The home of the Fiji National University – Nasinu Campus

In its fourth year of participation in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, Fiji National University (FNU) recorded an 18% improvement in 2025 compared to its performance in 2024. The University retained its nominal ranking within the 801–1000 band in 2025, despite competing against a significantly larger pool of institutions; 2,318 entrants in 2025, compared to 1,963 in 2024.

The Impact Rankings measure how institutions deliver against the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.  Institutional performance in the Impact ranking generally reflects how countries are achieving in the global SDGs that were set by the UN to measure improvement in national living standards.  As in previous years, FNU entered the competition with six SDGs, including the encompassing SDG17, which measures how an institution partners with other stakeholders in implementing its plans for sustainable development.

Professor Nii-K Plange

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of FNU, Professor Nii-K Plange, expressed gratitude for the continuous growth of FNU, as evident from its performance in the THE Impact ranking.

“This achievement in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our staff and students, who continually strive to embed sustainable development into every aspect of their work. Recognition on this global stage affirms our commitment to fostering an environment where innovation and sustainability go hand in hand,” Professor Plange explained.

“Being ranked among the world’s leading universities in terms of our contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) reinforces the vital role FNU plays in shaping a sustainable future for Fiji and the Pacific region. It inspires us to continue strengthening partnerships and developing solutions that directly benefit our communities and our nation.”

“This recognition not only highlights our progress but also energises us to pursue even greater achievements in the coming years. It underlines the importance of aligning our strategic objectives with the global agenda for sustainable development, encouraging our entire university community to remain committed to making a positive impact both locally and globally.”

FNU’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation), Professor Paul Iji, who coordinates the ranking process, was upbeat about the result.

Professor Paul Iji

“FNU is the only national university in the South Pacific region to be ranked, now four years in a row.  The THE is a pioneer in the ranking of higher education institutions, and probably the most respected in the world. We are thrilled to be ranked among the world’s best universities, and to be rated above average in that global community,” Professor Iji said.

“FNU is showing that it is capable of planning a development agenda for Fiji and can partner with the Government to implement that agenda.  Our performance indices indicate that we can move Fiji towards sustainable development, given the achievements that we recorded under the 6 SDGs that were assessed.”

“In 2024, FNU was ranked 601-800 in the crucial Partnership for the Goals (SDG17), from 2031 entrants.  This year, we dramatically improved our ranking from a larger pool of contestants, 2318, coming in at 401-600, with a score of 70.8 %.  For the first time since we entered the ranking in 2022, we were ranked clearly above the world average in six SDGs.  We achieved percentage scores of 55.9, 52.3, 60.0. 52.9. and 50.2, respectively in SDG3 (Good health and wellbeing); SDG4 (Quality Education); SDG8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth; SDG13 (Climate Action), and SDG15 (Life on Land).  The number of institutions which entered for ranking in these SDGs in 2025 increased from between 15 and 19 % when compared to 2024”, Professor Iji added.

FNU plans to enter the full international university ranking by 2030.  The University has developed and is implementing a roadmap to achieve that target.