The number of Egyptian universities featured in the 2026 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings for sustainability has increased to 47, up from 38 in 2025. Nine universities have joined the ranking for the first time this year, according to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. This growth reflects the rising interest among Egyptian higher education institutions in measuring and documenting their sustainability practices and performance.
Alexandria University has retained its position as the highest-ranked Egyptian university, placing 107th globally. October 6 University ranked second nationally and 220th globally, followed by Sohag University in third place nationally and 245th globally. The top 10 Egyptian universities in the 2026 ranking also include Benha University, New Mansoura University, Beni Suef University, Ain Shams University, Minya University, Zagazig University, and Benha National University.
The 47 Egyptian institutions included in the ranking comprise government, private, national, and technological universities. Several newer institutions have appeared on the international sustainability ranking for the first time. Minya University led in environment and infrastructure, while Benha University topped the energy and climate change indicator. Sohag University ranked first in water, and October 6 University led in sustainable transport.
The 2026 edition of the UI GreenMetric ranking assesses university sustainability through seven indicators: infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste, water, transportation, education and research, and governance and digital transformation. The governance and digital transformation indicator was introduced in the 2026 edition to reflect the growing role of digital transformation in university governance and its wider social impact.
Egyptian Higher Education Minister Abdel-Aziz Konsowa welcomed the increase in the number of Egyptian universities participating in the ranking. The ministry supports efforts to adopt sustainability practices on university campuses and improve the international standing of Egyptian higher education institutions. Ministry spokesperson Adel Abdel-Ghaffar highlighted efforts by Egyptian universities to improve research quality, international research cooperation, and sustainable infrastructure.
The ministry credited the Egyptian Knowledge Bank with providing researchers with access to extensive scientific resources. University ranking committees have been monitoring and documenting performance against international ranking criteria. The 2026 UI GreenMetric ranking included 2,016 institutions from 110 countries, according to the ministry.
The increase in Egyptian universities' participation in the UI GreenMetric ranking demonstrates the country's commitment to sustainability in higher education. The ministry's efforts to support sustainability practices and improve international rankings are expected to continue, with a focus on digital transformation and research quality.
Key points
- 47 Egyptian universities are featured in the 2026 UI GreenMetric World University Rankings for sustainability.
- Alexandria University is the highest-ranked Egyptian university, placing 107th globally.
- The 2026 UI GreenMetric ranking includes 2,016 institutions from 110 countries.
