Sunway University is the highest ranked private university in Malaysia within the globally recognised Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2021. These rankings represent a global performance table that assesses universities against the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are widely considered a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

The individual SDG rankings, 17 in total, addresses the global challenges in broad areas ranging from poverty, hunger, education and well-being to inequality and work practices, to living conditions and consumption practices, to environmental degradation, climate change to peace and justice for all.

Sunway University competed in a pool of more than one thousand two hundred universities from around the world and attained a global rank within the top 200 for SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities. In addition, the University received individual rankings for another four (4) SDGs:

• SDG 3 – Good Health and Wellbeing (top 400)
• SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation (top 300)
• SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth (top 300)
• SDG 17 – Partnership for the Goals (top 400)

In achieving an overall global rank of 401 – 600, Sunway University enters the pool of entrants as the highest-ranking private university in Malaysia.

Sunway University is linked to the larger Sunway City with a solar powered pedestrian walkway.

The Impact Rankings evaluate how institutions of higher learning address global challenges through a comprehensive and balanced comparison across four broad areas – research, outreach, teaching, and stewardship. The mission of the rankings is to help universities understand their position against their own mission; help students find and access the university best suited to their abilities and aspirations; and help higher education deliver transformational teaching, research, and innovation, while simultaneously impacting the communities they serve.

The Impact Rankings was first launched by Times Higher Education in 2019 with less than 500 participating institutions. The 2021 edition recorded participation from more than 1200 institutions from 98 countries/regions across the world.