India’s Amrita university makes global top 100 ‘sustainability’ list

A UNIVERSITY in south India has been included in a list of the world’s top 100 educational institutions doing the most in the fight towards sustainability.

The Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in Tamil Nadu is ranked 81st in the ‘Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2021’. It was previously ranked in the 301-400 band.

Now in its third edition, the annual compilation – released last Wednesday (21) assess universities on their progress towards the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “To see Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham in the overall top 100 of this pioneering and important global ranking is fantastic. Standing up to be counted on the world stage is a clear demonstration of the national commitment to sustainability,” said Phil Baty, chief knowledge officer, Times Higher Education.

Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham finished fifth globally in SDG4 (quality education) and eighth globally in SDG5 (gender equality). It also ranks in the top 100 in the world for SDG3 (good health and well-being) (37th) and SDG6 (clean water and sanitation) (52nd).

In total, 57 Indian universities took part in the process, more than double the total of 28 last year and the second biggest increase of any other country or region after Russia.

“The impact rankings focus on participation as much as position, so it is also truly fantastic to see such a big increase in participating universities from India this year,” Baty said.

He paid tribute to the number of Indian institutions achieving top 100 positions across so many of the SDGs and said it was “testament to the vital role they are playing locally, regionally and globally in helping ensure a fairer, more sustainable world”.

The 2021 edition ranks a record 1,240 institutions from 98 countries and regions for their commitment to sustainability at local, national and global levels, from carbon neutral campuses to global partnerships responding to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research in Karnataka also sees success across several individual SDG tables. It ranks joint 49th in SDG2 (zero hunger), 52nd in SDG3 (good health and well-being), 97th in SDG12 (responsible consumption and production), joint 81st in SDG13 (climate action), and joint 70th in SDG15 (Life on Land).

Indian universities are also seen as championing the fight for SDG7 (affordable and clean energy), as four rank in the top 100 for the second year running.

Debutants Lovely Professional University (22nd), and VIT University (24th) enjoy positions in the top 25. Both Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (80th) and Chitkara University (99th) achieve top 100 positions in the table for the second consecutive year. In total, 12 of the 18 rankings tables, one each for the 17 SDGs and an overall ranking, see an Indian university in the top 100.