The UI GreenMetric rankings for 2026 have been announced, revealing that 47 Egyptian universities have been included, up from 38 in 2025. This significant increase reflects the growing emphasis on sustainability in Egypt's higher education sector. The rankings assess universities based on their sustainability performance, providing a comprehensive evaluation of their environmental impact.
Dr. Abdel Aziz Kansoua, Egypt's Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, has praised the country's universities for their improved performance in the rankings. He highlighted that the inclusion of nine new universities in the rankings within a single year demonstrates the sector's commitment to measuring and documenting sustainability practices. The minister emphasized the government's support for universities in adopting sustainable practices and enhancing their international rankings.
The top 10 Egyptian universities in the UI GreenMetric rankings for 2026 have been identified. Alexandria University has maintained its position as the top Egyptian university in sustainability, ranking 107th globally. October 6 University secured the second spot, followed by Sohag University, Benha University, and New Mansoura University. These universities have demonstrated strong performance across various sustainability indicators.
The UI GreenMetric rankings include a range of Egyptian universities, encompassing both public and private institutions, as well as newer universities that have made significant strides in sustainability. Notable entrants include the Egyptian Russian University, Aswan University, and the International University of Science and Technology. The diversity of ranked institutions reflects the widespread commitment to sustainability across Egypt's higher education sector.
Several Egyptian universities have shown improvement in their local rankings between 2025 and 2026. The UI GreenMetric index assesses universities based on seven key indicators, including infrastructure, energy and climate change, waste management, water usage, transportation, education and research, and governance and digital transformation. These indicators provide a comprehensive evaluation of a university's sustainability performance.
Dr. Adel Abdel Ghafar, the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, has emphasized the ongoing efforts to enhance the competitiveness of Egyptian universities. He highlighted the importance of developing research capabilities, fostering international collaborations, and prioritizing high-quality research that contributes to global academic discourse.
The UI GreenMetric rankings serve as a global benchmark for evaluating sustainability in higher education institutions. With 2016 institutions from 110 countries participating in the 2026 rankings, the index provides a comprehensive overview of global sustainability efforts in the sector. Egypt's universities have made notable progress in the rankings, reflecting their commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility.
Key points
- Egypt's universities have made significant strides in sustainability, with 47 institutions ranked in the 2026 UI GreenMetric index.
- The top 10 Egyptian universities in the rankings include Alexandria University, October 6 University, and Sohag University.
- The UI GreenMetric index assesses universities based on seven key indicators, including infrastructure, energy and climate change, and education and research.
