University of Haifa ranks among top 100 universities on the Times Higher Education 2024 Impact Index

The University of Haifa placed 95th out of the top 100 universities worldwide in the prestigious Times Higher Education 2024 Impact Index. More than 2,000 universities worldwide were evaluated this year.

The Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings identifies universities that excel across multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Universities are measured according to their contributions to social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

“By excelling in a variety of SDGs, these universities showcase their commitment to addressing the world's most pressing challenges, including environmental sustainability, social inclusion, economic growth and partnerships,” according to the website.

This is the first time the University of Haifa has placed in the top 100., after placing in the 400th spot in 2021.

Prof. Gur Elroy, the incoming president of the University of Haifa, and current rector, said the high placement was evidence of the university’s dedication and effort.

“Our steady increase in the Impact Rankings, from 400th place in the world to 95th place in a span of just three years, indicates the hard work we have done at University of Haifa to meet the crucial task of universities in the 21st century: To be influential institutions which take part in solving the major challenges of humanity in the 21st century,” said Elroy.  

“Our climb to the 95th place underscores the significant efforts and dedication at the University of Haifa to address the profound challenges of our time. This year’s rankings affirm our status as a beacon of the values that shape Israeli society as a whole, and the social, economic, and environmental fabric in the North of the country in particular.”

Within the individual SDGs, the University of Haifa achieved several notable rankings, including 17th in "Gender Equality," 32nd in "Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions," and 68th in "Quality Education." In addition, its efforts in "Preserving Life on Earth," "Labor Relations and Economic Growth," were recognized.

Last year, several Israeli universities ranked among the 100 best universities on the 2023 Academic Ranking of World Universities.

The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot moved up to 67th place, compared to 83rd place in 2022; the Technion–Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa moved up to 78th place last year from 83rd in 2022, while the Hebrew University of Jerusalem dropped to 85th position from a ranking of 77th in 2022. The rankings are based on the number of Nobel Laureates, Fields Medalists and how often research articles from the universities are cited in scholarly literature.

In August 2023, Tel Aviv University (TAU) was ranked as the leading unicorn start-up breeder outside of the United States in a study conducted by Stanford University.

“We made a strategic decision to position Tel Aviv as Israel's leading entrepreneurial university and proactively strengthen our technological and business advantage as a means of producing startups and unicorns,” said Prof. Moshe Zviran, the director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at TAU, at the time.