The Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) sits among the top 10 Spanish universities with the greatest social impact, as determined by the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and according to the latest edition of the British Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021. More specifically, the UMH is ranked 101–200 worldwide and is already among the top 10 Spanish universities. As for the SDGs, the UMH stands out for the goal of Climate Action, where it is in second place internationally, and top within Spain.

Besides being second for Climate Action, the UMH also occupies relevant positions worldwide for other SDGs. These include the goal of Gender Equality, where the UMH is 28th worldwide, and that of Decent Work and Economic Growth, where the UMH sits in 20th place. In the total ranking, with respect to the overall study of the SDGs, the UMH earned a score within the range 77.5–85.2 out of a possible 100 points.

The UMH also stands out by being the first Spanish university with the greatest impact upon Goal 3, Good Health and Well-Being, due to its contributions by training health professionals, in research, resources, collaboration, and the services offered in the health sciences and the area of well-being and athletics. This institution is second place within Spain for Goal 1, No Poverty, for its actions and grants dedicated to eradicating poverty, strengthening equal opportunities for the student body, and for its development cooperation programs in disadvantaged countries. Furthermore, the UMH is notable for Goal 15, Life on Land, for its actions and training aimed at caring for the environment and waste management, as well as Goal 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, for university contributions to technology-based firms, patents, and research funding obtained from private capital.

Finally, the UMH sits among the top four Spanish universities for three other Sustainable Development Goals. These include Goal 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, by the measures employed on responsible consumption and its approach to the sustainable use of resources; Goal 14, Life Below Water, due to research dedicated to submarine life and its education and support for aquatic ecosystems; as well as for Goal 16, Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The recognition for this latter goal is for the measures taken by the UMH in research on peace and justice, its participation advising the Spanish government, and for university policies on academic liberty.

The Times Higher Education Rankings are the only ones that assess universities against the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The 2021 edition, its third, examined 1,117 universities from 94 countries/regions and uses “carefully calibrated indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparison across four broad areas: research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.”*

For further information about these rankings, click here.

*Source of quote: https://www.timeshighereducation.com/impactrankings