PolyU has made notable strides in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2025, climbing 21 positions to secure 56th place globally, up from 77th last year. This impressive result, which places the University second in Hong Kong, acknowledges the University’s steadfast commitment to fostering sustainable development.

The THE Impact Rankings assessed 2,526 universities from 130 countries and territories on their contributions to the United Nations’ (UN) 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in four areas: research, stewardship, outreach, and teaching.  PolyU has demonstrated outstanding performance in multiple indicators, ranking first among local universities and 16th globally for “Good Health and Well-being” (SDG 3), and third in Hong Kong and 10th globally for “Quality Education” (SDG 4). 

PolyU also performed exceptionally well in “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure” (SDG 9) and “Sustainable Cities and Communities” (SDG 11), as well as in “Responsible Consumption and Production” (SDG 12) and “Partnerships for the Goals” (SDG 17), ranking second and third in Hong Kong respectively.

Professor Jin-Guang Teng, PolyU President, said, “We are pleased with PolyU’s impressive results in THE Impact Rankings, which affirm the University’s internationally recognised efforts in promoting sustainable development.”

As an innovative world-class university, PolyU is dedicated to leveraging its excellence in education, research, and knowledge transfer to support the UN’s SDGs. The PolyU Policy Research Centre for Innovation and Technology (PReCIT) provides strategic advice for promoting carbon neutral cities, and the Campus Carbon Neutrality Committee has established a roadmap to achieve campus carbon neutrality by 2045.

Additionally, research institutes and centres under the PolyU Academy for Interdisciplinary Research (PAIR) are advancing innovative research in fields including sustainable urban development, smart city, and mental health. As the first local university to integrate Service-Learning into its undergraduate curriculum, PolyU encourages students to apply their knowledge for societal benefit, fostering socially responsible professionals and leaders with a strong sense of national pride and a global perspective.

Collaborating for a greener future

Further demonstrating its commitment to sustainability, PolyU served as the Asia-Pacific co-host of the THE Global Sustainable Development Congress 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey, gathering over 5,000 scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss strategies for achieving the SDGs.

Led by Professor Wing-tak Wong, PolyU Deputy President and Provost, a delegation from PolyU participated in panel discussions, emphasising the role of universities in advancing the SDGs and the impact of AI on sustainable development. They highlighted PolyU’s contributions to knowledge transfer and its support for startups.

The University also presented groundbreaking research in deep space exploration, sustainable manufacturing, new materials and energy, and optometry. Notable innovations included a surface sampling and packing system for China’s lunar mission, an energy-efficient cooling system for data centres, a next-generation composite for lithium-ion batteries, and lenses designed to slow myopia progression in children.

A delegation from PolyU attended the GSDC 2025, sharing insights for sustainable development.