KUCHING: Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) has ranked first in the nation, in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, topping 19 other universities.
Unimas placed 28th in the world, for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5 for its contributions towards achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.
On Friday (April 23), Unimas said it ranked 59th in the same category the previous year.
“This year’s ranking is a major achievement for Unimas.
“Furthermore, this year’s accomplishments in the THE Impact Rankings also extend to SDGs 1 (no poverty), 2 (zero hunger), 4 (quality education), 13 (climate action) and 15 (life on land), in which we are ranked in the world’s top 200 best universities against 1,115 contenders globally.”
Vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Mohamad Kadim Suaidi emphasised that contributing towards the 2030 SDGs was one of the main strategic concerns of the university’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan established last October.
Meanwhile, Unimas Community and Sustainability Centre director Noraziah Abdul Wahab said Unimas was committed towards sustainability initiatives in four domains, namely research activities, community development projects, curriculum, and institutional governance.
“These commitments and initiatives are important to ensure the inclusivity of communities in benefiting the initiatives from the university so that no one in Sarawak and its region is left behind.”
Unimas is also one of the 200 chosen higher education institutions to be included in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), “The Little Book of Green Nudges”.
“It is a strong indication that the university is moving towards the right direction to battle climate changes.”
Unimas was also shortlisted as the Workplace of the Year by the QS World University Rankings in 2020.
“This international accolade proves that the university’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan has successfully created a formidable platform for a conducive and safe place to nurture career growth while progressing towards the sustainable ideals which are the keys to these significant accomplishments.
“The university is resolute in ensuring that the slogans ‘women empowerment’ and ‘gender equality’ are not mere slogans – the Unimas management lineup has a 50:50 male to female ratio.
“Going forward, Unimas will further reinforce its contribution towards fulfilling United Nations SDGs by introducing ‘Masters in Sustainable Development’, a programme that focuses on multidisciplinary efforts towards sustainable management and innovative solutions of global concerns.”
