NEWS

On June 18, 2025, the UK-based Times Higher Education (THE) released its 2025 University Impact Rankings. National Taiwan University (NTU) was ranked 14th globally among all listed universities—the highest in Taiwan—marking NTU’s best performance to date in these rankings. This prestigious recognition not only reflects NTU’s long-term commitment to sustainable development but also highlights its strong foundation in academic research and societal impact.

Unlike traditional global university rankings that emphasize academic reputation, THE’s University Impact Rankings assess how universities contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through research, teaching, campus operations, and community engagement. The rankings underscore the critical role higher education plays in addressing global challenges and meeting societal needs. NTU’s faculty and students have long been dedicated to research, education, and community service, consistently taking tangible actions aligned with the SDGs, thereby demonstrating NTU’s robust capabilities and growing international influence in sustainability.

NTU President Wen-Chang Chen noted that the University Impact Rankings focus on sustainability, and that NTU’s recent efforts across teaching, research, and social engagement have earned widespread recognition and awards both nationally and internationally. The evaluation spans a wide range of areas, including university governance, financial management, and talent cultivation. President Chen emphasized that rankings are only one of many indicators, and NTU will continue to center its efforts around the SDGs, striving to make a positive global impact.

This year’s rankings included 2,526 universities from 130 countries, an increase of 374 institutions from last year, making the competition even fiercer. NTU performed exceptionally well, with five SDG categories ranked in the global top 20:

SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being: Ranked 2nd globally

SDG 14 – Life Below Water: Ranked 9th globally

SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Ranked 12th globally

SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: Ranked 13th globally

SDG 2 – Zero Hunger: Ranked 18th globally

Detailed highlights of NTU’s performance in these areas are as follows:

1. SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being (Global Rank: 2)

NTU’s College of Medicine has long contributed to physician training in Southeast Asia and regularly provides healthcare services to rural communities in Taiwan. The College of Public Health collaborates globally on health research and disease prevention. In addition, student groups actively engage in community care, free clinics, and health education, demonstrating NTU’s commitment to public health and social responsibility.

2. SDG 14 – Life Below Water (Global Rank: 9)

NTU’s institutes and departments—such as the Institute of Oceanography, Institute of Fisheries Science, Department of Engineering Science and Ocean Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory, and the Ocean Center—have been deeply involved in ocean sciences. Their work includes training marine professionals, managing water resources, and conserving aquatic biodiversity, thereby enhancing public understanding of ocean issues and contributing meaningfully to marine conservation.

3. SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (Global Rank: 12)

NTU professors are often appointed to key government positions, participating in national policy planning and execution. The university also values inclusive governance, workplace equity, and stakeholder engagement. NTU maintains strong ties with government agencies, businesses, alumni, students’ families, and other partners to ensure transparent and consensus-driven institutional governance.

4. SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (Global Rank: 13)

NTU has actively fostered partnerships with industry, establishing collaborative R&D centers and launching major industry-academia initiatives. In 2024, NTU’s industry-academia collaboration generated NT$2.38 billion in revenue, with over 2,490 valid patents and technology transfers exceeding NT$200 million across 200+ cases, underscoring its role in driving innovation and industrial advancement.

5. SDG 2 – Zero Hunger (Global Rank: 18)

NTU College of Bioresources and Agriculture has worked closely with local communities, offering hands-on support to farmers on pest control, product processing, and branding. The college promotes integration across agricultural value chains and is committed to building a food industry that is safe, innovative, low-carbon, and sustainable, contributing to agricultural modernization and food security.

In the face of global sustainability challenges, NTU remains committed to the core mission of building sustainable capacity on campus and amplifying social impact beyond campus. Internally, NTU is focused on developing a smart and sustainable university. Externally, it continues to partner with local and international stakeholders to fulfill its social responsibilities, aiming to harness the power of higher education to create a resilient and sustainable future. 

Look at the article: University Impact Rankings 2025