A new Times Higher Education (THE) global ranking of universities, based on an assessment of their impact on the world, has listed Ashesi as one of the world’s best. Ashesi is the only private university in Ghana on the list, ranking in the world’s top 301+ universities alongside the University of Ghana and the University of Professional Studies, Accra. Ashesi’s main strengths as assessed by the ranking, are in the areas of contributing to Quality Education (SD4), Gender Equality (SDG5), Reduced Inequalities (SDG10) and Partnerships for the goals (SDG17).
The Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings is a global attempt to document evidence of universities’ impact on the world. The inaugural ranking is based on how universities are contributing to achieving 11 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The results of the first edition reveal a new hierarchy of diverse global institutions, with the overall ranking listing 462 universities from 76 nations. 22 universities from across Africa are featured on the inaugural list, with 5 from West Africa. Universities had to provide an extensive range of impact data to be included in the ranking. (Click here to see methodology)
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the planet, providing an internationally recognised framework for achieving sustainable development.
The complete list of 11 SDGs on which universities were evaluated for the ranking are:
- SDG 3 – Good health and well-being
- SDG 4 – Quality education
- SDG 5 – Gender Equality
- SDG 8 – Decent work and economic growth
- SDG 9 – Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
- SDG 10 – Reduced inequalities
- SDG 11 – Sustainable cities and communities
- SDG 12 – Responsible consumption and production
- SDG 13 – Climate action
- SDG 16 – Peace, justice and strong institutions
- SDG 17 – Partnerships for the goals.
Speaking on the goal of the ranking, Phil Baty, Chief Knowledge Officer at THE, said: “This new exercise puts all universities on a level playing field, as reflected in the results which include all types of institutions, from big-name research powerhouses to local institutions in developing countries that have never before engaged in global rankings.”