The article examines the origin, potential benefits, and challenges faced by Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in participating in global sustainability rankings. The focus of these rankings is on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aim to achieve a sustainable future by 2030. The article also discusses the role of HEIs in advancing these goals through education, research, and community outreach.
The United Nations launched the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI), which is supported by global ranking agencies like QS and Times Higher Education. These agencies have started evaluating institutions based on their contributions to the SDGs, alongside traditional metrics like academic reputation and teaching quality.
The UI GreenMetric World University Ranking, launched in 2010, evaluates universities based on their environmental sustainability efforts. The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, launched in 2019, evaluate universities based on their contributions to the individual SDGs. The QS World University Rankings for Sustainability, introduced in 2023, evaluates universities based on environmental impact, social impact, and governance practices.
Over the last two years, the number of Indian HEIs participating in global sustainability rankings has grown significantly. The participation of Indian universities in THE Impact Ranking has more than doubled to 148 institutions, while in the case of QS Sustainability Rankings, it has grown fivefold to 77 universities.
However, the article raises concerns about the relevance of these rankings for Indian HEIs. Only one of the 17 SDGs, Quality of Education (SDG-4), is directly concerned with education. HEIs do not have an active role in either causing or controlling the rest of the sustainability issues. The article suggests that the sustainability rankings may not be evaluating the real contribution of universities to SDGs.
The article also highlights the challenges faced by Indian HEIs while participating in sustainability rankings, including the lack of robust systems to collect infrastructural data and the lack of financial resources to invest in SDG initiatives. The article suggests that the sustainability rankings need to focus more on what HEIs can contribute to SDGs, such as sustainability education, interdisciplinary research, and dissemination of knowledge.
The article concludes that the sustainability rankings can go a long way in encouraging Indian HEIs to contribute to the achievement of SDGs, but they need to focus on evaluating the knowledge contribution and impact of HEIs on society. Otherwise, the rankings may become mere numbers without a societal purpose.