THE UNIVERSITY broke into the 401-600 global bracket of the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) University Sustainability Impact Ratings, improving from its 601-800 rank in the past five years.
UST improved its overall score to 66.2-73.8 in 2026 from 65.6-70.2 last year, according to figures released by the London-based THE.
The University was the top Philippine institution in terms of progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 (quality education), where it moved to the 101-200 worldwide bracket with a score of 64.2–70.3, from its previous 401-600 placement.
It also snagged the No.1 spot among Philippine schools in both SDG 9 (industry, innovation, and infrastructure) where it received a 71.9-86.7 mark, and SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), where it recorded a 67.8-77.2 rating.
The Manila campus posted its best score in SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals) landing into the 201-300 band where it recorded a 74.9-80.5 score, up from its previous 601-800 placement.
Here is how the University performed in the other SDGs:
- SDG 1 (no poverty) – 50.3-56.3 (301-400 band)
- SDG 2 (zero hunger) – 29.7-46.9 (401-600 band)
- SDG 3 (good health and well-being) – 64.5-70.3 (201-300 band)
- SDG 5 (gender equality) – 58.1-62.0 (201-300 band)
- SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation) – 38.1-51.6 (401-600 band)
- SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy) – 40.2-50.5 (401-600 band)
- SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) – 49.1-59.4 (401-600 band)
- SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities) – 37.0-48.4 (401-600 band)
- SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) – 2.5-40.1 (601-800 band)
- SDG 13 (climate action) – 45.2-53.6 (301-400 band)
- SDG 14 (life below water) – 37.5-49.0 (301-400 band)
- SDG 15 (life on land) – 47.5-57.0 (301-400 band)
- SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) – 44.0-54.1 (401-600 band)
Asst. Prof. Nestor Ong, director of the UST Office of QS/THE Rankings, said the University’s “significant leap” was attributable to an “active” evidence-based SDG framework built around five key dimensions: context, policies, partnerships, activities, and concrete evidence.
“Sustainability is no longer an afterthought; it is actively embedded into the student curriculum, course plans, and the core operations of our university-wide and college-based student organizations,” Ong told the Varsitarian.
“Ultimately, this ranking validates that our internal systems are successfully transforming sustainability from a mere policy into an active, measurable part of the Thomasian experience,” he added.
He said UST would continue to expand on its sustainability objectives using an internal national blueprint to accelerate SDG-related initiatives until 2030.
“This blueprint is being translated into a tactical Continuous Improvement Program (CIP). By aligning these specific action plans with our broader university strategic goals, we ensure that our performance will continue to progress systematically in the next ranking cycle,” Ong said.
The Philippines fielded the most number of ranked institutions at 160, up from 121 schools ranked in the previous edition.
Ateneo de Manila University emerged as the top-ranked Philippine school, with a global ranking in the 201-300 band.
Newly ranked Visayas State University gained the No. 2 spot, placing at the 301-400 bracket.
UST tied with Batangas State University, Ifugao State University, Isabela State University, Kalinga State University, Leyte Normal University, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology, and Saint Louis University in the 401-600 band.
Asia is most represented region
Asia dominated as the global leader in representation, accounting for more than half of the universities in the global ranking.
Other Asian countries followed suit with India logging 110 ranked institutions, Turkey recording 74 schools and Indonesia with 67 universities.
Five Asian Universities figured in the global top 10, with Malaysia’s Universiti Sains Malaysia being the highest ranked Asian institution at No. 5.
South Korea’s Hanyang University placed sixth overall, followed by Japan’s Hokkaido University and Malaysia’s Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, which tied for seventh place.
National Taiwan University from Taiwan rounded out the global top 10, placing tenth overall.
The United Kingdom’s University of Manchester topped the global rankings, overtaking the previous No.1 institution, Australia’s Western Sydney University, which fell to third place. Griffith University, another Australia-based school, ranked second overall.
Phil Baty, THE’s chief global affairs officer, said universities who participated in the rankings demonstrated the diversity of SDG implementation, showcasing their “commitment to sustainability” and “leadership on the sustainability agenda.”
“It is particularly exciting to see the sheer diversity of success stories when it comes to social and economic impact: this rating system proves that excellence comes in many shapes, sizes and contexts – not just from the traditionally dominant universities of the Global North,” Baty said.
Formerly known as Impact Rankings, THE Sustainability Impact Ratings ranked 1,646 universities from 116 countries on its implementation of the 17 SDGs through four core pillars: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching.
To qualify in the ranking, a university must provide data on SDG 17 and at least three other SDGs. An institution’s overall score is calculated based on its recorded score in SDG 17 (22%) and its three highest-scoring SDGs (weighted at 26% each). With reports from Amador Denzel M. Teston
