UNAIR NEWS – Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) has once again reaffirmed its standing as one of Indonesia’s leading and most sustainability-driven universities. In the prestigious QS Sustainability Rankings 2026 released by Quacquarelli Symonds on Tuesday (Nov 18, 2025), UNAIR achieved remarkable results, placing among the top two institutions in Indonesia across several key indicators and demonstrating strong competitiveness in Asia.
Rector Prof Muhammad Madyan SE MSi MFin emphasized that this accomplishment shows UNAIR excels not only academically but also in environmental stewardship, social impact, and accountable institutional governance. Overall, UNAIR ranked #=161 in Asia out of 827 institutions—placing it within the top 20 percent of universities in the region.
“This achievement is more than just numbers; it reflects the collective commitment of the entire academic community to deliver responsible education, research, and governance for society and the environment,” he said.
Leading in Indonesia: Two indicators ranked first nationally
Nationally, UNAIR achieved the highest position in two major sustainability indicators. The university ranked #=1 in Environmental Research, which assesses UNAIR’s research contributions to environmental issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It also earned the #=1 spot in Health & Wellbeing, highlighting UNAIR’s significant role in public health research and its tangible contributions to community well-being.
Additionally, UNAIR recorded strong performance by securing the #=2 national ranking for Good Governance and Impact of Education. Prof Madyan underscored the importance of showcasing integrity, transparency, and the academic impact of UNAIR’s educational efforts.
“These achievements demonstrate UNAIR’s strong governance practices as well as the high quality and societal impact of our academic programs,” said the professor from the Faculty of Economics and Business.
Regional excellence: UNAIR’s Good Governance ranks in Asia’s Top 20
UNAIR’s strengths were also recognized at the regional level, particularly in management and governance. The university ranked #=16 in Asia and #=2 in Southeast Asia for Good Governance, outperforming many institutions in developed countries and underscoring UNAIR’s leadership in building a transparent and accountable higher-education system.
Prof Madyan stated that UNAIR’s consistent improvement in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026 indicates that the university is on the right path toward realizing its vision as a sustainable campus.
“With this strong foundation, UNAIR is committed to further improving educational quality, boosting SDG-oriented research, and expanding social and environmental impact through strategic sustainability initiatives,” he explained.
Furthermore, Prof Madyan reminded that rankings should be viewed as reflections, not endpoints. For him, rankings mirror strong, consistent, and sustainable internal processes.
“These results demonstrate the strength of UNAIR’s three pillars of higher education in addressing environmental, health, and social challenges. We aim to expand collaborative and innovative research to deliver real solutions for communities, both nationally and globally,” he affirmed. (*)
Author: Khefti Al Mawalia, Patmawati
Editor: Oemar Moechtar, Yulia Rohmawati
