THE Impact Rankings 2023: MMSU no. 1 in PH for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

By Daniel P. Tapaoan, Jr. 

 

In the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2023, Mariano Marcos State University has been ranked 601-800 in the world, joining a few Philippine institutions in the prestigious roster. The annual rankings are global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

 

Exceptionally, MMSU emerged number one in the Philippines and 201st-300th in the world for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. This ranking focuses on universities’ role as engines of economic growth and their responsibilities as employers. It explores institutions’ economic research, their employment practices and the share of students taking work placements.

 

The university also landed second in No Poverty (Goal 1), Good Health and Well-being (Goal 3), and Partnership for the Goals (Goal 17); third in Zero Hunger (Goal 2) and Affordable and Clean Energy (Goal 7); fourth in Gender Equality (Goal 5) and Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (Goal 16); and fifth in Quality Education (Goal 4) in the country. 

 

MMSU is the only university in Region I and one of only 29 tertiary schools in the country which were listed in the 2023 THE Impact Rankings. 

 

Assessment was based on MMSU's impact in the nine SDGs. The total score of the university was generated from its score for SDG 17, which entails 22% of the overall score, plus the three highest scores from the other SDGs, which carry 26% each. 

 

MMSU obtained an overall score of 66. Its score in Goal 17 is 63.9, ranking 601st-800th. Its highest scores from the other SDGs were on Decent Work and Economic Growth, 65.1 (rank 200-300), No Poverty, 58.9 (rank 201-300), and Affordable and Clean Energy, 49.8 (rank 401-600).  

 

The university was also ranked 401st-600th in Zero Hunger (37.2); 601st-800th in Good Health and Wellbeing (47.7) and Gender Equality (41.9); 801st-1000th in Quality Education (41.0); and 801st+ in Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions (28.4).  

 

MMSU President Shirley C. Agrupis congratulated the entire university community, especially the team which spearheaded the application. “Our stellar performance in the 2023 THE Impact Rankings shows that we are gaining headway toward becoming a premier Philippine university while contributing to the attainment of the SDGs,” she expressed. 

 

More than 1,500 institutions from 112 countries or regions were included in this year’s rankings. Leading the global impact ranking list anew is the Western Sydney University in Australia.

 

To assess the universities against the SDGs, the global ranking body carefully calibrated indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparisons across four areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching. Participating institutions submitted their data collated from January to December 2021. (HLY/JVBT, StratCom)
 

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