The British higher education journal Times Higher Education (THE) published its Impact Rankings 2022 — a list that assesses universities against the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — last April 28.

Hiroshima University (HU) placed 3rd in Japan with Keio University, Kobe University, Tohoku University, and the University of Tsukuba. For the overall ranking, HU ranked 101-200th among 1,406 universities worldwide.The overall ranking is calculated by combining the score in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) with the top three scores out of the remaining 16 SDGs.

HU was also listed in the top 100 globally in five of the 17 UN SDGs:

• 42nd for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure)
• 60th for SDG 1 (No Poverty)
• 62nd for SDG 2 (Zero Hunger)
• 71st for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
• 80th SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

HU submitted data on every SDG. For the Japan rankings, HU ranked in the top 5 for 11 categories and led the list for SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

International efforts to achieve the SDGs

THE also placed HU among the eight finalists — the only nominee in Japan — for the International Strategy of the Year category of THE Awards Asia 2022, an international platform to recognize outstanding reform efforts by Asian universities.

Last year, HU was also shortlisted for THE's DataPoints Social Impact Award category. HU's data transparency — and the supporting evidence for its approach to achieving the elements of the SDGs  — was highly valued in this category.

By continuing and developing its efforts to achieve the SDGs, HU aims to make its contribution visible to the world in achieving the SDGs by 2030 and beyond to realize a peaceful and sustainable world.