YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia — State Islamic University (UIN) Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta has entered the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 for the first time, placing in the 601–800 global band among 1,603 universities assessed for their contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The result marks a significant milestone for the university and reflects its growing engagement with global sustainability initiatives through a model that combines environmental stewardship with Islamic values.

Unlike conventional university rankings that focus primarily on academic reputation and research output, THE Sustainability Impact Ratings assess how universities contribute to sustainable development through research, institutional governance, community engagement, and education.

Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, said the achievement reflected the university’s long-term commitment to sustainability.

“Alhamdulillah, this is the first time UIN Sunan Kalijaga has participated in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings and been placed directly in the 601–800 global band. This achievement is important because it demonstrates that our efforts to build a sustainable university rooted in Islamic values and ecotheology have gained recognition at the international level,” he said.

Noorhaidi said the result was the outcome of collective efforts across the institution and acknowledged the contributions of the university senate, academic staff, administrative personnel, university leaders, faculties, the Graduate School, the Institute for Research and Community Engagement (LPPM), and the university’s Rankings and SDGs team.

“This recognition is not an end in itself. Rather, it should encourage us to strengthen our contributions through education, research, community engagement, and sustainable development initiatives,” he added.

As concerns over climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation continue to grow worldwide, UIN Sunan Kalijaga has developed a distinctive approach through ecotheology, a framework that views environmental stewardship as both a moral and religious responsibility.

The approach is aligned with policies of Indonesia’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, which has identified ecotheology as one of its strategic priorities. At UIN Sunan Kalijaga, environmental sustainability is therefore framed not only as a technical issue but also as an ethical and spiritual obligation.

The university’s commitment is reflected in a range of sustainability initiatives implemented across its campuses. In recent years, UIN Sunan Kalijaga has advanced its Green Campus programme, focusing on energy efficiency, environmental management, water conservation, waste reduction, and the promotion of environmentally responsible behaviour within the academic community.

The commitment has also been extended through the development of a Forest Campus concept for the university’s second campus in Pajangan, Bantul, Yogyakarta. The project seeks to integrate educational infrastructure with environmental conservation, water resource protection, and the preservation of local cultural heritage.

The recognition from THE follows earlier achievements in sustainability assessment. In 2025, UIN Sunan Kalijaga received a 3.5 Trees Rating from the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings, an internationally recognised sustainability assessment system for higher education institutions.

The assessment evaluated six key areas: infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste management, water conservation, transportation, and education and research. The rating reflected the university’s commitment to embedding sustainability principles across its operations and academic activities.

In the same year, UIN Sunan Kalijaga was also named Indonesia’s Best New Participant in the UI GreenMetric rankings, highlighting its institutional readiness and commitment to integrating sustainability into teaching, research, community service, and governance.

For Indonesia’s State Islamic Universities (PTKIN), the achievement carries broader significance. It demonstrates that Islamic higher education institutions can contribute meaningfully to global challenges, including climate change, sustainable development, quality education, and international partnerships.

The inclusion of UIN Sunan Kalijaga in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings also suggests that Islamic universities can play an important role in addressing global issues without compromising their religious identity. Rather than serving as a constraint, Islamic values can provide a foundation for sustainability models grounded in ethics, social responsibility, and environmental stewardship.

More than a ranking position, the result reflects growing international recognition of UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s efforts to build a sustainable, inclusive, and socially responsive university. As global challenges become increasingly complex, the university aims to further develop a model of Islamic higher education that brings together knowledge, faith, and sustainability in support of future generations.