On June 24, Times Higher Education (THE) announced the results of the 2026 Sustainability Impact Ratings. Dong A University was recognized as one of the 17 Vietnamese universities included in this prestigious ranking, reaffirming its position in sustainable higher education and its commitment to contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Notably, Dong A University achieved a remarkable improvement, moving from the 1501+ group in 2025 to the 1001–1500 group in 2026. The University received strong recognition for its performance in three key Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Thanh Viet, Vice Rector of Dong A University, the University’s continued recognition in the international higher education community and its improved position in the 2026 THE Sustainability Impact Ratings demonstrate its strong commitment to sustainable development. This achievement also strengthens the University’s growing role within the sustainable higher education systems of both Vietnam and the global community.
He added that this achievement represents an important milestone in the University’s development. It reflects Dong A University’s continuous efforts to provide high-quality education, promote scientific research, serve the community, and contribute to the sustainable development of local communities, Vietnam, and the United Nations’ global agenda.
The THE Sustainability Impact Ratings is one of the world’s most influential university rankings. Unlike rankings that focus mainly on research performance and academic reputation, it evaluates universities based on their real impact on society through education, research, governance, partnerships, and community engagement in relation to the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The University’s improved ranking in 2026 reflects not only its achievements over the past year but also the effectiveness of its long-term development strategy, which places people at the center, emphasizes quality, and promotes social responsibility as a key driving force.
In this year’s ranking, Dong A University recorded significant progress in three key Sustainable Development Goals.
SDG 4 – Quality Education: The University has continuously improved its academic programs with an application-oriented approach, strengthened partnerships with industry, promoted digital transformation in teaching and learning, and expanded access to education. Quality assurance based on AUN-QA standards, increasing internationalization through the enrollment of international students—particularly Indian students in the Doctor of Medicine program—and various initiatives to enhance the student experience have all contributed to the University’s strong performance in quality education.
SDG 5 – Gender Equality: Dong A University promotes an inclusive learning and working environment that values diversity and provides equal opportunities for female faculty and staff to develop their potential in teaching, research, management, and leadership. Its gender equality policies and initiatives have helped create a modern, inclusive, and supportive university environment.
SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: This is one of Dong A University’s key strengths. Through strong university–industry collaboration, domestic and international internship opportunities, extensive international partnerships, and an expanding network of business partners, students are well prepared for their careers, enjoy greater employment opportunities, and contribute to socio-economic development.
Over the years, Dong A University has implemented a wide range of initiatives to support sustainable development, including improving educational quality and research, promoting innovation and digital transformation, expanding community engagement programs, strengthening international cooperation, creating a green and supportive learning environment, and advancing equality, inclusion, and social responsibility. The collective contributions of faculty members, staff, students, alumni, domestic and international partners, and other stakeholders have created positive impacts recognized by the international community.
“The 2026 THE Sustainability Impact Ratings results are not the final destination but a motivation for Dong A University to continue innovating and developing,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dinh Thanh Viet emphasized. “In the coming years, the University will further strengthen its education, research, community engagement, and international cooperation in line with sustainable development, contributing to the achievement of Vietnam’s development goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”
Four Academic Programs Achieve AUN-QA 4.0 Accreditation, Reinforcing Educational Quality
On the same day, Dong A University also celebrated another important achievement as four academic programs—Business Administration, Hotel Management, English Language, and Information Technology—officially received AUN-QA 4.0 accreditation. This milestone marks significant progress in the University’s strategy to enhance educational quality and strengthen its integration with the higher education system in the ASEAN region.
This achievement represents objective recognition from international experts and accreditation organizations. It also confirms the University’s academic reputation, educational quality, and increasing integration with higher education institutions across ASEAN. Furthermore, the AUN-QA accreditation reflects Dong A University’s continuous and comprehensive improvement in curriculum design aligned with international learning outcomes, teaching quality, learning facilities, applied research, and collaboration with domestic and international industry partners.
One of the University’s key strengths recognized during the evaluation was its well-developed learning environment and modern facilities, which effectively support teaching, learning, and research. Dong A University has invested in advanced laboratories and specialized practice facilities, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in environments that closely simulate real workplaces. These include a simulation and pre-clinical center, Japanese-standard nursing skill laboratories, an Australian-standard training kitchen, hotel practice rooms for housekeeping, front office, and bar operations, multimedia language laboratories, and many other specialized learning spaces.
Dong A University’s research ecosystem was also highly appreciated because it extends beyond faculty members and researchers to actively engage students. Annual events such as the Student Scientific Research Competition are closely connected with the UDA Startup & Innovation program, encouraging research and entrepreneurship. Over the past 12 years, the competition has attracted more than 2,160 students from various disciplines and generated over 800 research projects. These achievements demonstrate the University’s commitment to linking research with practical application, encouraging innovation, and supporting entrepreneurship.
In line with its application-oriented education model, Dong A University continues to expand partnerships with domestic and international businesses to provide students with practical learning experiences and better career opportunities. Every year, many students participate in internships and work placements in countries such as Japan, Singapore, the United States, Taiwan, and Germany, while also gaining valuable experience through the University’s network of industry partners in Vietnam.
To date, Dong A University has successfully achieved institutional accreditation for two consecutive accreditation cycles. In addition, most of its academic programs have met national quality assurance standards and received strong evaluation results, demonstrating the University’s ongoing commitment to educational excellence and continuous improvement.