The Fiji National University (FNU) maintained its nominal ranking of 801-1000 in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) ranking.
However, this represents a 23% improvement in ranking, noting that over 2,150 institutions participated in the rankings in 2024, out of which 1963 were fully assessed, as against 1591 institutions in 2023.
FNU has made a steady improvement in the rankings since it started participating in 2022, when only 1410 institutions were assessed.
The Impact rankings measure how an institution’s research, stewardship, outreach and teaching deliver against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) – a blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all.
The Vice-Chancellor of FNU, Professor Unaisi Nabobo-Baba, was thrilled to receive the good news when the rankings were released just before mid-June.
“Our strong performance in the Times Higher Education ranking reflects our commitment to research that addresses the challenges outlined in the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals,” Professor Nabobo-Baba said.
“Our ranking in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings is a testament to the dedication of our faculty and students in tackling the world’s most pressing issues as defined by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“The Times Higher Education ranking validates our commitment to research that drives progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This recognition inspires us to continue making a difference.”
FNU’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation, Professor Paul Iji, who led the FNU drive in this year’s application for ranking, expressed satisfaction with the performance, noting that FNU entered this year’s event in the midst of changes to its leadership.
“Our colleges have enthusiastically supported the University’s entry and continue to provide more quality evidence on time for the process. This is not evidence of old work but increased drive to improve our delivery towards meeting the SDGs for Fiji,” Professor Iji said.
“FNU is working more towards improving conditions for Fiji and the Pacific region, as encapsulated in its new priority area 1 of the 2024-26 Strategic Plan, which focuses on inclusiveness and diversity of the people, places and cultures of the region.”
“FNU was ranked 601-800 in the crucial Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17), from 2031 entrants in 2024. This is a major improvement compared to the same ranking from 1,441 institutions in 2022. Similarly, our score for Climate Action (SDG 13) has steadily grown from 33.2 in 2022 to 35.1 in 2023 and 41.0 in 2024. FNU ranked at 401-600 from 735 institutions in 2023 but ranked in the same range from 924 institutions in 2024, a 26 % improvement in ranking.”
FNU first assessed itself against SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) in 2023. This year, FNU was ranked at 601-800 out of 1681 entrants and 401-600 out of 1149 entrants for SDG4 and SDG8, respectively. This, too, represented an improvement for SDG4 when compared to our ranking out of a smaller number of institutions in 2023.
“It is an impressive growth for FNU when we look at our score for the compulsory SDG 17 Partnership for the Goals, in which we scored 66.7 in 2024, as against 52.6 in 2022 and 55.3 in 2023. In addition to SDG17, we also scored highly in SDG3 (Good Health and Well-Being) and SDG8 Decent Work and Economic Growth at 74.0 and 60.9, respectively,” Professor Iji said.
The University remains on track to enter the full international university ranking by 2030.