The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) as a body is interested in seeking out knowledge and inspiration for further development of both research and education, but also the daily operation of the university.
Knowledge about where to do better is important information for the entire university. It is not the ranking in itself that is the most important.
The ranking of SDU should be seen as an annual measurement, which SDU uses internally to look at the university performance and practices, but also to look outside the university, as an opportunity to learn from the good examples across the international university sector.
Ranking of academic quality
Since 2016, SDU have been actively engaged in the most recognized international rankings. This meaning SDU every year submits data to the largest academic rankings QS, THE & ARWU (read more about these in the section “Ranking types and differences”).
In addition, SDU follows the progress on the solely bibliometrical ranking from CWTS Leiden, which draws on research data from Web of Science without submissions from the universities.
Ranking of sustainability
The Executive Board of SDU decided in 2019, that the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should become central for SDU’s work as a university. This called for a fundamental transformation of SDU – one that permeated decisions taken throughout the entire organization and its activities.
SDU has therefore chosen to participate in two recognized rankings on sustainability. This includes the oldest ranking in the field from the University of Indonesia called Green Metric, as well as a newer and very wide-ranging ranking from Times Higher Education called Impact Ranking.
These two rankings focus, like the other rankings, on objectives within both education and research, but apart from that also on the policies and daily operation of universities in relation to green, environmental objectives and the wider SDG’s.