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TimesLIVE
9 hours ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
UJ ranked best university in sustainable development in Africa
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has been ranked as the best university in sustainable development in Africa and 23rd in the world. This is according to the 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ratings, which assess universities against the UN's sustainable development goals (SDGs). Western Sydney University in Australia was ranked number one in the world for four consecutive years, followed by Manchester University. The University of Pretoria came in at number 63 in the world. UJ is now ranked among the top 30 universities in the world out of 2,318 institutions evaluated. It ranked in the global top 100 for ten SDGs, with three in the top 10. This includes ranking number two in the world for SDG 1 (no poverty); number four for SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth); and number four for SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). UJ vice-chancellor and principal Prof Letlhokwa Mpedi said this was a testament to the university's commitment to reimagining higher education as a driver of change. 'These results not only underscore UJ's steadfast commitment to sustainable development, equity and impactful partnerships but also highlight the university's growing influence in tackling global challenges through research, teaching and community engagement,' Mpedi said. 'Our ranking reflects the focused efforts driven by our strategic plan 2035, which is built on three key pillars: societal impact and sustainability, global footprint and partnerships, and technology for the future. These pillars guide our trajectory over the next decade and underpin our dedication to creating a more just, equitable and sustainable future for all.' In a separate global ranking, the university was named the third best university in South Africa after the University of Cape Town (UCT) and the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). 'Together, the two results signal UJ's rising reputation and consistent excellence across multiple global performance metrics.'
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
USM, UM among world's top for SDG impact
PETALING JAYA: Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has emerged as Malaysia's highest-ranked institution in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2025. It sits in joint 14th position with National Taiwan University in the overall ranking, up from 18th place last year. Coming in second is Universiti Malaya (UM), at joint 25th position with King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Saudi Arabia. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Sunway University are the other two Malaysian universities that made their way into the top 100 of the rankings. UKM climbed to joint 53rd while Sunway University ranks 81st, up from the 201–300 band. Malaysia tops three of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with USM taking first place for SDG 1 (no poverty), SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions), and joint first with UM for SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals). In addition, UM leads the Asia region in sixth place for SDG 14 (life below water), and ranks joint seventh globally for SDG 11 (sustainable cities and communities), and 12th for SDG 15 (life on land). Other Malaysian universities also stood out in individual categories. Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) ranks 18th for SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy), while Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) achieved 41st place for SDG 10 (reduced inequalities). Additionally, UKM earned 26th position for SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production). The seventh edition of the University Impact Rankings was released on Wednesday (June 18) by THE, publisher of the globally recognised THE World University Rankings. The rankings are the only global performance tables that assess universities against the UN SDGs across four broad areas - research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. Universities are ranked across 18 tables: one overall ranking and 17 tables representing each individual SDG. A record 2,526 universities ranked globally from 130 countries, with Asian universities claiming more than half of the rankings for the first time. THE chief global affairs officer Phil Baty said: "Universities worldwide are stepping up to help the world take on its most pressing grand challenges, from the climate crisis to delivering economic growth to supporting peace and justice across the world. "Asia is leading the way on the sustainability agenda. "Asia's clear dominance of the rankings in terms of overall representation, and so many outstanding individual university performances including several world number-one positions for individual SDGs, shows that when it comes to universities' social and economic impact, the world will increasingly look to Asia." For more information, visit
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Cleaner fuel push in rural India needs more energy
