Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) has achieved significant success at the national and international level as a result of the holistic, systematic, and determined efforts it has implemented in the last years in the fields of sustainability, environmental responsibility, and social contribution.

According to the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) National Monitoring Metrics BEUN’s results achieved in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings and UI GreenMetric rankings are a clear sign of the environmentally adapt institutional vision that prioritizes social benefit and sustainable development goals of the university.

Pioneer University in Sustainability: 9th in Türkiye

Standing out with its initiatives on sustainability and environmental awareness, BEUN ranked 9th with a 300-points score in “Climate Action Performance”. This success demonstrates university’s internationally qualified initiatives on the fight against climate change, environmental responsibility, and sustainable campus policies. BEUN’s success in climate action, environmental sensitivity, and sustainable development was not limited to one field, but reflected on the rise in university’s ranking on a global scale. One of the most concrete examples of this rise in rankings is the significant success in UI GreenMetric.

Steady Rise in UI GreenMetric: 32nd in Türkiye, 290th in the World

In the UI GreenMetric rankings, which evaluate green campus practices, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University rose to the 32nd place in Türkiye, and 290th in the world as of 2025. BEUN’s rise in the last three years is remarkable:

In 2023, among 1182 universities, 575th in the world, 54th in Türkiye

In 2024, among 1476 universities, 444th in the world, 42nd in Türkiye

In 2025, among 1745 universities, 290th in the world, 32nd in Türkiye

Ranking 32nd in the “Green University” Indicator, BEUN showed remarkable success in the majority of the indicators in the field of sustainability. These results demonstrate that the university considers environmental responsibility and social benefit as the main part of its institutional vision.

In addition, BEUN’s GreenMetric score rose steadily from 6110 in 2023, to 6935 in 2024, and 7785 in 2025. This table demonstrates that Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University has improved green sustainability performance steadily in the global higher education environment. 

A Strong Increase across 13 Sustainable Development Goals in THE Impact Rankings

Achieving a great success in 2025 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings when compared to the previous years, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University increased its performance in 13 of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). This result proves that sustainability focused policies of this university and multi-dimensional institutional efforts have a place on the international scale.

In line with the success, BEUN ranked 11th in the “Life Below Water” category, 15th in “Affordable and Clean Energy” category, 25th in “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions” category, and 26th in “Sustainable Cities and Communities” category in Türkiye.

BEUN ranked in the 201-300 band in “Climate Action”, “Life Below Water”, and “Affordable and Clean Energy” categories; in the 301-400 band in “Responsible Consumption and Production” category; and in 401-600 band in “Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions” category across the world.

In an environment where competition increases every day, in THE Impact Rankings, which evaluates more than 2000 universities, BEUN kept its steady increase being in the 801-1000 band.

Green Campus, Clean Energy, and Sustainability Focused Practices

Carrying out successfully for more than 10 years and being re-elected as Green-Metric National Coordinator of Türkiye, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University continues to lead the way in promoting the widespread adoption of environmentally friendly and sustainable campus practices across Türkiye.

Carbon release that is equal to the effect of 641 trees was prevented thanks to the zero waste practices, campaigns carried out to collect plastic waste, and solar energy system built on the dining hall building on Farabi Campus. The fight against climate change was also supported with a green roof project carried out in the Faculty of Engineering on 2200 square meters. 9 electric car charging stations established on 15 Temmuz Şehitler and İbni Sina campuses contribute to the process of integrating sustainable environmental approach both at university and the country.

 

In addition, the University continues to add value to academic production and the development of social awareness through nationally and internationally organized events such as FOCUS’24, the “Workshop on Women’s Employment in Local Development and the Green Treasury: Industrial Hemp”, the “National GreenMetric Türkiye Workshop”, the “Climate Change and Zero Waste Summit”, and the “Sustainable Development and the Filyos Project.”

Rector Özölçer: “We View Sustainability as an Integral Part of Our Institutional Culture”

In his assessment of the matter, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer emphasized that the achievements attained are the result of a long-term and well-planned vision, stating:

“As one of Türkiye’s most well-established higher education institutions, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University regards sustainability not merely as a ranking criterion, but as a fundamental institutional approach that shapes all our processes—from education and research to campus life and societal contribution. These meaningful achievements we have attained in the Council of Higher Education’s University Monitoring and Evaluation Reports, as well as in internationally respected assessment systems such as the THE Impact Rankings and UI GreenMetric, are the natural outcome of sustainability-oriented policies and determined institutional efforts prevailing at our University. With these thoughts and sentiments, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the President of the Council of Higher Education, Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and the esteemed  CoHE family, who continually guide us with their work prioritizing quality, vision, and sustainable development in higher education.”

“At the same time, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our academic and administrative staff, who are the architects of these achievements by transforming knowledge production into social benefit, as well as to all our students who act with sustainability awareness and show sensitivity toward their environment and future. As Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we will continue with determination to add value to our city, our country, and humanity through our environmentally conscious, accessible, inclusive, and human-centered university model, and to build a sustainable future alongside scientific production.”