The Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) has marked a significant milestone in its pursuit of academic excellence and sustainable development by making its debut in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. This achievement reflects the University’s growing commitment to advancing science, technology and innovation while contributing meaningfully to Botswana’s national development and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

BIUST achieved an overall ranking in the 1000–1500 band out of 1,603 participating universities worldwide in its debut appearance in the prestigious Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, marking a significant milestone in the University’s global sustainability journey.

The University submitted evidence across six of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and was successfully ranked in all six, demonstrating its growing impact and providing a strong benchmark for continuous improvement in sustainability performance. BIUST’s rankings were as follows:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality (801–1000 band)
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy (801 band)
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth (401–600 band)
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (601–800 band)
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (601–800 band)
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals (1000–1500 band)

These achievements reflect BIUST’s strong commitment to advancing sustainable development through excellence in research, innovation, teaching, institutional governance, and community engagement.

The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings are the world’s only global university rankings that measure institutions against the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Unlike traditional rankings that focus primarily on teaching excellence and research output, the Impact Rankings evaluate how universities contribute to solving some of the world’s most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges through education, research, innovation, governance, community engagement and partnerships.

For BIUST, participation in these rankings is far more than an international benchmarking exercise. It reflects the University’s commitment to ensuring that its teaching, research, innovation and institutional practices create measurable and lasting impact beyond the classroom.

The University’s debut submission demonstrates that sustainability is deeply embedded across BIUST. It was the result of a collaborative effort involving academic schools, research centres, administrative and support directorates, with each contributing evidence of how their work advances one or more of the Sustainable Development Goals.

BIUST’s academic schools continue to drive impactful research and innovation that address national and global challenges. From promoting entrepreneurship and economic development to advancing scientific discoveries in health, environmental sustainability, engineering and technology, the University’s research is focused on generating practical solutions that improve lives and support Botswana’s development agenda.

The University’s administrative and professional directorates also play an equally important role. Through strategic partnerships, quality assurance, student support services, infrastructure development, finance, outreach, governance, communication, campus operations and community engagement, they contribute significantly to achieving the SDGs and strengthening institutional excellence. This whole-of-university approach demonstrates that sustainability is not the responsibility of one department, but a shared commitment embraced across the institution.

Participation in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings provides BIUST with an invaluable opportunity to benchmark its performance against leading universities across the world. More importantly, it enables the University to identify opportunities for continuous improvement, strengthen evidence-based decision-making, enhance institutional accountability and showcase the impact of its work to prospective  students, research partners, funding agencies and industry.

The rankings also encourage the University to systematically document and measure its contributions to sustainable development. By collecting robust evidence of its activities and achievements, BIUST is able to identify areas of strength, address gaps and continually improve the quality of its services, policies, academic programmes and institutional practices.

Recognising the value of this process, BIUST intends to participate in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings every year. The University views the rankings as a strategic tool for continuous institutional improvement and international benchmarking. Each submission will provide an opportunity to strengthen its performance, improve the quality of its services and academic offerings, expand the impact of its research and innovation, and enhance its contribution to Botswana’s socio-economic development.

As a science and technology university, BIUST recognises that sustainable development cannot be achieved by management alone. It requires the collective commitment of every member of the University community. Staff and students are therefore encouraged to embrace and live the Sustainable Development Goals in their teaching, learning, research, innovation, community engagement and everyday activities. By embedding the SDGs into the University’s culture, BIUST aims to produce graduates who are innovative, socially responsible and equipped to solve real-world challenges while contributing to a more sustainable Botswana.

The University’s debut in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings has also strengthened BIUST’s global visibility and affirmed the positive impact of the work being undertaken across its schools and directorates. University leadership has encouraged departments, directorates and research units to continue documenting and showcasing activities that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals as the institution works towards even greater success in future rankings.

While this marks BIUST’s first appearance in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, the University views it as the beginning of a long-term journey of continuous growth and improvement. Through annual participation, BIUST will continue to benchmark itself against the world’s leading universities, strengthen the quality of its teaching, research, innovation and services, and expand its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals. By fostering a culture where sustainability is embraced by every staff member and student, BIUST is building a stronger institution that delivers impactful research, transformative education and innovative solutions that contribute to a more prosperous, inclusive and sustainable Botswana.