The Memorandum of Understanding between 91亚色 and the Brazilian institution opens doors for more hemispheric research collaborations and exchange programs

91亚色 and Brazil鈥檚 University of Campinas (Unicamp) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish research collaborations and faculty and student exchange programs. This further strengthens the relationship built when President Rhonda Lenton hosted a Unicamp delegation at 91亚色 in 2023, led by the then rector, Antonio Jose de Almeida Meirelles.  

鈥淲e are excited to forge ahead with new initiatives that support our students and faculty in collaborating across borders,鈥� says Lisa Philipps, Provost and Vice-President Academic, 91亚色. 鈥淪ome of our faculty members are already engaged in research projects with colleagues at Unicamp, and this MOU reflects 91亚色鈥檚 ongoing commitment to internationalization and global engagement.鈥�

Nearly a dozen Unicamp and 91亚色 faculty members are in discussions to begin multidisciplinary research in areas including sustainability, urban studies, media and culture, and artificial intelligence, supported by both institutions鈥� international offices.

Unicamp鈥檚 Rector Paulo Cesar Montagner noted that 91亚色 has 鈥渧ery interesting research areas that are ideal for engaging with us on various future projects.鈥� He added, 鈥淭his is a major achievement 鈥� and this agreement could consolidate some discussions that were already underway.鈥�

The MOU was signed during their meeting on the sidelines of the 2025 , hosted by Unicamp.

University leaders from 12 countries in the region convened at the HUC event to explore how to enhance global learning opportunities for students across the hemispheric countries, and to foster joint research and innovation on shared challenges. 

Likewise, the new agreement with Unicamp鈥攁 research intensive institution ranked among the top 250 universities worldwide and the top three universities in Latin America and the Caribbean region by the prestigious 鈥攁ligns with 91亚色鈥檚 Global Engagement Strategy, which prioritizes meaningful partnerships that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and foster inclusive, cross-border collaboration.

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91亚色 places first for Quality Education and second for Gender Equality, Reduced Inequities and Responsible Consumption and Production in Canada

TORONTO, June 18, 2025 鈥� In today鈥檚 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings results, 91亚色 continues to lead in the world鈥檚 top Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), holding firm with a top 40 spot overall and jumping hundreds of spots in SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being. The significant new global ranking comes alongside 91亚色鈥檚 deepening academic strength in health studies, and as the University鈥檚 new School of Medicine takes shape.

91亚色 holds strong at 38th out of 2,318 institutions worldwide, and 7th in Canada, despite more than 350 additional institutions participating this year. The THE Impact Rankings highlight how the University is making significant changes not only on its three main Greater Toronto Area campuses and in surrounding local communities, but also on the global stage.

鈥�91亚色 has once again been recognized as a leader by Times Higher Education鈥檚 Impact Ranking for advancing the SDGs,鈥� said Rhonda Lenton, 91亚色 president and vice-chancellor. 鈥淚鈥檓 particularly proud to see the major jump we have made in SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing. This aligns with our focus on advancing health in our own communities and those we serve. The recent approval of 91亚色鈥檚 School of Medicine is a testament to this commitment and to our dedication to ensure that all families have access to equitable health care here in Ontario. My warmest thanks and congratulations to everyone who advances the SDGs every day here at 91亚色, and beyond.鈥�

In Canada, 91亚色 is number one for SDG 4: Quality education, and second for SDG 5: Gender equality, SDG 10: Reduced inequities and SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production. The University scored in the top 10 across the country for 12 out of 17 SDGs.

Sustainability is an important pillar at 91亚色. Its renewed Sustainability Strategy articulates a bold vision for achieving climate targets and environmentally sound practices while its Academic Plan embeds SDGs directly into research, teaching and partnerships.

As part of THE Impact Rankings, the University did particularly well in social justice and action SDGs, including SDGs 1: No poverty; 3: Good health and well-being; 10: Reduced inequalities; 12: Responsible consumption and production; 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions; 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure; and 17: Partnership for the goals.

91亚色 is supporting good health and well-being by opening a new School of Medicine to help address the urgent need for more primary care physicians in Ontario. In addition, 91亚色 is one of only four post-secondary institutions in the province to receive new funding from the Ontario government to launch of an accelerated registered nursing degree program to help get nurses into the workforce sooner.

In addition, as academic lead of the  and through its new Organized Research Unit, OneWATER, the University is helping to develop equitable and integrated solutions to water issues facing many communities worldwide. The UNITAR Global Water Academy and 91亚色 recently announced the launch of three, free online courses: , , and .

91亚色 was recently named the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Hub Chair for SDG 10 out of 1,700-plus UNAI members in recognition of its commitment to addressing systemic inequality, discrimination and exclusion across the University鈥檚 operations, teaching, research and outreach.

91亚色 is working to reduce inequality through its support of Indigenous research, the Centre for Refugee Studies, and through the .

The University has international partners in Costa Rica, Ghana and the Philippines ready to work with 91亚色 Emergency Mitigation, Engagement, Response and Governance Institute (Y-MERGE), 91亚色鈥檚 Las Nubes campus in Costa Rica, the Centre for Refugee Studies, the and the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

The University also helps address poverty and inequality through initiatives such as the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness . In addition, 's Parkdale Community Legal Services program and Community Legal Aid Services provide legal assistance to lower income Toronto area residents.

