Media releases

Federation University Australia has been ranked among the top 25 per cent of universities worldwide for its positive impact. 

The university is in the top 300 of higher education institutions in the world for its overall Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) impact as part of the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Impact Rankings. 

The impact rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the United Nations’ SDG providing comprehensive and balanced comparisons across four broad areas of research, outreach, stewardship and teaching: 

• Research on relevant topics is the most traditional way that a university might help to deliver its SDGs including addressing critical research issues including energy addressed by the Centre for New Energy Transitions Research. 
• Stewardship or how universities act as stewards is another key SDG factor as they are custodians of significant resources and not just physical resources, such as Federation’s support of ecosystems at Nanya station. 
• Outreach is critical in higher education, and the work that universities do with their local, regional, national and international communities is another key way that they can have an impact on sustainable development. Federation continues to support access to education for all, including those leaving Out of Home Care. We also engage with our local communities through several initiatives, including art exhibitions and performances, and our collaboration with Cardinia Shire on energy efficiency education. 
• Teaching is at the core of what we do at Federation University. We are working hard to ensure that there are enough skilled practitioners to deliver on the SDGs, and in making sure that all alumni take forward the key lessons of sustainability into their future careers. 

Federation’s areas of strongest performance include: 

• Reduced Inequalities – ranked 86th in the world – reflecting our commitment to provide equal access to education to all, including first-generation students and students from developing countries, as well our institutional commitment to diversity and equality. 
• Sustainable Cities and Communities – ranked 87th in the world – reflecting our commitment to share our resources with our local communities, including our libraries, museums and heritage spaces, and our commitment to sustainable practices. 
• Gender Equity – ranked 99th in the world – in line with the University’s SAGE Athena Swan Bronze Award. 

Federation University ranked in the top 20% of universities globally in the following areas: 

• Quality Education 

Federation University ranked in the top 25% of universities globally in the following areas: 

• Good Health and Wellbeing 
• Affordable and Clean Energy 
• Peace and Justice 
• Partnership for the Goals  

For further information on the Impact Rankings, follow this link to Times Higher Education and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals can be found here. 

Quotes attributable to Vice-Chancellor and President, Federation University, Professor Duncan Bentley 

“This is an outstanding result for our second submission to the SDG Impact rankings, particularly when you consider that almost 300 universities were added to the rankings this year.” 

“THE SDG Impact Dashboard provides a vital tool for universities' sustainability work by providing rich data on performance and clear insight into best practise from around the world.”  

“The SDGs adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 are an urgent call for action -they recognise that in order to eliminate poverty we must also have strategies in place to reduce inequality, improve health and education, and stimulate economic growth.”