The Fiji National University (FNU) has maintained its ranking and improved its overall scores for the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) ranking.
FNU held its overall position at 801-1000 from 1,591 global institutions in 2023; compared to 801-1000 from 1,410 institutions in 2022.
The Impact rankings measure how an institution’s research, stewardship, outreach and teaching deliver against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) – a blueprint to achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.
FNU Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor, Unaisi Nabobo-Baba said THE ranking was a widely recognised and respected evaluation of universities.
“It is a milestone achievement for the University to be ranked in the Times Higher Education for the second time, and I congratulate every member of the FNU family who has been associated with this initiative,” Professor Nabobo-Baba said.
“We were ranked for the first time in 2022 and we aim to continuously improve our rankings yearly through the various sustainability projects undertaken by our community of students and staff. I have all the confidence in the colleges and the staff, who will work together to meet the UNSDGs and our future submissions.”
FNU Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Roland De Marco said that despite increased competition from an additional 10.7% of global institutions vying for 2023 THE Impact Ranking, FNU had improved its THE Impact research and overall scores.
It also held its overall rank and introduced two new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are strengths in Quality Education and Decent Work and Economic Growth.
“With the University’s commitment to Research with Real-World Impact, the University is doing its part in taking steps to address the array of sustainability challenges faced by the globe and the Pacific Islands region,” Professor De Marco said.
“This is also aligned to embedding sustainability in everything that we do, as emphasised by FNU’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan and the 2021-2026 Sustainability Plan.”
“Given that FNU was established in 2010, together with our strong commitment to sustainability and impactful research, we are proud of our 2023 THE Impact Ranking.”
The Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17) saw an improvement in its 2023 ranking of 401-600 from 1,625 institutions up from 601-800 from 1,441 institutions in 2022. Similarly, Climate Action (SDG 15) improved its score from 33.2 in 2022 to 35.1 in 2023, ranking at 401-600 from 735 institutions.
The newly introduced categories – Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG 8) and Quality Education (SDG 4) – made their debut in the 2023 ranking. SDG 8 ranked 401-600 from 960 institutions, while SDG 4 ranked 601-800 from 1,304 institutions.
“FNU experienced an improvement in its overall score to 55.3 in 2023 compared to 52.6 in 2022, which was based on its score in compulsory SDG 17 Partnership for the Goals, combined with its three best scores in SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 4 Quality Education and SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth,” Professor De Marco said.
“By comparison of 2023 to 2022, FNU generally improved its scores on research publications in SDG 17 Partnership for the Goals, SDG 3 Good Health and Well-Being, SDG 13 Climate Action and SDG 15 Life on Land”, which is a demonstration of its accomplishments in the pillar of Research with Real World Impact.
As part of the FNU’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan under Sphere 4 Global, the University will adopt a strategic approach to entering major international university rankings by 2030. This is by establishing select international teaching and research partnerships aligned to national priority areas.
FNU will measure its success via the following deliverables: