VSB - Technical University of Ostrava succeeds in two "green" rankings

QS World University Rankings: Sustainability

To qualify for the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability, a university must be featured in the QS global, regional, or subject rankings. Universities are assessed in three main categories: Environmental Impact (45%), Social Impact (45%), and Governance (10%). These categories comprise nine thematic indicators and 52 metrics. The assessment combines data from universities, Elsevier, national statistics, and independent third-party evaluations.

“Last year, we ranked between 841st and 860th, and this year, we achieved 840th place. In Europe, VSB-TUO is ranked 336th. Our best global ranking was in the Governance category, where we jumped from 603rd place last year to 435th this year. Among 556 evaluated European universities, we hold the 200th position. The Governance category evaluates how universities apply principles of transparency, democracy, and inclusion in leadership and decision-making,” said Kateřina Angus, International Evaluation and Rankings Officer.

In the Environmental Impact category, which assesses contributions to a sustainable future through environmental research, education, and operations, VSB-TUO ranked 806th. The University maintained its position in the Social Impact category, where it ranks in the 1001+ group. This category considers initiatives promoting equity, diversity, inclusion, and knowledge-sharing, such as through partnerships.

A total of 12 Czech universities were included in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025, an increase of two compared to last year. The highest-ranking Czech institution is Masaryk University (215th globally), Charles University (218th globally) and the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague (283rd globally), with VSB-TUO ranking 9th nationally.

UI GreenMetric World University Ranking

The UI GreenMetric World University Ranking, initiated by Universitas Indonesia in 2010, evaluates universities' approaches to sustainable development and environmental responsibility. Universities are assessed using 39 indicators across six categories:

>      Setting and Infrastructure (15%)

>      Energy and Climate Change (21%)

>      Waste Management (18%)

>      Water Management (10%)

>      Transportation (18%)

>      Education and Research (18%)

Criteria include, for example, the proportion of green spaces, infrastructure quality and accessibility, energy efficiency, emission reduction, waste minimisation, water conservation and recycling, sustainable transportation, and educational and research activities supporting sustainability.

“Globally, VSB-TUO is ranked 482nd, which is a very good result. Among Czech universities, only the Czech University of Life Sciences in Prague, Masaryk University, and Mendel University in Brno performed better. In total, seven Czech universities are included in the ranking,” Marcel Šihor, Sustainability Manager at VSB-TUO. Globally, the ranking is led by Wageningen University & Research (Netherlands), followed by Nottingham Trent University (UK) and the University of Groningen (Netherlands).

“This achievement demonstrates that our University is on the right path in terms of sustainability. It is not only a recognition of our work so far but also a commitment to further development in this area,” said Gabriela Mechelová, VSB-TUO Bursar.

For detailed information, see QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025 and the Overall Rankings 2024 - UI GreenMetric.

Text: Martina Šaradínová, PR Specialist for R&D

Photo credit: VSB-TUO Archive, QS Quacquarelli Symonds, UI Green Metric