Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) has secured a place in the 401-600 band globally in the Overall Sustainability Impact Ratings, out of 1,603 higher education institutions worldwide. The achievement simultaneously places UMS as the highest-ranked Muhammadiyah and Aisyiyah Higher Education Institution (PTMA) in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.
Global Reputation Coordinator at the UMS Directorate of Reputation, Partnership, and International Affairs, Ayu Khoirotul Umaroh, S.K.M., M.K.M., said the result represents a significant improvement compared to the previous year. In the THE Impact Rankings 2025, UMS was still placed in the 1001-1500 global band, making this year's achievement a clear demonstration of the institution's strengthened performance in supporting the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a measurable and sustainable way.
"This achievement is very encouraging because it shows that the various programs UMS has run in support of the SDGs are beginning to receive stronger recognition at the international level. It is also an indicator that the efforts of the academic community are moving in the right direction," Ayu said on Wednesday (24/6/2026).
According to Ayu, the ranking improvement reflects the academic quality and real impact produced by UMS through education, research, community service, partnership, and sustainable institutional governance.
One of the most outstanding achievements is UMS entering the global Top 100 for SDG 1 No Poverty, placing 97th in the world. This reflects UMS's commitment to expanding access to education, providing various scholarship programs, empowering communities, and promoting community-based economic strengthening.
"This achievement reflects UMS's strong commitment to supporting poverty alleviation through various strategic programs, from providing access to inclusive education and scholarships, to community empowerment and community-based economic strengthening," Ayu added.
UMS's performance across a number of other SDG indicators also demonstrated strong competitiveness at the international level. For SDG 4 Quality Education and SDG 5 Gender Equality, UMS placed in the 101-200 global band. For SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, UMS placed in the 201-300 global band.
UMS's contributions in health, economic growth, innovation, reduced inequalities, and global partnership also received international recognition. UMS is recorded in the 301-400 global band for SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being, the 401-600 global band for SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, and the 601-800 global band for SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals.
UMS Rector Prof. Dr. Harun Joko Prayitno, M.Hum. affirmed that the achievement is the result of the collective efforts of the entire academic community in integrating sustainability principles into education, research, community service, and institutional governance.
"This ranking improvement is proof that UMS's commitment to sustainable development continues to grow in real and concrete ways. We believe that universities have a strategic role in creating broad social impact through education, research, innovation, and community service," Harun said.
In recent years, UMS has continued to strengthen various programs aligned with the SDGs agenda, from developing sustainability-based research and deepening international collaboration, to impact-oriented community service and the strengthening of institutional policies that support sustainable governance, all in pursuit of a more inclusive, just, and sustainable future.
Writer: Alvian Rizky Prasetya
Editor: Gede Arga Adrian
Translator: Farizal Luqman Majid
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