For the third time in a row, the International University of Sarajevo (IUS) is on the prestigious world ranking list 2021, Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking, which selects and ranks the best universities in the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
The recognition of IUS as the leading university in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the implementation of SDG, by such an important institution as THE Impact Ranking, is a great recognition and reward for all the efforts that the University has invested in recent years in this area. This world award reaffirmed that IUS is a socially responsible higher education institution, which through the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals wants to contribute to positive change in society, and which, in addition to combining basic knowledge with practice, provides practical guidance and examples, encourage students to further action in society. In addition to modern student education through interdisciplinary study programs, IUS has applied UN goals to staff education, as well as the very governing structures and operational policies and decisions of the University.
There are numerous activities in the field of SDG that IUS has been working on recently: starting with involvement in several international research networks of sustainable development, through the establishment of SDG group of volunteers, composed of students and employees, introduction of targeted subjects from sustainable development in the curriculum and IUS programs, employee education, to the inclusion of SDG in strategic partnerships and documents.
SDG’s ambitious goals cover a wide range of complex social, economic and environmental challenges, and addressing them will require complete transformations in the way societies and economies function, and how man communicates with planet Earth. Education, research, innovation and leadership will be crucial in helping society address these contemporary challenges. Universities - with a broad responsibility to create and disseminate knowledge, and their significant position in society - will play a crucial role in achieving the goals of the SDG. It is likely that none of the goals of sustainable development will be achieved without the education sector.
However, for sustainable development goals to be truly successful globally, universities need to become champions of sustainable development and play a leading role in the implementation of the SDG.
IUS has shown by its example that it is the leading University in BiH. "This is just the beginning of IUS's path towards its contribution to the goals of sustainable development and the implementation of the UN Agenda 2030," the IUS management said.
For more information on IUS activities in the SDG field, please visit here.
