Ajou University was ranked among the top 101 to 200 universities for two consecutive years in the 2023 THE Impact Rankings published by Times Higher Education (THE), a UK global university assessment institution. Ajou University ranked fourth among the domestic universities that were assessed. 

THE announced the results of the 2023 THE Impact Rankings for 1,591 universities from 112 countries. This year’s rankings are the fifth edition, with a focus on universities’ social responsibility as a major assessment criterion. 

The impact rankings evaluate the efforts of universities to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were published by the United Nations in 2015. The SDGs comprise 169 targets across 17 goals in five categories—people, prosperity, planet, peace, and partnership—which are based on the aspirations of humanity as a whole. The SDGs were included in the required assessment items for the University Innovation Support Project (2022-2024) of the Ministry of Education, showing that the SDGs are being used as a standard for strengthening the social role of universities.

Repeating its performance of last year, Ajou University was once again ranked among the top 101 to 200 universities this year. It ranked fourth among domestic universities participating in the assessment, rising by two places from sixth last year.

The overall rankings are determined by summing the scores in SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and the three highest scores among the remaining 16 SDGs. Ajou University was in the top 100 for two of the SDGs, receiving favorable assessments for SDG 1 (No Poverty, 52nd), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 88th), and SDG 4 (Quality Education, 101-200th). 

In SDG 1 (No Poverty), Ajou University was ranked 52nd, showing recognition of the validity of its programs and policy proposals to end poverty in communities and around the world. 

In addition, in SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), where the university ranked in 101 to 200th, Ajou was at the top in Korea, along with Kyung Hee University and Kyungpook National University. The assessment measures research on social inequality, recruitment of employees and students from among socially-disadvantaged groups, and proportion of students from emerging countries. 

Ajou University installed the Ajou Sustainable Development Goals Center in 2020 and has integrated the pursuit of the SDGs into its development plan. The center is dedicated to promoting the SDGs through the operation of a sustainable development leader training course, implementation of “Paran Semester” projects, publication of Ajou Sustainable Development Reports, and conducting of the Ajou Eco Challenge campaign.

In addition, in the first semester of this year, Ajou University opened the D[KH1]epartment of Convergence ESG in the Graduate School of Engineering to cultivate convergence experts capable of generating environmental, social, and governance value through engineering. 

Meanwhile, in the 2023 impact rankings, universities dedicated to the economy, society, environmental preservation, and universal welfare were ranked higher. The overall ranking was led by Australia’s Western Sydney University. Among Korean universities, Yonsei University (14th), Kyung Hee University (42nd), and Kyungpook National University (42nd) were among the top 100 universities.