16th Workshop of the SDG-Universities Platform

On 12 May 2022, UNU-IAS organised the 16th workshop of the SDG–Universities Platform (SDG-UP), featuring Duncan Ross (Chief Data Officer, Times Higher Education) who discussed recent trends in higher education and how universities could deepen their impact on achieving the SDGs. The online event engaged 70 participants from 29 universities across Japan.

Mr Ross noted that there were 25,000 universities worldwide with close ties to local communities and that their economic activities accounted for 1.7 per cent of the world's gross domestic product, adding that it was crucial to leverage their impact.

He explained that the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings aimed to make comparisons based on a balanced judgement of four aspects: research, stewardship (physical and human resource management), outreach, and education. Mr Ross highlighted areas in which universities could deepen their sustainability impact: (i) partnerships, (ii) openness, (iii) research, (iv) teaching, (v) community, (vi) stewardship, and (vii) focus. He expressed his hope that more universities in Japan and around the world would participate in the next round of rankings.

Shinobu Yume Yamaguchi (Director, UNU-IAS) moderated the Q&A session, followed by group discussion on the Impact Rankings 2022 and utilising external evaluation.

In closing remarks, Shunichi Murata (Advisor, SDG-UP; Kwansei Gakuin University) emphasised that the ultimate goal of the rankings was not to compete, but to use the rankings strategically and effectively to promote university reform. He pointed out that since the emergence of the Ukraine issue, understanding of Goal 16 (Peace and Justice For All) has increased in Europe and the United States, and efforts to achieve it were being strengthened at universities. Prof. Murata concluded that education on Goal 16 should be reviewed as part of the governance process in Japan.

A detailed report of this workshop is also available in Japanese.

Participating Universities

This workshop engaged 29 participating universities, which are listed below in alphabetical order.

Chiba University of Commerce

Ehime University

Hiroshima University

Hokkaido University

International Christian University

International University of Japan

Kanazawa University

Keio Gijuku University

Kitakyushu City University

Kwanseigakuin University

Kyushu Sangyo University

Nara University of Education

Notre Dame Seishin University

Ochanomizu University

Okayama University

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology

Osaka Medical and Pharmaceutical University

Osaka Metropolitan University

Osaka University

Ryukoku University

Soka University

Sophia University

Tokai University

Tokyo City University

Tokyo Institute of Technology

Tokyo University of Science

Toyo University

University of Tokyo

University of Tsukuba