UNAB Ranks Among Top 3 Chilean Universities in THE Impact Rankings 2025

In this edition of the rankings, UNAB placed third in Chile and ranked among the world’s top 400 universities, out of 2,526 institutions evaluated across 130 countries.

“This achievement reflects our university community’s commitment to high-quality, holistic education and the generation of knowledge that goes beyond our classrooms to help solve today’s social and environmental challenges,” said UNAB President Julio Castro.
“We pursue these goals through concrete initiatives with measurable results – such as our carbon neutrality plan by 2038, twelve years ahead of Chile’s national target.”

Ignacio Guerrero, Dean of Community Engagement and Alumni Relations, emphasized the university’s strategic approach to contributing to the SDGs through both academic and institutional partnerships.

“We work closely with our undergraduate and graduate programs, as well as with more than 750 partner organizations, to develop outreach projects that support progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals. This enables us to create meaningful, lasting impact in our communities and environment – just as this ranking reflects.”

UNAB’s Leadership in Sustainability in THE Impact Rankings 2025

The 17 SDGs form a global agenda to address the world’s most pressing challenges. Adopted in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, they aim to end poverty, protect the planet, and promote well-being for all. The goals address areas such as quality education, gender equality, climate action, reduced inequalities, and peace and justice.

In the 2025 edition of THE Impact Rankings, UNAB ranked among the top three Chilean universities in 10 of the 17 SDGs:

• 2nd place nationally in six goals: No Poverty, Gender Equality, Affordable and Clean Energy, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, and Life on Land
• 3rd place nationally in four goals: Clean Water and Sanitation, Reduced Inequalities, Sustainable Cities and Communities, and Life Below Water
• Top 10 nationally in five additional SDGs

THE Impact Rankings are the only global performance tables that evaluate universities based on their progress toward the SDGs. Institutions are assessed across four dimensions: teaching, research, outreach, and stewardship.

“At UNAB, we view research as a fundamental pillar in tackling global challenges,” said Carolina Torrealba, Dean of Research and Doctoral Programs. “Our goal is to generate impactful knowledge that’s aligned with real societal needs and contributes to Chile’s sustainable development.”

Impact in Action: Research and Outreach Projects

One example of UNAB’s commitment is the red sea urchin repopulation program along the coasts of Quintay and Pichicuy, led by its Marine Research Center (CIMARQ). Developed in partnership with artisanal fishers, the program aims to restore a species critical to sustainable coastal economies and marine biodiversity (SDG 14: Life Below Water).

In Quintay, 20,000 sea urchin juveniles were released; in Pichicuy, the program scaled up with the release of 25,000 urchins – marking a national milestone in marine conservation.

UNAB researchers are also addressing critical environmental and social issues through diverse projects, including:

• José Pulgar’s work on persistent pollutants in Antarctica and how climate change may reactivate their movement through the ecosystem (SDG 13: Climate Action)
• Gustavo Gatica’s development of IoT systems to optimize agricultural water use (SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation)
• Edmundo Muñoz’s evaluation of human-powered hydroponic systems as a clean alternative for food production (SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy)
• Víctor Pedrero’s research to reduce diabetes-related stigma (SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being)
• Frano Giakoni’s study of the Pan American Games’ impact on gender equity (SDG 5: Gender Equality)

Together, these efforts demonstrate how UNAB continues to generate knowledge and innovation with real-world impact – for people, communities, and the planet.