Results of the world’s most prestigious ranking – THE: University of Mostar ranked in all 17 UN SDGs and among the Top 2.5% of Universities worldwide

The University of Mostar has once again achieved outstanding global success — this year, it ranked among the top 2.5% of universities worldwide according to the latest results of the world’s most prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. A significant milestone was achieved with the University being ranked for the first time in all 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), securing a complete and comprehensive presence on the global Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. Particularly noteworthy is the University's remarkable performance in SDG 5 – Gender Equality, where it ranked among the top 200 universities globally.

On this year’s THE Impact Rankings, published during the Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025 in Istanbul, the University of Mostar retained a high position in the 601st–800th bracket among the 2,318 institutions that made it onto this prestigious list — out of approximately 30,000 universities worldwide. THE Impact Rankings is regarded as one of the most prestigious global rankings and is the only international system that evaluates universities based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. The University of Mostar’s results this year reaffirm its consistency in excellence, international recognition, and strategic investment in academic and research quality.

“Being ranked in all 17 Sustainable Development Goals in this year’s Impact Rankings is a clear example of academic triumph and a strategically integrated achievement in the international academic arena. This result confirms the University’s commitment to sustainability, social responsibility, and excellence, and reflects the coordinated and systematic efforts of all university units under the guidance of the Ranking Office. Such success indicates that the University, with perseverance and vision, has the potential to ascend to the level of Europe’s and the world’s most recognized academic institutions — where it rightfully belongs,” stated Tonina Ibrulj, Head of the International Ranking Office at the University of Mostar.

Especially impressive is the significant leap in SDG 5 – Gender Equality, where the University of Mostar ranked between 101st and 200th place worldwide, among over 2,000 ranked institutions. This is one of the highest individual results achieved by the University in global rankings. This position places the University among the world’s most eminent institutions making concrete, measurable, and proven contributions in the area of gender equality. Such recognition affirms the University's strategic and systematic dedication to building an inclusive and equitable academic environment and its tangible societal impact in promoting equality and empowering all community members, regardless of gender.

Significant progress was also made in SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being, with a ranking between 401st and 600th place, while notable results were achieved in SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities, SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities, and SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production, all within the 401st–600th range.

While positions in most other SDGs were retained, the most significant qualitative breakthrough this year is the fact that the University of Mostar, for the first time in its history, was successfully ranked in all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. This comprehensive presence places the University among a small number of higher education institutions worldwide demonstrating versatility, systematic engagement, and deep commitment to all dimensions of sustainable development — from education and research to institutional governance and social impact.

This remarkable success was achieved through months of intensive and strategically coordinated work by the International Ranking Office, which meticulously prepared extensive documentation for all 17 goals, 169 targets, and 236 indicators, following the strictly defined and internationally recognized THE methodology. The process included collecting verified evidence, scientific publications, and measurable data, all of which underwent rigorous validation and confirmed that the University meets the highest global standards of quality and responsibility.

The University of Mostar thus remains the only public university from Bosnia and Herzegovina on this prestigious ranking and continues to be among the most successful institutions in the region. Alongside the University of Mostar, the THE Impact Rankings also include Croatian universities — University of Split (201st–300th), University of Rijeka (301st–400th), University North (401st–600th), University of Dubrovnik (1001st–1500th), and University of Zagreb (1001st–1500th).

Since 2019, the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings have been the only global rankings that measure universities' impact based on the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. The ranking is based on four categories: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching, with particular emphasis on scientific publications, transparency, and evidence of institutional contribution. The overall score is calculated by combining the results of the three highest-ranking SDGs plus the mandatory SDG 17.

Ranking on the THE Impact Rankings is not just a prestigious acknowledgment but a relevant international indicator that clearly signals to the global academic community where the University of Mostar stands among other renowned universities. The high and stable positions achieved by the University in various SDGs — especially those with a strong social impact, such as gender equality, health, and inequality reduction — testify to its institutional quality, strategic focus, and real societal contribution. The THE ranking also enhances the University’s international visibility, serves as a self-assessment and development tool, and affirms its competitiveness and relevance in the global educational landscape.

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