University of Bayreuth, Press Release Nr. 062/2022 - 29 April 2022

THE Impact Rankings 2022: University of Bayreuth among the top ten percent in the "Innovation" category

In its Agenda 2030, the United Nations adopted 17 globally binding goals for sustainable development, including innovation-driven sustainability in industry and infrastructure. The University of Bayreuth is among the top ten percent of higher education institutions worldwide based on its contributions to the implementation of this goal. This is evidenced by the Impact Rankings 2022, which have now been published by Times Higher Education (THE). The University of Bayreuth also achieved very good ratings in other categories. A total of 1,406 universities participated in the ranking, almost 300 more than in the previous year.

Published annually by THE since 2019, the Impact Rankings is an international comparison of higher education institutions that specifically references the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals aim to promote sustainable development worldwide in economic, social, and environmental terms. Universities are evaluated according to how much they contribute to the realisation of these goals through research projects, study programmes, industry collaborations, and knowledge transfer to general society. The University of Bayreuth participated in this ranking for the first time in 2022 and immediately achieved 3rd place among the German universities listed in the ranking.

The Campus of the University of Bayreuth

UBT.

Innovations for industry and infrastructure
The University of Bayreuth's contributions to promoting the sustainability goal "Innovation" are considered particularly strong. SDG 9 "Industries, Innovation, and Infrastructure" promotes sustainable industries driven by new technology, global trade, and efficient use of resources. Innovation has a key role in this. Due to its contributions to the implementation of this goal, the University of Bayreuth is listed in the top ten percent of all universities worldwide in the new THE Impact Ranking. In particular, it performs excellently in terms of industrial collaborations, which lead to high revenues from third-party funding, patents and spin-offs. For several years, it has been working with stakeholders from the region in "forum1.5" on innovative concepts and processes to ensure that economic activity serves the common good, creates sustainable prosperity, and conserves natural resources. The Institute for Entrepreneurship & Innovation strengthens local and national industry and infrastructure, particularly through research transfer and the promotion of start-ups.

High quality education
The University of Bayreuth also achieves very good results in the "Education" category. Here, it ranks among the top 20 percent of universities worldwide. SDG 4 "Quality Education" is about ensuring that all people, regardless of their social status, have the opportunity to receive a high-quality and inclusive education. Beyond the University of Bayreuth's research achievements, THE Impact Ranking explicitly mentions the comparatively high number of students from families that previously have had no access to university education, as well as the offerings for professional development and lifelong learning. In these areas, the Campus Academy of the University of Bayreuth has developed a wide range of programmes and events for continuing education. The Quoro project supports the idea of an "open university", and the Digital Transformation Workshop enables employees and managers from companies to acquire practical skills flexibly in terms of time and location.

Sustainability on the campus of the University of Bayreuth
The University of Bayreuth is listed in the top third of universities worldwide for two other sustainability goals. Firstly, SDG 5 "Gender Equality" calls for comprehensive equality for women and girls. The University of Bayreuth makes important contributions to this with its admission and mentoring programs for women, target group-specific anti-discrimination guidelines, and measures to reconcile family and career. Secondly, SDG 11 "Sustainable cities and communities" focuses on making cities and communities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. This is where the "Third Mission" of the University of Bayreuth comes in, which specifically promotes mutual exchange with the surrounding economy, science, culture, society, and government in its own regional environment.

"Sustainability on a global scale, but also in our own region, is a ground-breaking principle for the University of Bayreuth, which we are seeking to promote comprehensively with interdisciplinary research projects and novel courses of study, in cooperation with industry and small and medium-sized enterprises, and equally in dialogue with various social stakeholders. The new THE Impact Rankings shows that with these diverse initiatives, the University of Bayreuth stands out in a nationwide comparison of universities. In a global comparison, our strategy of advancing sustainability in all areas of 'innovation' and 'education' is proving its worth. Last but not least, we are also determined to make our own university operations increasingly sustainable. I fact, our 'GreenCampus' initiative bundles all activities related to sustainability. The ranking results now published are therefore an incentive for us to continue on this path with renewed commitment and in close cooperation with all members of our university family," says Prof. Dr. Susanne Tittlbach, Vice President of the University of Bayreuth for Digitization, Innovation & Sustainability.

Further information:
Study sustainability at the University of Bayreuth:
https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/en/greenstudies

The Sustainability Strategy of the University of Bayreuth:
https://www.uni-bayreuth.de/nachhaltigkeitsstrategie

The University of Bayreuth: a sustainable campus:
https://www.greencampus.uni-bayreuth.de/en/