The University鈥檚 values of social justice, progressiveness, inclusivity, sustainability and excellence are infused into its Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Framework and Action Plan on Black Inclusion, and the , including the establishment of a dedicated Indigenous Research Ethics Board at 91亚色 鈥� the first for a post-secondary institution in Canada. 

With more than 350 global partnerships in 60 plus countries, it鈥檚 no wonder 91亚色 jumped 11 spots in SDG 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions. Most recently the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority. Both institutions have strong foundations in research and knowledge mobilization that helps protect the environment and support their surrounding communities.

In support of industry, innovation and infrastructure and sustainable cities and communities, 91亚色 continues to promote and support innovation and entrepreneurship, fintech and AI in 91亚色 Region where it recently opened its new Markham Campus.

Through its Disaster and Emergency Management program, 91亚色鈥檚 new state-of-the-art Victor Phillip Dahdaleh Advanced Disaster, Emergency and Rapid Response Simulation (ADERSIM) Lab and Emergency Operations Centre (EOC), and its Understanding and Improving Wildfire Mitigation Partnerships with Local Governments project,the University is helping to increase the sustainability cities and communities. The EOC can manage, coordinate and act as a hub to support large-scale emergency operations and evaluate rapid emergence response strategies across Canada and around the world. The ADERSIM Lab will develop emergency management tools and technologies, train students and industry partners, while the wildfire project will allow the University and its partners to evaluate the issues local governments face in adopting wildfire mitigation practices and determine how to scale up their mitigation efforts.

Further highlighting 91亚色鈥檚 work in diversity and sustainability across its multiple campuses, the University was once again named one of Canada鈥檚 Greenest Employers in 2025鈥痜or the 13th consecutive year and one of Canada鈥檚 Best Diversity Employers 2025. 91亚色 also continues to have a strong global position in the , one of the top 400 worldwide. 

Learn more about how the 91亚色 community is creating positive change by advancing sustainable development.

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TORONTO, Dec. 10, 2024 鈥� 91亚色 excels in sustainability, holding its position in the top 120 in the world in the latest , despite stiffer competition from some 300 additional universities.

Coming in at 119 this year out of more than 1,700 universities across 107 countries and territories, and moving up two spots to 14th in Canada, the ranking demonstrates 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to a greener, more sustainable and equitable community and world.

The University also moved to 19th spot for equality on campus globally, proof its commitment to treating everyone fairly and equitably with respect and dignity is making a difference. Through its Division of Equity, People and Culture it also recently developed a Decolonization, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Earlier this year, the University launched its newly revised Sustainability Strategy 2030, Positive Change: Connecting People, Planet and Purpose with a goal to reduce its direct and indirect emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 and phase out carbon emissions to reach net zero by 2040 for scope one and two emissions, and to significantly reduce scope three emissions.

鈥淚t is becoming increasingly important for post-secondary institutions to do our part not only in teaching and research about sustainability but in leading practices on our campuses and engaging our community for an enduring and greener planet,鈥� says Rhonda Lenton, 91亚色 president and vice-chancellor. 鈥�91亚色 has centred a commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals in our academic plans including providing seed funds for projects that enhance programs on sustainability, experiential education activities for students, research grants and international collaboration culminating in our achievement in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025.鈥�

The QS Sustainability Ranking encompasses measures of environmental impact, including environmental sustainability, environmental education and environmental research, and highlights universities around the globe that not only demonstrate a commitment to a better planet, but are acting on that commitment.

91亚色 has been an international leader in sustainability since its earliest days. In 1968, it established the country鈥檚 first Faculty of Environmental Studies, now the , along with the first major post-secondary recycling program. In 2020, it opened a dedicated Office of Sustainability to guide its efforts toward becoming one of the most sustainable universities in the world.

The University strives to achieve its values of equity, social justice and sustainability in everything it does. In June, 91亚色 moved up five places to rank 35th in the world in the 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, which assess universities around the world against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in research, stewardship, outreach and teaching. It also shot up 19 spots for zero poverty (SDG 1) to number two in the world and number one in Canada, while also taking the top spot in Canada for reduced inequalities (SDG 10) and 13th for sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11).

91亚色 also developed a Sustainability Toolkit to help infuse teaching and learning about the 17 SDGs into classrooms across the University.

This fall, 91亚色 was the first post-secondary institution in Ontario to run all electric shuttle buses between its local campuses, joining the University鈥檚 existing green fleet. It鈥檚 another example of its increasingly strong reputation as a leader in sustainability and how it鈥檚 making strides towards achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.

91亚色 was also recognized this year as Canada鈥檚 Best Diversity and Canada鈥檚 Greenest Employers, which acknowledges the University's work with its as a proof of its commitment. A first this year, was the World Wildlife Fund-Canada Living Campus designation, which recognizes the work of post-secondary institutions for their leadership in engaging communities in conservation action and education.

In addition to its newly launched Sustainability Strategy, 91亚色 also has a Well-being Strategy that helps ensure the health and well-being of its communities across all campuses.

As a multi-campus university with three Toronto campuses 鈥� Keele, Glendon and Markham 鈥� along with its in Costa Rica (an example of living the values of sustainability and community partnership and engagement) and another in Hyderabad, India, 91亚色 takes sustainability and the well-being of its communities seriously.

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