Ateneo de Manila University has once again distinguished itself as the leading Filipino institution in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, the esteemed global benchmark that evaluates universities based on their contributions to real-world sustainable development. This prestigious ranking system, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), assesses how effectively universities worldwide advance their missions in promoting social, environmental, and economic sustainability. Ateneo’s performance this year reaffirms its sustained commitment to integrating these crucial goals into its academic and institutional framework, placing it solidly within the 101-200 grouping globally.
The THE Impact Rankings, administered by the Times Higher Education group, utilize a rigorous methodology that measures universities’ successes across multiple dimensions of the SDGs, which were formally outlined in 2015. These 17 comprehensive objectives represent a global call to action, designed to achieve a sustainable future through collaboration among nations and sectors. The rankings highlight institutions that translate research, education, community engagement, and operational policies into measurable impacts. Ateneo’s inclusion in the top 200 signifies its robust alignment with these global priorities and its exemplary role in the Philippine higher education landscape.
Among the specific SDGs where Ateneo has excelled, the university ranked in the top 100 worldwide for Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (SDG 16), Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6), and Life Below Water (SDG 14). Achieving the 24th position for peace and justice highlights Ate neo’s comprehensive efforts in fostering governance, institutional integrity, and promoting human rights. Similarly, its placement in clean water and sanitation and life below water reflects significant research and community outreach aimed at preserving vital ecosystems and ensuring access to essential resources, areas critically interconnected with environmental science and public health disciplines.
The rankings further illustrate Ateneo’s broader impact across many other SDG categories. While some remain in more modest brackets, such as Zero Hunger (SDG 2) and Gender Equality (SDG 5), the university shows a positive trend, with noted improvements in critical areas like health and wellbeing (SDG 3) and climate action (SDG 13). The upward trajectory in these domains primarily stems from intensified research programs, localized community projects, and collaborations designed to tackle pressing societal challenges. These nuanced contributions demonstrate that affects are often multidimensional and extend beyond ranking numbers to genuine societal transformation.
Socio-economic sustainability also figures strongly in Ateneo’s profile. Rankings within the 101-200 band for No Poverty, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Responsible Consumption and Production underscore the university’s involvement in applied social sciences, urban planning, and sustainable operational practices. The integration of interdisciplinary approaches that merge engineering, economics, and social policy showcases how research at Ateneo transcends academic silos, generating actionable solutions which address systemic inequalities while promoting economic growth.
Moreover, the institution’s efforts in innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9), albeit positioned within the 800-1000 range, are supported by initiatives fostering technological advancement and infrastructure development aligned with environmental sustainability. For universities, such undertakings are complex, requiring both cutting-edge research in materials and energy-efficient design alongside collaborations with government and private sectors. Ateneo’s involvement signals progress in translating scientific knowledge into practical applications that meet modern infrastructural demands without compromising ecological balance.
This year’s renewed ranking status marks a return to Ateneo’s highest performance after a period that saw placements in the 201-300 brackets in 2021, 2023, and 2024. This resurgence can be attributed to strategic realignment of resources, deeper institutional commitment to sustainability principles, and enhanced visibility in international research collaborations. Consistently leading among Philippine universities, Ateneo’s trajectory signals a model for how academic institutions in developing contexts can rise as key contributors to global sustainable development, providing leadership and innovation despite resource constraints.
University President Fr Roberto Yap SJ explicitly connects these accomplishments to the Jesuit educational mission, emphasizing that sustainability is not a recent academic trend but rather a long-standing ethical imperative embedded in their institutional identity. He references Laudato Si’, the papal encyclical that calls for ecological responsibility, signaling how global ethical frameworks can galvanize university policies towards environmental and social stewardship. This philosophical grounding translates into concrete institutional initiatives designed to create resilient infrastructures, promote social justice, and inspire future generations of leaders.
The THE Impact Rankings also provide a map for universities worldwide to assess their sustainability performance against peers, pushing institutions to improve and innovate continuously. For Ateneo, the rankings are a challenge as much as a recognition. The university must continue to advance its impact through purpose-driven leadership, interdisciplinary research, and inclusive partnerships. These elements are critical as the world faces increasingly complex sustainability challenges that require responsiveness, collaboration, and transformative actions.
Regionally, Ateneo’s performance stands alongside 11 other ASEAN institutions in the 101-200 bracket, reflecting the rapid improvement noted among East and Southeast Asian universities in their sustainable development contributions. This regional momentum highlights the growing global importance of Asia-Pacific universities as engines of innovation and social progress. As nations in this region grapple with environmental vulnerabilities, population growth, and economic disparities, higher education institutions’ roles in solution-oriented research and community development become ever more salient.
On a global scale, Western Sydney University in Australia maintains the top position for the fourth consecutive year. This consistent leadership exemplifies the competitive nature of the Impact Rankings and the high bar set for sustainability efforts worldwide. For institutions like Ateneo, competing at this level fosters a dynamic environment of exchange and continued improvement, driving forward a collective agenda aimed at achieving the United Nations’ SDGs by 2030 and beyond.
The inclusion of 113 Philippine institutions in this year’s rankings among a total of 2,526 globally indicates the increasing engagement of universities in the country with global sustainability challenges. This broad participation points to an expanding awareness within the Philippine academic sector, which can accelerate national sustainable development priorities. Through education, research, and community partnerships, these institutions collectively shape the future trajectory of sustainable progress, amplifying social impact on both local and global scales.
In conclusion, Ateneo de Manila University’s persistent leadership in the THE Impact Rankings highlights its vital role as a beacon of sustainability in the Philippines and across the world. It illustrates how a university’s mission, combined with scientific research, ethical commitment, and community engagement, catalyzes tangible contributions towards solving some of today’s most urgent global issues. As the landscape of higher education evolves, Ateneo’s success story serves as both an inspiration and a blueprint for advancing sustainability at institutions everywhere.
Subject of Research: University contributions to sustainable development measured through United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Article Title: Ateneo de Manila University Reaffirms Leadership in Global Sustainability Rankings
News Publication Date: 18 June 2025
Web References:
https://www.ateneo.edu/news/2024/06/13/impact-rankings-2024-ateneo-continues-lead-among-universities-real-world-impact
https://www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/impact-rankings-2025-results-announced
Keywords: Sustainable Development Goals, University Rankings, Higher Education, Sustainable Development, Ateneo de Manila University, Times Higher Education, SDG 16, SDG 6, SDG 14, Climate Action, Social Impact, University Sustainability
