Accra:Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA) has made significant progress in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2026, advancing 40 places to reach the 109th position globally, up from 149th the previous year. This achievement highlights the university's strengthening commitment to the global sustainability agenda, as it now stands just nine spots away from the top 100 most sustainable universities worldwide, among 2,016 institutions assessed this year.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, UniSZA has also improved its standing at the Asian level, moving up from 80th in 2025 to 57th in 2026.
Domestically, UniSZA has maintained its 9th-place ranking among 1,249 institutions listed in the UI GreenMetric 2026. This cements its status as one of the leading institutions in the country for sustainability performance.
UniSZA's vice-chancellor, Prof Datuk Dr Fadzli Adam, emphasized that the leap from 149th to 109th globally reflects the collective effort and commitment of the entire university community. He highlighted that sustainability at UniSZA goes beyond rankings, focusing on integrating sustainability principles into university development, campus management, education, research, innovation, and community engagement.
Prof Fadzli added that UniSZA aims to further strengthen its sustainability agenda as a core component of its ecosystem, involving active participation from all responsibility centres, academic and administrative staff, and students. The university is determined to embed sustainable development into its institutional practices and management.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azman Azid, chairman of the UniSZA Sustainability Secretariat, noted that the improved ranking was supported by an increase in the university's overall score, rising from 8,400 points in 2025 to 8,587.5 points in 2026. He emphasized that every sustainability initiative should lead to visible and measurable change, supported by high-impact actions and systematic data management.
The UI GreenMetric World University Rankings assess institutional performance across key areas such as infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation, education, and research, alongside new developments in governance and digitalization. This achievement underscores UniSZA's commitment to sustainable development across various aspects of its operations and community engagement.