidence resulting in first-time recognition for SDG 14: Life Below Water' as well as improved performance on SDG 4: Quality Education' SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities' and SDG 17.

CQUniversity Vice-Chancellor and President' Professor Nick Klomp said the results were an endorsement of the institution's continued commitment to' and investment in' creating a better world by 2030.

"Our improved performance on SDG 17 demonstrates our increased ability' as Australia's most engaged University' to support the development of global sustainability through meaningful partnerships'" Professor Klomp said.

A key highlight from this third edition of the rankings is the outstanding first-time global recognition of CQUniversity's commitment to local marine ecosystem maintenance' education' and action.

"Thanks to the work of our Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) team' we are now recognised in the top seven per cent of universities' for our world-class research' outreach' and stewardship under SDG 14'" Prof Klomp said.

"With an individual ranking of 29 out of 379 participating institutions' this is our most impressive performance on any remaining SDG since our participation in THE Impact Rankings began in 2019.

"From restoring seagrass meadows to rescuing the reputation of the Great Barrier Reef – this prestigious ranking reaffirms CMERC's contribution to an economically and environmentally sustainable future."

This third edition of rankings surveyed 1240 universities from 98 countries' of which 1115 were officially ranked.

Three Australian universities placed second (University of Sydney)' third (RMIT University)' and fourth (La Trobe University)' behind top-ranking institution University of Manchester.

"The latest result is evidence that Australian universities continue to lead the way' globally' in their commitment to improving sustainability across their operations'" Professor Klomp said.

CQUniversity was also one of 10 Ashoka U Changemaker Campuses recognised in the rankings' alongside Arizona State University' Portland State University' and Florida International University.

Ashoka U is an exclusive global network committed to social innovation' enterprise' and impact.

For more information on CQUniversity's commitment to the United Nations' SDGs' please visit www.cqu.edu.au/sdg