UTA ranked among top 15 nationally for sustainable development goals
The University of Texas at Arlington ranked No. 14 among American colleges and universities in the recently released 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
UT Arlington maintained an overall ranking in the group of 101-200 among universities worldwide for its support of SDGs, which are 17 global initiatives encompassing education, human rights, public health, community development and economic growth.
UTA ranked No. 22 among American colleges and universities in the SDG measure of Sustainable Cities and Communities, according to the rankings. That finish represents a jump of 50 spots from the previous year. UTA also improved 10 spots from No. 72 to No. 62 in the Good Health and Wellbeing measure. In the Zero Hunger goal, UTA ranked in the 101-200 group.
More than 1,600 institutions participated this year. The rankings started in 2019 with 467 universities.
Meghna Tare, UTA’s chief sustainability officer, said the ranking recognizes the strength of UT Arlington’s diverse sustainability initiatives and partnerships in North Texas.
“UT Arlington is incorporating sustainable development goals into practice by engaging with the North Texas community in its advancement and showcasing instances and models of sustainable development programs and activities,” Tare said. “This includes leading the Regional Center of Expertise for Education on Sustainable Development (RCE North Texas), integrating sustainability in the curriculum, and teaching and engaging with students on campus.”
RCE North Texas is a network of multidisciplinary stakeholders, including higher education institutions, businesses, non-governmental organizations, community associations and local, regional, state and federal government agencies.
The U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals are a call to action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. In establishing SDGs, the U.N. recognized that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.