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Hiroshima University secured 3rd place among Japanese universities in THE's 2024 Impact Rankings for the third consecutive year. It also ranked in the global top 100 in seven SDG categories, the most in Japan!
Times Higher Education (THE) released its 2024 Impact Rankings on June 12, placing Hiroshima University (HU) in the global top 100 in seven SDG categories, more than any other university in Japan.
In the overall ranking, HU secured 101-200th place among 1,963 universities worldwide, tying with three other universities for third place in Japan. This marks the third consecutive year that HU has ranked third in Japan. This consistent ranking reflects the university's ongoing efforts in education, research, and social contributions, which have created a synergistic effect between leading university reforms and university-wide efforts to achieve the SDGs.
The seven categories that ranked in the global top 100 and the three items that tied for first place in Japan are as follows:
| SDG category | World Ranking | Japan Ranking |
| SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) | 45th (out of 2,031 universities) | 1st (out of 77 universities) |
| SDG 1 (No Poverty) | 47th (out of 1,093 universities) | 2nd (out of 36 universities) |
| SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) | 51st (out of 1,026 universities) | 1st (out of 56 universities) |
| SDG 13 (Climate Action) | 54th (out of 924 universities) | 1st (out of 42 universities) |
| SDG 15 (Life on Land) | 56th (out of 741 universities) | 2nd (out of 42 universities) |
| SDG 14 (Life Below Water) | 65th (out of 628 universities) | 5th (out of 41 universities) |
| SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) | 81st (out of 867 universities) | Tied for 3rd (out of 44 universities) |
| SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) | 101-200th (out of 825 universities) | Tied for 1st (out of 47 universities) |
| SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) | 201-300th (out of 1,108 universities) | Tied for 1st (out of 39 universities) |
| SDG 4 (Quality Education) | 401-600th (out of 1,681 universities) | Tied for 1st (out of 52 universities) |
Among the three items that ranked in the global top 100 and first place in Japan, SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) is mandatory. HU ranked 45th in the world and first in Japan out of 2,031 universities worldwide and 77 universities in Japan. This was due to HU’s strong relationships with the government and NGOs, and the university’s proactive dissemination of information to achieve the SDGs. HU received high praise for its efforts in promoting international joint research between Japan and developing countries to solve global issues, in collaboration with the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), through initiatives like the SATREPS program.
For SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), HU’s collaboration with Higashihiroshima City and Kure City, along with partner companies under the Town & Gown concept, was recognized for its efforts to “drive sustainable regional development and the evolution of the university together.”
Regarding SDG 13 (Climate Action), HU was recognized for steadily implementing initiatives such as increasing the use of low-carbon energy based on an action plan to achieve carbon neutrality; contributing to disaster prevention and environmental education through the Resilience Research Center to promote early warning of the risks of climate change; and hosting international conferences organized by HU’s Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS). HU was the only Japanese university to be ranked in the top 100 in the world for this category.
HU submitted data for all 17 SDGs and is working to achieve the SDGs in a wide range of fields.
The university's international efforts to achieve the SDGs have been recognized not only in the THE Impact Rankings but also in the THE Awards Asia, where HU has been a finalist in the International Strategy of the Year category for three consecutive years and was nominated for the Outstanding Contribution to Regional Development category for the first time.
By continuing its efforts to achieve the SDGs, HU aims to contribute to a peaceful and sustainable world by 2030 and beyond.
About THE Impact Rankings and THE Awards Asia
THE Impact Rankings: These rankings evaluate universities' social contributions using the United Nations' SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) framework. Held for the sixth time this year, the rankings included 1,963 universities worldwide and 74 universities in Japan, the largest participation to date. 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.
THE Awards Asia: These awards recognize outstanding reform efforts by Asian universities. Initiated in 2019, the 2024 awards mark the sixth edition.
HU’s Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS)
NERPS serves as an information hub for SDGs promotion and participation of students, researchers, companies, public offices and citizens in peace and sustainability.
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