Times Higher Education has introduced a new ranking of
universities called “ THE University Impact Ranking”. It is based on UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). THE regards it the only global performance scoring that assess universities
against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
There
are 17 UN SDGs out of which Times Higher Education (THE) evaluates the
performance of HEIs on following 11 SDGs in the first edition.
1. SDG 3 – Good health and well-being
2. SDG 4 – Quality education
3. SDG 5 – Gender equality
4. SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth
5. SDG 9 – Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
6. SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities
7. SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities
8. SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
9. SDG 13 – Climate action
10. SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions
11. SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals
Universities which are
interested in participation submit data on as many of these SDGs as they are
able. Any university that provides data on SDG 17 and at least three other SDGs
is included in the overall ranking.
Since this is relatively new and is certainly a
very useful ranking, this article outlines how universities can benefit if they
decide to participate.
Almost all the Pakistani universities
contribute to SDGs but many do not document their contribution. In some case,
they do not even realize the impact they have on community. Lets focus on
SDG-4, Quality Education. One of the parameter is:
“Does your
university as a body undertake educational outreach activities (e.g. tailored
lectures or demonstrations) beyond campus, e.g. in local schools, in the
community, including voluntary student-run schemes?”
This is a standard practice medical and allied sciences institutions but
it is not given any significance and mostly treated as a part of curriculum delivery
(Community Medicine). Similarly, general universities do hold such sessions but
that is usually owned by a specific department. Universities do not link them
with their social responsibilities.
Most importantly, the
following is a missing element in many Pakistani Universities:
Does your university as a body have a
policy that ensures that access to these activities is accessible to all,
regardless of ethnicity, religion, disability or gender?
Having a policy on such
areas indicates the commitment of the universities but many institutions do not
work for policy in these areas.
Similarly, all indicators
of impact ranking are carefully selected, require evidence and need to be
supported by policy guidelines at institutional level.
Participation into impact
ranking will be open after a couple of months so universities which are
desirous for participation have enough time to review their practices and plan
actions which would facilitate institutions achieving SDGs in a more effective
way.
#highereducation #university #education #impactranking #hec #leadership #rectors
Dr Usmani
February 3, 2020
