The Miguel Hernández University of Elche (UMH) is the fifth Spanish university, and second from the Valencian Community, that contributes most on progress towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This is according to the 2025 British Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings, in which the UMH earned 80 points out of 100.

“We are in a very strong position within Spain in terms of the impact generated by the UMH, which goes beyond simply developing talent. This also involves helping nearby cities and communities become more sustainable, boosting the area’s economic growth, and, of course, promoting the use of more sustainable energy.” This point was emphasized by Antonio Verdú, the director of Prosperity, aka the Chair for Cooperation and Sustainable Development at the UMH.

If the positions from the 2025 University Impact Rankings are compared with only Spanish universities, the UMH occupies the top places in individual SDG categories of No Poverty, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Sustainable Cities and Communities. For the categories of Life Below Water; Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; Affordable and Clean Energy; and Reduced Inequalities, the UMH is in second place. For the Individual SDG of Climate Action among Spanish universities, the UMH is fifth overall.

On worldwide levels overall, the UMH is 34^th for Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions; and in 42^nd position for Decent Work and Economic Growth. And if we go back to comparing among Spanish universities, the UMH is a top-10 university for its impact on the SDGs of Good Health and Well-Being and that of Clean Water and Sanitation. For SDG #4, Quality Education, the UMH is among the top five Spanish universities.

The Times Higher Education Rankings is the only one that assesses universities against the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The 2025 edition, its seventh, examined 2,526 universities from 130 countries/territories and uses carefully calibrated indicators to provide comprehensive and balanced comparison across four broad areas: research, teaching, dissemination, and administration.