National Taiwan University (NTU) this year placed 14th in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, the best result ever achieved by a Taiwanese university.
The rankings, which evaluate the contributions made by universities toward the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), assessed 2,526 institutions in 130 countries and territories this year.
NTU rose 41 spots from 55th last year, according to the rankings, which were released by UK-based higher education data provider Times Higher Education today.
File photo courtesy of National Taiwan University via CNA
NTU was the top-ranked university in Taiwan, ahead of National Cheng Kung University (31st), National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (41st) and National Yunlin University of Science and Technology (77th).
"In recent years, NTU's efforts in teaching, research and social sustainability have received recognition and awards at home and abroad," NTU President Chen Wen-chang (陳文章) said in a statement.
"While rankings are only one of many assessment indicators, NTU will continue to center its mission on the Sustainable Development Goals and strive to create a positive global impact," Chen said.
NTU said it placed in the top 20 globally for five of the SDGs, including a ranking of second in "Good health and well-being" and ninth in "Life below water."
Western Sydney University in Australia topped the rankings for a fourth consecutive year, while the UK's University of Manchester placed second and South Korea's Kyungpook National University ranked third.
"Asian universities claim more than half of all places in the rankings," with institutions from the region also leading 10 out of the 17 individual SDG categories, Times Higher Education said.
"The overall Impact Rankings table identifies and celebrates universities that demonstrate comprehensive excellence in contributing to global sustainable development," it said.
The rankings reflect performance in areas such as environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic growth and international partnerships, based on a methodology that aggregates scores across multiple SDGs, Times Higher Education said.
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