Near East University has achieved an outstanding global success in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, ranking 39th in the world overall.
This result reflects the University’s strong and measurable contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through education, research, health and well-being, social responsibility, sustainable campus practices, cultural and community engagement, gender equality, and international partnerships.
In the 2026 results, Near East University was ranked among the world’s leading universities in several Sustainable Development Goals:
These results demonstrate Near East University’s continued progress in integrating sustainability into its institutional strategy, governance, education, research, campus life, public engagement, and global collaborations.
2026 Results by Sustainable Development Goal
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being
Global Rank: 32 | Score: 84.7
SDG 3 measures universities’ contributions to health, well-being, healthcare education, health-related research, and community health services.
This category is especially relevant for universities with strong health sciences, hospitals, clinics, preventive health programmes, public health initiatives, and community health outreach.
THE considers areas such as:
- Research related to good health and well-being
- Number and proportion of graduates in health professions
- Collaborations and health services
- Health outreach programmes for local communities
- Health services for disadvantaged, displaced, or refugee communities
- Mental health support
- Sexual and reproductive health services
- Smoke-free campus policies
- Sports and well-being activities
Near East University’s ranking as 32nd in the world in SDG 3 reflects the strength of its health education, healthcare services, clinical infrastructure, public health initiatives, and community-oriented health activities.
The University’s hospitals, dental and health clinics, health sciences programmes, preventive health activities, and outreach projects contribute significantly to its performance in this category.
SDG 4 – Quality Education
Global Rank: 11 | Score: 87.7
SDG 4 evaluates how universities contribute to inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities.
This category examines not only formal degree programmes but also the wider educational role of universities in society. It includes teacher education, lifelong learning, public educational resources, public events, vocational training, outreach activities, and access to education for disadvantaged groups.
THE considers areas such as:
- Research related to quality education
- Graduates with teaching qualifications
- Lifelong learning opportunities
- Free public access to educational resources
- Educational events open to the public
- Vocational training and executive education
- Outreach activities beyond the campus
- Policies supporting access to lifelong learning
- Proportion of first-generation students
Near East University’s ranking as 11th in the world in SDG 4 demonstrates its strong contribution to quality education, lifelong learning, public education, educational outreach, and inclusive access to learning opportunities.
This result reflects the University’s broad educational ecosystem, which extends from formal undergraduate and postgraduate education to community education, public learning activities, professional development, and social contribution.
SDG 5 – Gender Equality
Global Rank: 71 | Score: 69.2
SDG 5 evaluates how universities support gender equality through access to higher education, student success, institutional policies, employment practices, mentoring, and support mechanisms.
This category focuses on whether universities systematically measure and support women’s access, participation, graduation, leadership, and academic progression.
THE considers areas such as:
- Research related to gender equality
- Proportion of first-generation female students
- Women’s access to higher education
- Tracking of women’s application, acceptance, and entry rates
- Policies supporting women’s applications and participation
- Women’s graduation rates
- Proportion of female graduates
- Gender equality and non-discrimination policies
- Women’s mentoring schemes
- Support for women in underrepresented fields
- Maternity, paternity, and childcare-related policies
Near East University’s ranking as 71st in the world in SDG 5 reflects its institutional efforts to support gender equality, inclusive education, equitable participation, and women’s representation across university life.
This result also highlights the importance of systematic monitoring, inclusive policies, mentoring, and equal opportunity practices in strengthening gender equality in higher education.
SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities
Global Rank: 8 | Score: 91.7
SDG 11 assesses how universities contribute to inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable cities and communities.
This category focuses on the role of universities in supporting cultural heritage, public access to knowledge and cultural resources, sustainable transportation, affordable housing, sustainable campus planning, and collaboration with local authorities.
THE considers areas such as:
- Public access to buildings, libraries, museums, galleries, collections, and green spaces
- Support for arts, culture, and heritage
- Expenditure on arts and heritage
- Sustainable commuting policies and practices
- Pedestrian-friendly campus planning
- Affordable housing support for students and employees
- Sustainable standards for new buildings
- Collaboration with local authorities on planning and development
Near East University’s ranking as 8th in the world in SDG 11 reflects the University’s strong contribution to cultural life, public access to knowledge and heritage, sustainable campus development, and community-oriented institutional practices.
