Gaborone — The University of Botswana (UB) has improved its standing in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2026, reflecting measurable progress across several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and underscoring the institution’s expanding role in education, research and national development.

UB recorded an overall score of 53 out of 100, placing it in the 1001–1500 band among 1,603 institutions worldwide in this year’s assessment. This is the university’s second year in the rankings, which evaluate higher education institutions on their contributions to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

In a statement, UB said the results demonstrate its “growing commitment to advancing sustainable development through teaching, research, innovation and community engagement.”

The university highlighted notable gains under SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

• SDG 4 — Quality Education: UB moved from the 1001–1500 band in 2025 to the 401–600 band in 2026, a shift the university attributes to improved teaching quality, expanded access, curriculum reforms and sustained contributions to national human capital development.
• SDG 17 — Partnerships for the Goals: The university advanced to the 401–600 band, citing expanded international collaborations, stronger regional partnerships and increased multi‑stakeholder engagement.
• SDG 1 — No Poverty: UB rose into the 401–600 band, crediting strengthened community outreach, targeted research on socio‑economic challenges and poverty‑alleviation initiatives.

Performance under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well‑being) remained steady in the 401–600 band, reflecting ongoing public‑health research and collaboration with healthcare stakeholders. The 2026 rankings also marked UB’s first participation under SDG 5 (Gender Equality), where it entered directly into the 401–600 category, a result the university linked to efforts to strengthen gender‑responsive policies and improve female representation.

The university acknowledged areas for improvement, notably SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), where non‑participation revealed gaps in reporting and documentation of innovation activities and industry partnerships. UB said it will strengthen measurement and evidence of existing innovation work.

UB said the THE results validate its strategy of embedding the SDGs across teaching, research, operations and community engagement, and pledged to continue enhancing sustainability performance through curriculum development, research impact and broader stakeholder collaboration.