On 24 June 2026, Times Higher Education (THE) published the results of the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026, a global ranking that evaluates universities based on their contribution to achieving the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In 2026, the ranking was introduced for the first time under its new title, THE Sustainability Impact Ratings, replacing the former THE Impact Rankings, which had been published annually since 2019 and has become one of the world's most authoritative international assessment systems for measuring universities' contributions to sustainable development.

The 2026 edition of the ranking included approximately 1,646 universities from 116 countries and territories. To be eligible for the overall ranking, universities were required to submit evidence for at least four Sustainable Development Goals, with SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals serving as a mandatory assessment category.

For the first time in history, three higher education institutions of Turkmenistan were included in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings. This achievement reflects the growing international recognition of the country's higher education system and the successful implementation of sustainable development principles within its universities.

The International Oil and Gas University named after Yagshygeldi Kakayev has been successfully participating in this prestigious international ranking for the fifth consecutive year (since 2022), demonstrating the high quality of its educational, scientific, innovative and international activities.

According to the 2026 assessment results, the University achieved the following positions:

• SDG 4 – Quality Education: 401–600 globally (the highest result among higher education institutions of Turkmenistan);
• SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: 601–800 globally;
• SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: 601–800 globally;
• SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals: successfully included in the global ranking.

Compared with the previous year, the University improved its performance in SDG 4, SDG 7, and SDG 9, reflecting the continuous development of its educational activities, scientific research, international cooperation, innovation infrastructure, and the effective integration of sustainable development principles into its academic and institutional practices.

The University's inclusion in the THE Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026 confirms that its activities meet internationally recognized standards in the field of sustainable development and represents international recognition of its contribution to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. These achievements will further strengthen the University's international reputation, expand cooperation with overseas partners, and enhance the global competitiveness of higher education in Turkmenistan.

We express our sincere gratitude to the Esteemed President of Turkmenistan and the Hero Arkadag for their unwavering efforts to modernize the national system of science and education, strengthen international cooperation, provide continuous support for the younger generation, and create broad opportunities and favorable conditions for their development.

We wish Hero Arkadag and Arkadagly Hero Serdar good health, long life, and continued success. May their far-reaching initiatives, carried out for the prosperity of the nation and the well-being of the state, always be accompanied by remarkable achievements and lasting success.

Yagshygeldi Kakayev International oil and gas university