A top partner for impact

UTS has been ranked 3rd in the world, and 1st in Australia, in building partnerships that support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) in the 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

The standout result recognises UTS's efforts to forge international partnerships with governments, businesses and non-government organisations that lead to better technology, finance and policy outcomes towards the goals.

Overall, UTS was placed 33rd in the world and 8th in Australia in the global impact rankings which now track more than 2,300 universities in 120 countries pursuing the SDGs.

UTS also placed in the top 50 universities globally in progress across four other SDGs: responsible consumption and production (19th), climate action (39th), decent work and economic growth (39th), and clean water and sanitation (49th).

Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Andrew Parfitt, said the rankings demonstrate the many ways UTS is driving social and environmental impact in local communities, across Australia and around the world.

“As universities globally turn their attention to sustainability and social impact, the impact rankings has seen a significant increase in the number of participants, demonstrating the enormous capacity universities have to effect change for their communities,” Professor Parfitt said.

“Our world-leading result in the ‘partnerships for the goals’ category reflects our deep commitment to building strong collaborations with industry, government and community."

"Meaningful progress happens when we work with our partners – to create a more inclusive society today and a more sustainable environment for future generations.”

Some of the standout initiatives highlighted in the rankings result included:

• Research to support better water, sanitation and hygiene policy and practice in Asia and the Pacific by engaging with the non-government organisations and the private sector across the region. 
• Active participation in the Adaptation Research Network to develop solutions and knowledge in response to climate disasters as part of the Living Lab Northern Rivers. 
• Evaluation of the TransformAid International integration of climate change and disaster risk reduction into their programs to reduce poverty and injustice worldwide.