UWI gets a 100% global ranking

The UWI Regional Headquarters, Jamaica W.I. Thursday, June 20, 2024—The University of the West Indies’ (The UWI) strategy of focusing on the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in building out its academic reputation and global research profile has produced a perfect score in the latest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. Over the past decade, the University has strategically established joint global centres and initiatives with other respected universities to provide advocacy and development outcomes around sustainable development. Impressively, within THE's series of metrics used to evaluate the performance of the individual SDGs, The UWI earned a perfect score of 100% for its relationships to support the goals in pursuit of SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles responded to Times Higher Education’s report, saying, “Our vision for The UWI requires the implementation of multiple strategies, and we are very proud that the work of our faculties in particular has won the recognition of the global university environment. This is a great moment for The UWI”.

THE’s Impact Rankings identify and celebrate universities that excel in advancing multiple SDGs, evaluating their research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching. The UWI also earned notably high scores in collaborations and health services in assessing SDG 3: Good Health and Well Being; for its proportion of women receiving degrees in assessing SDG 5: Gender Equality, for environmental education measures as part of its Climate Action (SDG 13) and Research into partnerships for the goals under SDG 17.

This timely recognition by the Times Higher Education ushers the launch of The UWI's International School for Development Justice (ISDJ) scheduled later this year.

A significant milestone in the University's journey towards advancing sustainable development, this unique school for the SDGs is a response to the global need for education that equips current and future activists and leaders with the knowledge and skills to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The school combines The UWI's two decades of experience and excellence in online education with its steadfast commitment to the SDGs, making it a pioneering institution in this field.

This is The UWI's fifth consecutive year participating in the prestigious global impact rankings. Although the University has consistently been ranked among the best in the world by THE, recognition in this niche area of SDG impact is significant as it acknowledges the intentional generation and dissemination of knowledge to support various UN goals as part of The UWI's strategic plan.

About The University of the West Indies

The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development, residing at the center of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for over 75 years. From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Global Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and the wider world.

The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). Since The UWI’s 2018 debut in THE’s rankings, it has performed well in multiple schemes—among them including World University Rankings, Golden Age University Rankings (between 50 and 80 years old), Latin America Rankings, and the Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

Learn more at www.uwi.edu.