Women's access to clean energy and gender equality are intrinsically related, as transition to clean energy provides greater opportunities for women to improve their economic and physical well-being. The gender-energy nexus is central to the framework of the global sustainable development goals, notably those linked to poverty (SDG 1), health and well-being (SDG 3), education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), climate change (SGD 13), and most importantly, affordable and clean energy (SDG 7)—for the promotion of gender equality. Yet, 2.4 billion people globally lack access to clean energy for cooking and rely on wood, charcoal, coal, animal waste, etc, as highlighted by a 2023 UN Women report titled 'Gender equality in the sustainable energy transition.' Women bear a substantial burden of this energy poverty, which is inextricably linked to other time and labour-consuming activities, as well as their safety. Indoor air pollution (IAP), a major contributor to environmental pollution, disproportionately affects women and children due to their greater exposure to such environments. The World Health Organization reported 3.2 million deaths per year due to IAP in 2020. In India, the number stands at 5,00,000 deaths per year, with women and children making up a significant proportion of the number both globally and in India. Further, women spend a considerable amount of their time on unpaid and care work, including time spent in forest and firewood collection across different geographical regions, which limits their employment opportunities. The Time Use Survey, 2024 released recently by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI),reported the amount of time spent in unpaid domestic activities by women has reduced from 315 minutes in per day 2019 to 305 minutes in 2024. A total of 140 minutes per day was spent on caregiving activities in 2024. The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has the potential to be a significant game changer in reducing women's time spent on unpaid and care work, and in ameliorating health inequities.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
International Tea Day 2025: Know the date, history, theme and significance
Tea, produced from the Camellia sinensis plant, is the world's most popular drink after water. While the precise location of the tea plant's growth is uncertain, it is generally believed that tea originated in northeast India, north Myanmar, and southwest China, according to UN. The General Assembly decided to designate May 21 as International Tea Day, reiterating the Intergovernmental Group on Tea's call to focus more on increasing demand, particularly in tea-producing countries. This year, it will be held on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, on the theme, Tea for Better Lives, highlighting tea's contribution to livelihoods, sustainability, and health. Tea cultivation and processing enable the alleviation of extreme poverty (SDG 1), combat hunger (SDG 2), empower women (SDG 5), and ensure the long-term use of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15). 🍵 Tea is more than a drink. It's a culture, a way of life. In the tea sector, women play a vital role, which should be acknowledged. On #InternationalTeaDay, let's explore, inspire and inform so that new opportunities for women-owned businesses can be developed. — Food and Agriculture Organization (@FAO) May 19, 2025 International Tea Day aims to promote and strengthen collective measures to execute activities that support the sustainable production and consumption of tea. This day provides an opportunity to honour tea's cultural heritage, health advantages, and economic significance while striving to ensure its production is sustainable 'from field to cup' to ensure it benefits people, cultures, and the environment for generations.
Morocco World
15-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
IFAD Issues $150 Million Bond to Bank Al-Maghrib to Fund Food Security Projects
Rabat – The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Bank Al-Maghrib, Morocco's central bank, have renewed their partnership to help improve food security and support rural communities around the world. As part of this collaboration, IFAD issued a $150 million sustainable bond with a 10-year term, purchased by Bank Al-Maghrib. This is the second time the bank has invested in IFAD's bond program. The first partnership was in July 2024, when the bank invested €100 million to support IFAD's development efforts for 2025. 'Having the Bank Al Maghrib as a repeat investor makes us particularly proud,' said Natalia Toschi, Head of Funding at IFAD, in a press statement. 'It shows the value of long-term relationships for IFAD's global mission that is more than ever important to build a better and more stable world,' she added. The money raised will go towards IFAD's work to support rural communities by helping small-scale farmers improve their incomes, food security, and resilience. These investments will also support projects that promote sustainable development and fight poverty and hunger. Donal Brown, Associate Vice-President of IFAD's Country Operations Department, recalled the strong ties between Morocco and the organization: 'This renewed collaboration builds on IFAD's longstanding relationship with Morocco, a cornerstone of its portfolio for over four decades.' Brown added that Morocco stands out for the scale of its engagement and 'visionary leadership' in rural development, climate resilience, and agricultural transformation. Since 1979, IFAD and Morocco have invested more than $1.7 billion in 16 projects across the country, reaching over 700,000 rural households. The current projects, worth $250 million, are aligned with Morocco's 'Génération Green 2020–2030' strategy and focus on supporting women and young people in mountain regions, said IFAD in a statement. These initiatives are needed more than ever, as IFAD notes that 3 billion people live in rural areas in developing countries worldwide. Many of them are small-scale farmers who produce one-third of the world's food, yet still face poverty and hunger. Around 730 million people today suffer from hunger, nearly 1 in every 11 people. IFAD believes that investing in rural areas is key to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Tags: BAMeconomyfood security
