Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University (PNU) is on a mission to achieve one of the goals of Saudi Vision 2030, namely the inclusion of five Saudi universities within the top 200 universities in the world.
The university regularly participates in several international rankings, and more recently, participated in the Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Ranking 2020. The ranking, published by the British education magazine THE, assesses the impact of universities on society based on their success in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SGSs) of the UN. It ranks the degree of social contribution of universities through the framework of the SDGs and is said to reflect the diversity and uniqueness of universities.
PNU ranked third locally and 472nd globally. It applied for the first time to the University Impact Ranking, in its second edition, earlier this year. The university entered six goals, namely, good health, gender equality, reduced inequality, quality education, economic growth, and partnerships for the goals. Out of 4,100 universities, 767 universities from 85 countries were nominated for the final results.
PNU has shown remarkable commitment to sustainability through various practices over the years. Also notable is the Kingdom’s contribution to achieving sustainable development, especially since assuming the G20 2020 Presidency.
PNU Vice Rector for Development and Quality Dr. Huda Al-Wohaibi said the university’s participation in the ranking this year comes within an integrated series of goals that have been planned for the institution. She said preparations to match the criteria of the ranking began in January 2019, and included three levels:
1. A study of all the SDGs and the indicators required to measure each goal, by an international classifications team;
2. Specifying the goals based on the evidence supporting each goal; and
3. Reviewing the evidence, preparing the required reports and submitting them to the relevant authorities.
Al-Wohaibi said that the university was evaluated based on the results achieved for four goals — gender equality, economic growth, reducing inequality and partnerships in goals achievement.
PNU is in the process of adding eight more goals, bringing the total number of goals to 14 by 2021, to support the university’s position globally and achieve its mission in excellence, education and research encompassing national and global partnerships.
The largest all-female university in the world was established in 2008 in Riyadh, with the aim to achieve national and international leadership through education and research excellence and contribute to the development of society and environment based on Islamic values and cultural awareness for sustainable development.
