Sunan Kalijaga State Islamic University was named Best New Participating University in Indonesia on Tuesday at the Awarding of the 2025 UI GreenMetric, marking a strong debut for the Yogyakarta-based institution in the country’s leading sustainability ranking.

The award was announced at a ceremony hosted by Diponegoro University in Semarang, as part of the 2025 UI GreenMetric Indonesian University Ranking. The assessment, initiated by the University of Indonesia, evaluates universities on sustainability indicators, including environmental management, research aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, and campus-wide ecological practices.

The award certificate was received by Abdul Qoyum, head of the university’s Institute for Research and Community Service. Rector Noorhaidi Hasan said the recognition reflected coordinated efforts across university leadership, faculties, and research units.

“This first participation has resulted in institutional recognition,” Hasan said, adding that the result would encourage further improvements in sustainability governance.

Trio Yonathan Teja Kusuma, coordinator of the university’s ranking and SDGs center, said the award showed that the university’s sustainability framework was moving in the right direction, despite its status as a newcomer.

This year’s UI GreenMetric ranking carried the theme “Doing Sustainable Development Goals in Higher Education: The Story of Our Institution and Society,” highlighting the role of universities in responding to environmental and social challenges.

University officials said the recognition demonstrated institutional readiness, policy consistency, and practical steps toward sustainable campus management, reflecting a growing role for Islamic higher education institutions in environmental governance.