QS Sustainability and THE Impact in Sustainable University Governance

06 Feb, 2026

[Tuoi Tre Newspaper] - At the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH), sustainability rankings help measure and promote a university’s actions toward the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City: From an international benchmark to a driver of sustainable action - Photo: UEH

A reporter spoke with Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung - Interim President of UEH - to clarify how the University approaches sustainability rankings in its modern university development strategy.

Reporter: How does UEH view QS Sustainability and THE Impact Ranking within its overall university development strategy?

Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung: If QS and THE (Asia) help measure academic capacity and core governance, then QS Sustainability and THE Impact Ranking answer a bigger question: what impact is the university creating for society and a sustainable future?

UEH views sustainability rankings not as “supplementary rankings,” but as a framework for assessing the extent to which a university fulfills its social responsibility. These criteria require the University to move from commitment to action, from orientation to measurement, and from isolated activities to systematic sustainable governance.

This is reflected in recent results: the University is ranked in the Top 650 Universities in the World for Sustainability according to QS Sustainability 2025, and in the Top 301–400 Universities Contributing to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals according to THE Impact Rankings 2025.

Reporter: What is the fundamental difference between QS Sustainability and THE Impact Ranking, Sir?

Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung: Unlike QS Asia or THE Asia, which focus strongly on teaching, research, and academic reputation, QS Sustainability and THE Impact Ranking place the 17 SDGs at the center of evaluation.

Specifically, these rankings ask questions such as:

How does the university educate learners about sustainable development?
How does the university’s research contribute to social, environmental, and governance issues?
Does the university have a transparent, inclusive, and responsible governance model?
What concrete actions demonstrate the extent of its engagement with the community, local authorities, businesses, and social organizations?
In other words, these are rankings that measure real impact, not just internal capacity.

Reporter: How has UEH concretized the 17 SDGs in its teaching and research activities?

Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung: The SDGs are systematically integrated into teaching and research.

In terms of training, many programs have been designed or adjusted to integrate content on sustainable economics, environmental governance, circular economy, green finance, and ESG management, helping learners not only master specialized knowledge but also understand their role in sustainable development.

In terms of research, the number of scientific publications linked to the SDGs has steadily increased over the years, reflecting a shift toward research directions with social and policy impact. Citation indicators and FWCI show that the quality and influence of the University’s SDG-related research are increasingly recognized by the international academic community.

A university that acts for sustainability cannot do without a solid governance foundation. Criteria related to financial transparency, equality, diversity and inclusion, academic ethics, and the rights of learners and lecturers are evaluated very carefully by QS Sustainability and THE Impact Ranking.

UEH has issued many policies related to sustainable governance; however, these rankings also help us see areas that still need improvement, especially system coherence, integration, and the ability to measure policy outcomes. This is precisely the motivation for the University to shift from managing by individual areas to comprehensive sustainable governance.

Reporter: How are the community and external partners reflected in sustainability rankings?

Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung: One very distinctive feature of QS Sustainability and THE Impact Ranking is that they assess the university’s engagement with society. Criteria related to cooperation with local authorities, businesses, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and community service programs are considered important measures.

This is both a strength and a challenge. UEH has a strong tradition in policy consulting, community service, and business engagement, but sustainability rankings place higher demands on scale, continuity, and the ability to demonstrate impact. This encourages the University to standardize, systematize, and expand community action programs in the future.

Reporter: From a governance perspective, what value do sustainability rankings bring to the University?

Assoc. Prof. Bui Quang Hung: The greatest value of QS Sustainability and THE Impact Ranking is not the ranking itself, but the positive pressure for improvement they create. The criteria force universities to ask: are our activities truly generating long-term value for society?

For UEH, these rankings are a self-reflection tool that helps connect the University’s development strategy with national and global sustainable development goals. Any ranking achievement, if it comes, will be the result of a persistent, consistent, and responsible process of action.

Source: Tuoi Tre Newspaper