UCT’s sustainability impact ranking reflects our commitment

Dear colleagues and students

The latest Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings, released on Thursday, 25 June 2026, provide welcome recognition of something that many of us witness every day across our university: that the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) research, teaching, partnerships and engagement continue to make a meaningful contribution in addressing some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

UCT has once again been recognised among the world’s leading universities for sustainable development, placing at 102nd globally and achieving nine top 100 performances across the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our strongest performance was a remarkable eighth place globally for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, reflecting the importance of collaboration in tackling complex societal challenges.

I am proud to see South African universities continuing to distinguish themselves on the global stage. The excellent performances of the University of Johannesburg, tied 39th globally, and the University of Pretoria, tied 78th, reflect the strength of our higher education sector and its collective contribution to creating a more sustainable and equitable future.

The 2026 rankings result from work completed in 2024. Some of UCT’s achievements and engagements under SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, were highlighted for assessment by the rankings:

• relationships with regional NGOs and government for SDG policy
• international collaboration in data gathering
• cross-sectoral dialogue about SDGs
• commitment to offering education on sustainability both within UCT and in the wider community

While rankings are never an end in themselves, they do provide an opportunity to reflect on the role universities play in society. Unlike traditional rankings that focus primarily on academic reputation or research output, the THE Sustainability Impact Rankings assess how universities contribute to improving lives through their research, teaching, stewardship and engagement with communities. They recognise institutions that are helping to build healthier, more equitable and more sustainable societies. These results affirm that UCT’s work continues to have impact far beyond our campuses.

Our achievements span the full breadth of sustainable development. We ranked first in Africa for SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and first in South Africa for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 15 (Life on Land), while our global top 10 performance for partnerships demonstrates the value of working across disciplines, sectors and borders to address shared challenges.

Importantly, our progress extends across the social, economic, environmental and governance dimensions of sustainable development. We improved our performance in 11 of the 16 SDGs for which UCT submitted evidence, demonstrating that this impact is broad-based rather than confined to a small number of areas. The following SDGs were rated in the top 50 worldwide:

These achievements are significant because they reflect work that is deeply rooted in African priorities.

Across our university, colleagues and students are generating knowledge that responds to challenges facing South Africa and the continent, while contributing to global conversations on sustainability, public health, climate resilience, biodiversity, inequality, governance and inclusive development. This is aligned with the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which recognises universities as important partners in shaping Africa’s future. UCT’s 2024 Sustainability Report reflects on many of these initiatives.

None of this happens by chance. These results are the product of sustained commitment across every faculty, department and unit. They reflect excellence in research and teaching, but equally the partnerships we have built with governments, industry, civil society, communities and fellow universities.

As we prepare to convene higher education leaders from around the world to Cape Town later this year for the Times Higher Education World Academic Summit, these rankings reinforce UCT’s position as a globally connected African university – one that is contributing knowledge, leadership and practical solutions to challenges that affect us all.

I would like to thank every member of our university community whose work contributes to this achievement. Whether through research, teaching, professional support, innovation, public engagement or community partnerships, each of you help advance UCT’s mission to serve society through excellence.

Together, we continue to demonstrate that the true measure of a university lies not only in the knowledge it creates, but in the positive difference that knowledge makes – for our communities, our continent and the world.

Sincerely

Professor Mosa Moshabela
Vice-Chancellor

Read previous communications:

• From the UCT Executive
• Campus Announcements