Lingnan University rises to 63rd globally in THE Sustainability Impact Ratings - Retains World No.1 in Quality Education

Lingnan University has achieved another historic milestone in the newly released Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026. Its overall ranking surged from the 101st - 200th band last year to 63rd place globally—breaking into the top 100 for the first time, and coming third of the Hong Kong SAR’s eight UGC-funded universities.

Seven Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were classed in the top 100 globally, more than doubling last year’s achievements. “SDG 4: Quality Education” has retained its position as number one worldwide, “SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities” has risen sharply from last year’s 101st - 200th band to 11th globally, “SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth” ranked 27th globally, and “SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals” came 55th globally.

Tops 6 SDGs in Hong Kong SAR, and places in the global top 100 for 7 SDGs

Prof S. Joe Qin, President and Wai Kee Kau Chair Professor of Data Science of Lingnan University, expressed his delight at Lingnan’s record rankings in so many categories of the United Nations’ 17 SDGs, and winning six “Hong Kong SAR firsts” this year. As well as “SDG 4: Quality Education”, which topped the chart, these were “SDG 1: No Poverty”, “SDG 2: Zero Hunger”, “SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth”, “SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities”, and “SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals”, all of which represent Lingnan’s recent cutting-edge breakthroughs in SDGs both internationally and locally.

THE Sustainability Impact Ratings rate universities from all over the world based on their steps toward achieving the 17 SDGs, and this year 1,646 universities from 116 countries or territories were graded. “SDG 4: Quality Education” was one of the most fiercely competitive, with 1,335 institutions contending.