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Maqsut Narikbayev University has significantly improved its standing in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, moving up to the 601–800 band in the prestigious global ranking..
The Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings (formerly THE Impact Rankings) is the only global ranking that assesses universities’ contributions to sustainable development based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). MNU was evaluated across four Sustainable Development Goals and improved its performance in both the overall ranking and each assessed category.
A particularly notable achievement was the university’s progress in SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, where MNU advanced to the 101–200 band. The university also improved to the 201–300 band for SDG 5: Gender Equality, entered the 401–600 band for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, and was ranked in the 601–800 band for SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.
“This is our third consecutive year participating in this ranking. It is important to us not only because it strengthens our international standing, but also because it closely reflects our university’s mission—to serve people by providing high-quality and accessible education. A modern university should be more than a center for education and research; it should also be an institution that creates tangible value for society through academic integrity, the promotion of legal culture, student support, partnerships, and social responsibility. That is why a ranking based on the UN Sustainable Development Goals is of particular significance to our university,” said Anar Ibrayeva, Provost of Maqsut Narikbayev University.
More than 1,600 universities from 116 countries and territories participated in this year’s ranking. The University of Manchester (United Kingdom) ranked first globally. Among the Kazakhstani universities included in the ranking, MNU placed among the top three.
