An-Najah National University Ranked First in Palestine and Among the Global Elite in the Green University Ranking 2025 (UI GreenMetric)

SadaNews - An-Najah National University continues to shine in the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings 2025, achieving a new qualitative accomplishment this year by securing the first place in Palestine among 11 participating Palestinian universities in the ranking, and ranking 108th globally out of 1,745 universities from 105 countries, while also being ranked 4th in the Arab world, maintaining its presence in the Golden Cluster that includes the most sustainable universities globally.

This achievement comes amidst increasing global competition, as the number of participating universities rose from 1,477 in the 2024 edition to 1,745 in the 2025 edition, an increase of 268 universities, and growing from 95 to 105 countries, reflecting the expanded presence of this ranking and its international significance in measuring universities' performance in sustainability. An-Najah witnessed an improvement in its total score, approaching 85 points out of 100, rising from about 84.5 last year, confirming the continuous progress in its sustainable policies and practices despite fierce competition and the increasing number of universities.

The UI GreenMetric ranking is a global reference in measuring universities' commitment to sustainable development and promoting eco-friendly practices through six main axes including: Setting & Infrastructure, Energy & Climate Change, Waste, Water, Transportation, and Education & Research. This performance reflects An-Najah National University's status as a pioneering academic institution in adopting sustainable solutions and addressing environmental challenges on local, regional, and international levels.

This progress for the university is a result of its strong commitment to providing a sustainable and eco-friendly academic environment, placing it among the top universities globally, Arab, and locally in most of the main ranking axes. This year, An-Najah ranked among the highest universities worldwide in the Energy and Climate Change axis, achieving 1,950 points out of 2,000, indicating the success of the university's investments in clean energy, energy efficiency, and reducing carbon emissions. It has also achieved high ranks in the axes of education and sustainable scientific research, sustainable transportation, and the management of water and waste resources, solidifying its position as a leading university in the field of university sustainability.

Commenting on this achievement, Professor Abdul-Nasser Zaid, the University President, stated that this ranking represents a renewed global testimony to An-Najah National University's commitment to its vision for sustainable development and community service, saying: "An-Najah National University proves year after year that investment in sustainability is not a luxury, but a strategic national and academic choice. Despite all the challenges and difficulties in Palestine, the university continues to build a university model that values the environment, enhances community awareness, and reinforces the culture of sustainability in teaching, research, and community service."

He added that the university’s interest in the Green University Ranking stems from its keenness to provide an exemplary academic environment that supports innovation and improves quality of life, explaining that the university is implementing a wide range of quality projects, including: clean energy generation stations (solar energy) on building roofs and parking lots, expanding green spaces, developing water management systems, applying effective waste sorting and recycling practices, and providing advanced research laboratories and open education resources. The university is also working through its Technology Transfer and Innovation Office to transform scientific research into products and services that serve the community locally and globally, and support entrepreneurship and innovation among faculty members and students.

The achievements of An-Najah National University in the field of sustainability are not limited to the UI GreenMetric ranking alone, but also include clear excellence in other global rankings that highlight its steadfast commitment to the sustainability agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2025 for measuring universities' performance in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, An-Najah National University ranked among the top 100 universities globally (82nd worldwide and 3rd in the Arab world), while maintaining the first position in Palestine and advancing in several goals such as clean water and sanitation, clean energy, and forming partnerships to achieve the goals, enhancing its status as a leading university in utilizing education and scientific research to serve global sustainable development issues.

The university also maintained its excellence in the QS Sustainability Rankings, where it ranked first in Palestine, confirming its leadership in adopting eco-friendly practices and enhancing scientific research related to sustainability, solidifying its role as an academic leader in the field of sustainable development regionally and internationally.

For his part, Professor Walid Soulaiah, Dean of Scientific Research and Director of the Global Academic Rankings Department, confirmed that this new achievement adds to An-Najah National University's rich record of successes in global rankings and enhances its role as a Palestinian scientific and academic beacon contributing to shaping a more sustainable and prosperous future for humanity and the environment, affirming that universities in Palestine can, despite difficult conditions, compete in the global top ranks when a clear vision, effective management, and smart investment in people, knowledge, and sustainable infrastructure are in place.

For details on the Green University Ranking 2025 and the results of participating universities, the UI GreenMetric 2025 ranking results can be accessed via the link.