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Campuses are small models of our living spaces. Together with the world, we are looking for solutions on our campus for the construction of more sustainable systems. Join us! 

 

What is Sustainability?

Sustainability can be defined as the development that can be realized by meeting the needs of the present generation while anticipating and respecting the needs of future generations.

Why Is Sustainability Important?

Although there are more than hundred countries in the world that are looking for the ways to meet the requirements for their development, concrete efforts should be made to ensure that today's development does not adversely affect the future generations with the increasing threat of climate change. The Sustainable Development Goals provide a framework for improving the lives of populations around the world and reducing the hazardous man-made effects of climate change. In short, sustainability aims to protect our natural environment, human and ecological health while promoting the innovation and without compromising our lifestyle. For this reason, it is of great importance.

ITU is the 34th in THE Impact 2024 Rankings

by İlker Yazar | Jun 14, 2024
According to the results of Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 Impact Rankings, which evaluates the success of universities around the world in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ITU became the 34th best university in the world and ranked 1st in Türkiye.

According to the results of Times Higher Education (THE) 2024 Impact Rankings, which evaluates the success of universities around the world in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ITU became the 34th best university in the world and ranked 1st in Türkiye.

Istanbul Technical University (ITU), which declared 2024 as the Year of Global Impact, achieved great success in the 2024 results of the ranking by Times Higher Education (THE) based on the Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations (UN) as a solution to the seventeen main problems of the world.

Significant rise in the overall ranking

Istanbul Technical University ranked 34th among 1963 universities in the overall ranking according to THE 2024 Impact Rankings results and also ranked first in Türkiye.

ITU has reached this point by rising steadily from the 601+ levels it was at in 2020, with its sustainability efforts. Our university ranked in the 101-200 range in 2021 and 2022, and ranked 58th last year; with its comprehensive sustainability efforts, it managed to become the 34th best university in the world in this field in 2024.

Our Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Koyuncu commented on the results of THE 2024 Impact Rankings as follows: “ITU’s rise in many areas in the last 4 years is not only the product of great effort, but also a clear reflection of the importance we attach to sustainability as an institution. The ranking results continue to reveal the global reputation of our university. With the awareness of our goal of getting closer to the top every year, we work hard as the whole ITU Family, together with our academics, students, graduates, staff and all our stakeholders. I would like to thank all ITU members who contributed to this achievement.”

ITU is in the top 5 in the world in “Quality Education”

Istanbul Technical University rose to the 5th place this year from the 10th place last year in the 4th Goal, “Quality Education”, according to the results of THE 2024 Impact Rankings. Our university ranked 25th in the world in the 9th Goal, “Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure”. ITU also rose to the 34th place in the 15th Goal, “Life on Land”, from its 99th place last year, and ranked 51st in the 8th Goal, “Decent Work and Economic Growth”. Thus, Istanbul Technical University achieved great success by ranking in the top 100 in four goals.

ITU maintains its superiority in the rankings with increasing momentum, despite the increase in the number of universities included in the rankings every year.

ITU, which ranks 5th among 1681 universities in the world in terms of "Quality Education'', also has intensive work in the field of sustainable education. Micro-CredentialMasterbee and EELISA joint training activities are some of them. In addition, sustainability training open to the public is also provided by ITU SEM.

About UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals set by the United Nations (UN) in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development involve objectives in the fundamental areas. These goals are no poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation and infrastructure; reduced inequalities; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace, justice and strong institutions; partnerships for the goals.

UN aims to make significant progress in these goals by 2030. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) supports governments to integrate the 17 goals into their own development plans and policies.

What Can You Do for Sustainability?

Academics

EELISA, with ITU being one of its 9 partners, produces solutions for real-life problems and sustainable development goals with the communities it creates by bringing together academicians, students and non-university institutions and people. Learn more about the EELISA communities DISCOVERY (Designing a Sustainable and Decarbonized University), CRC (Circular and Regenerative Campus Community), SusBCC (Sustainable Buildings and Communities) and many more.

Communities (itu.edu.tr)

EELISA community initiatives (itu.edu.tr)

Sustainable Ecosystem Days, which is the first carbon neutral congress of ITU, has been organized since 2009 and is free of charge to students from many cities of Turkey, academics working with an understanding of sustainability, and industry representatives with a global sensitivity and vision on environmental technologies and sustainable environmental approach.

Click for detailed information.

In the changing world, research topics also focus on sustainability and many project calls are associated with sustainable development goals. We present the current project calls related to sustainability below for you. Don't you think it's time to change the direction of research?

European Hydrogen Week (EHW) 29 November - 3 December 2021

Solar Cofund 2 Call

BiodivERsA+ Project Call

Call for Positive Energy Districts and Sustainable Cities

Project Call for Safe, Resilient Transportation and Smart Mobility Services

Students

Sustainable Ecosystem Days, which is the first carbon neutral congress of ITU, has been organized since 2009 and is free of charge to students from many cities of Turkey, academics working with an understanding of sustainability, and industry representatives with a global sensitivity and vision on environmental technologies and sustainable environmental approach.

Click for detailed information.

Public

Sustainable Ecosystem Days, which is the first carbon neutral congress of ITU, has been organized since 2009 and is free of charge to students from many cities of Turkey, academics working with an understanding of sustainability, and industry representatives with a global sensitivity and vision on environmental technologies and sustainable environmental approach.

Click for detailed information.