The University’s museums, libraries, cultural spaces, public art initiatives, campus infrastructure, and community engagement activities are central to its performance in this category.
SDG 17 – Partnership for the Goals
Global Rank: 3 | Score: 98.8
SDG 17 evaluates how universities contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals through partnerships, collaboration, data sharing, public reporting, and education for sustainable development.
This category reflects a university’s ability to work with governments, non-governmental organisations, civil society, academic institutions, and international partners to support sustainable development at local, regional, and global levels.
THE considers areas such as:
- Research related to the Sustainable Development Goals
- International and cross-sectoral partnerships
- Collaboration with governments, NGOs, and regional organisations
- Participation in SDG policy development and data collection
- Publication of SDG progress reports
- Education and awareness activities related to the SDGs
- Sharing of best practices for sustainable development
Near East University’s position as 3rd in the world in SDG 17 demonstrates the strength of its international collaborations, institutional reporting culture, sustainability-focused partnerships, and active contribution to global SDG dialogue.
Institutional Significance
Near East University’s performance in THE Sustainability Impact Ratings reflects more than a ranking result. It shows the University’s capacity to produce measurable impact through education, research, healthcare, social responsibility, cultural engagement, campus sustainability, and international collaboration.
The 2026 results demonstrate that sustainability is not limited to a single institutional unit or project. It is embedded across the University’s governance structures, academic programmes, research activities, campus operations, community engagement, and global partnerships.
Through its continued work on the Sustainable Development Goals, Near East University contributes to a more sustainable, inclusive, healthy, and equitable future for both local and global communities.
Official Certificates of Achievement
The certificates presented below document Near East University’s outstanding performance in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026. In addition to ranking 39th among 1,603 universities worldwide in the overall ranking, Near East University achieved leading global positions in five Sustainable Development Goals. These certificates reflect the University’s measurable contribution to sustainability through education, research, health and well-being, social responsibility, sustainable campus practices, cultural and community engagement, gender equality, and international partnerships.
Year-by-Year Performance
Near East University has shown consistent and significant progress in THE’s sustainability-focused rankings.
THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026
Near East University ranked 39th among 1,603 universities worldwide in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026. The University also ranked first in both Cyprus and Türkiye, with an overall score of 93.3.
The University also achieved outstanding results in key SDGs:
- SDG 17 – Partnership for the Goals: 3rd in the world
- SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: 8th in the world
- SDG 4 – Quality Education: 11th in the world
- SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: 32nd in the world
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality: 71st in the world
The 2026 results confirm Near East University’s position among the world’s leading universities in sustainability impact and demonstrate the University’s growing global contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals.
THE Impact Rankings 2025
In 2025, Near East University ranked 43rd among 2,318 universities worldwide in the THE Impact Rankings. The University was also ranked first in Cyprus and second among universities in Türkiye, with an overall score of 92.8.
In the 2025 results, Near East University achieved the following global positions:
- SDG 17 – Partnership for the Goals: 35th in the world
- SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: 15th in the world
- SDG 4 – Quality Education: 13th in the world
- SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: 48th in the world
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality: 57th in the world
These results highlighted the University’s strong contribution to sustainability, community well-being, inclusive education, health services, and international collaboration.
THE Impact Rankings 2024
In 2024, Near East University achieved significant progress in the THE Impact Rankings, advancing from the 401–600 band to the 201–300 band.
In the 2024 results, Near East University achieved strong positions in several SDGs:
- SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: 8th in the world
- SDG 4 – Quality Education: 6th in the world
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality: 46th in the world
- SDG 17 – Partnership for the Goals: 45th in the world
- SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being: 101–200 band
This progress reflected the University’s strengthening performance across education, health, gender equality, sustainable cities and communities, and global partnerships.