For an unprecedented fourth year in a row, Western Sydney University has outranked 2,300 international universities to be named the world’s best for delivering community impact.
The prestigious global Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings singles out the University and Western Sydney community for their ongoing efforts to improve lives, deliver equity and fairness, and safeguard the planet for future generations.
“Like Western Sydney, our University is youthful, diverse, dynamic and entrepreneurial. We reflect our community and we are part of it,’’ said Vice-Chancellor and President, Distinguished Professor George Williams AO.
“These rankings recognise the work we are doing together to take Western Sydney to the next level. We can all be proud of this result.
“Our mission is to ensure our students are successful, our teaching and research have impact, and we are contributing to stronger communities.”
Unlike other rankings, the Impact Rankings measures universities on the practical measures they take to improve lives and deliver outcomes in communities. “Western is showing the world the way,” said Professor Williams.
“Universities around the world are being urged to return to their primary role as public sector organisations delivering public good.
“The Impact Rankings recognise that Western Sydney University is the world’s best at delivering public good in the communities we serve. It’s in our DNA.’’
Western Sydney University works in partnership with communities in Western Sydney and globally including in India and its offshore locations in Indonesia and Vietnam to deliver on its commitment to the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The rankings assess what universities are doing to improve lives based on the SDGs. These include gender equality, ending poverty, providing affordable and clean energy, reducing inequality, industry innovation and producing sustainable cities and communities.
As well as the overall world number one ranking, the University was highly ranked in the following categories:
- 4th in the world for SDG 15 Life on Land
- 7th in the world for SDG 5 Gender Equality
- 8th in the world for SDG 13 Climate Action and SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
- 9th in the world for SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals, SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation and SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
- 10th in the world for SDG 14 Life Below Water and SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
