A university's sustainability agenda is built through a long process. It grows out of well-directed policy, responsible resource management, facility improvements, strengthened research, and collective habits carried out consistently. This kind of cross-sector work is what brought UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta significant progress in the UI GreenMetric 2026 rankings.

The award was presented at the UI GreenMetric Indonesia 2026 Ranking Awards Ceremony, held at Grha Sabha Pramana, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, on Tuesday (9/15/2026). It was received directly by UIN Sunan Kalijaga Vice Rector for General Administration, Planning, and Finance, Prof. Mochamad Sodik, together with the Coordinator of the LPPM Rankings and SDGs Center, Dr. Ir. Trio Yonathan, and his team.

In this year's ranking, UIN Sunan Kalijaga placed 31st nationally, a leap of 26 positions compared to its 2025 ranking of 57th nationally.

Beyond the improved ranking, UIN Sunan Kalijaga also received the Trees Rating award in the 3.5–4 category, as well as a compliance award. The university was further recognized as the Indonesian University with the Best Substantive Improvement in Sustainability Performance.

These three achievements reflect different dimensions of assessment. The 31st national ranking shows UIN Sunan Kalijaga's standing relative to other universities based on overall sustainability performance. The Trees Rating reflects the maturity of the university's implementation of sustainability principles, while the compliance award reflects the university's consistency in fulfilling the assessment process and presenting verifiable supporting evidence.

The award for substantive performance improvement, meanwhile, affirms that UIN Sunan Kalijaga's rise in ranking was not merely the result of improved reporting. This progress was underpinned by real changes in governance, facilities, programs, and the involvement of the academic community in the sustainability agenda.

UI GreenMetric assesses university sustainability across a number of interconnected aspects, including campus layout and infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste management, water conservation, transportation, and education and research.

At UIN Sunan Kalijaga, this agenda has been developed through strengthened management of organic and inorganic waste, the provision of sorted waste bins, more efficient resource use, and the development of research-based innovation. A number of units have also developed participatory initiatives, such as Sedekah Sampah (Waste Donation) and environmental education programs involving students.

Sustainability has also been translated into a social dimension. The presence of the Disability Service Center and the Disability Corner in the Library, for example, has expanded access to learning resources for students with disabilities. In this way, a sustainable campus does not stop at being a green environment; it also encompasses academic spaces that can be used equally, safely, and with dignity.

The impact of this process touches directly on student life. Better-organized environmental management creates healthier, more comfortable learning spaces. Inclusive facilities broaden access to campus services, while the integration of sustainability issues into research, teaching, and community service opens opportunities for students to take part in genuinely addressing environmental and social problems.

This commitment also carries through into the development of UIN Sunan Kalijaga's Campus II in Pajangan, Bantul, which is built around the concept of a “Forest Campus.” This concept places conservation, harmony with nature, and community empowerment at the heart of the campus's development direction.

UIN Sunan Kalijaga Rector, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, expressed gratitude as well as appreciation to everyone across the university who contributed to this achievement.

“Alhamdulillah, this is a proud achievement for UIN Sunan Kalijaga and a shared accomplishment for all of us. Thank you to the Vice Rectors, bureau heads, deans, the Director of the Graduate School, heads of institutes, UPTs and units, all lecturers, administrative staff, and students who have contributed to making this achievement possible,” he said.

The Rector specifically commended the team at the Institute for Research and Community Service (LPPM) as the leading sector in the ranking process. LPPM's work connected data, programs, and sustainability practices carried out across various units, ensuring they moved in the same institutional direction.

The UI GreenMetric 2026 achievement provides a measure of the progress made so far while also setting a new foundation for UIN Sunan Kalijaga going forward. The next challenge is ensuring that every rise in ranking is genuinely reflected in the everyday life of the campus, more responsible use of energy and water, more orderly waste management, increasingly inclusive access, and learning that nurtures care for the future of the planet. (humassk)