Ten universities in the UAE have been recognized in the 2025 QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, which evaluates institutions based on social, environmental, and governance impact.
The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) leads the nation’s institutions, securing 343rd place globally in this category. The UAE achieved its highest average score in the 'equality' category, reflecting strong diversity and support for students and staff on campuses.
The QS Sustainability Rankings assess universities through nine lenses, including equality, knowledge exchange, environmental sustainability, and employability. Jessica Turner, CEO of QS, emphasized the importance of sustainability in higher education, stating,
“By assessing institutions across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) categories, the rankings catalyze ideas, actions, and engagement, fostering positive change.”
Regionally, the American University of Beirut (AUB) emerged as a leader in four areas: equality, knowledge exchange, impact of education, and environmental sustainability. Saudi Arabia’s King Abdulaziz University (KAU) ranked 207th globally, excelling in 'employability and outcomes,' while Cairo University in Egypt stood out for its environmental education initiatives. Qatar University, ranked third regionally, excelled in 'health and wellbeing' and 'governance,' placing 236th and 153rd in these respective lenses.
Global trends highlight that sustainability is increasingly important to prospective students, with 62% considering it "very important" when choosing universities, according to the 2024 QS International Student Survey. The rankings evaluated 1,744 universities across 107 countries, with the US, China, and the UK leading in representation.
The results underscore the growing role of universities in addressing global challenges through sustainable practices and impactful research.
News Source: Khaleej Times
