Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU) has once again achieved a proud milestone on the global stage. In the newly released Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings 2026, USU has secured a Global Rank of 401+, marking a significant improvement from the previous year's 801+ category.

This achievement serves as clear evidence of USU's strengthened role as a university that not only focuses on academic excellence but also actively creates an impact on society through various programs, research, innovation, governance, and contributions to sustainable development.

THE Impact Rankings is a global ranking system that measures universities' contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The assessment covers a wide range of areas, including poverty alleviation, quality education, equality, health, the environment, and global partnerships.

In the 2026 rankings, USU demonstrated strong performance across several SDG indicators. Among its best achievements were SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), where it ranked 91st globally, and SDG 14 (Life Below Water), where it ranked 93rd globally. In addition, USU was placed in the 101+ category worldwide for SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

These achievements reflect USU's commitment to delivering broader benefits through education, research, and community service. Various initiatives in food security, community empowerment, environmental sustainability, and the promotion of equality and inclusivity have become part of USU's journey toward becoming a world-class university with a meaningful impact.

The Rector of Universitas Sumatera Utara, Prof. Dr. Muryanto Amin, S.Sos., M.Si, stated that this achievement is the result of the collective efforts of the entire USU academic community in building an excellent, inclusive, and sustainable higher education ecosystem.

"This achievement serves as motivation for USU to continue strengthening its tangible contributions to addressing global challenges. A university is not measured solely by its academic quality, but also by the extent of its impact on society and the environment," said the Rector of USU.

Looking ahead, Prof. Mury added that USU will continue to strengthen its internationalization agenda, improve the quality of its research, expand global collaborations, and implement SDG-based programs as part of its transformation into a World Class University. With this achievement, USU further reinforces its position as an Indonesian university that is capable of competing internationally while making a positive contribution to sustainable development.