Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University (BEUN) achieved another significant success in the 2026 Impact Rankings announced by the Times Higher Education (THE), one of the world's most prestigious higher education ranking organizations.
Having been placed in the 1001+ band in the global rankings in 2022, BEUN rose to the 601–800 band in the THE Impact Rankings 2026 and achieved its best result in recent years. BEUN also ranked among the top 10 universities in Türkiye in the Climate Action category, while making it to the world's top 300 universities in the Reduced Inequalities and Life Below Water categories.
Remarkable Rise in a Year
In the rankings where universities’ performances on education, research, social contribution, and sustainability in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, BEUN recorded a remarkable rise both in Türkiye and around the world.
Placing in the 801-1000 band in the rankings including 2318 universities across the world in 2025, BEUN rose up to 601-800 band among 1603 universities in 2026 and demonstrated a significant rise.
Rising to 28-37 band in 2026 from 34-45 band the previous year, the university further strengthened its position.
Among Most Successful Universities in Türkiye in Climate Action
BEUN’s most outstanding success was in the “Climate Action”, which is among the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
BEUN stood out with its success in the Climate Action category. Ranking in the 201-300 band in 2025, BEUN rose up to 101-200, strengthening its international position in this category. Placing in the 7-8 band in Türkiye, the university ranked among most successful higher education institutions.
This result proved that BEUN’s environmental sustainability, climate awareness, and green campus initiatives were recognized on the international level.
Strong Performance in Reducing Inequalities and Life Below Water
While ranking in the 401-600 band across the world in 2025, BEUN rose in the Reducing Inequalities category to 201-300 band reaping the rewards of its efforts. BEUN was placed in the 10-27 band in Türkiye.
BEUN demonstrated its success in the Life Below Water category, as well. Placing in the 201-300 band in 2025, BEUN sustained its success in 2026 and continued with its outstanding performance by ranking in the 13-18 band in Türkiye.
Among Türkiye’s Leading Universities in Many Categories
Ranking in the 801-1000 band in the world in the 2025 No Poverty category, BEUN was placed in the 30-44 band in Türkiye in 2026 and in 601-800 band in the world proving its position among the most successful universities both in Türkiye and the world.
Holding a position in the 401-600 band in the Zero Hunger Category in 2025, BEUN rose to the 301-400 band and raked in the 16-22 band in Türkiye mowing forward with its success in the sustainable food and social support policies.
Ranking in the 801-1000 band in the category of Decent Work and Economic Growth in 2025, BEUN advanced to 401-600 band demonstrating a significant rise and made it to the 19-27 band in Türkiye.
Advancing its position from 601-800 band to 401-600 in the Sustainable Cities and Communities category, BEUN managed to be in the 15-39 band in Türkiye.
Maintaining its strong position in the 301-400 band across the world in the Responsible Consumption and Production category, BEUN ranked in the 19-27 band in Türkiye.
Being in the 601-800 band in the category of Good Health and Well-Being in 2025, BEUN rose to the 401-600 band in 2026. Ranking in the 20-33 band in Türkiye, BEUN demonstrated its strong performance in the field of health services, health research, and health activities for the society.
Maintaining its strong position in the 401-600 band in the world and 20-42 band in Türkiye in the Clean Water and Sanitation category, BEUN was placed in the 19-28 band in the Affordable and Clean Energy.
BEUN also recorded an improvement in the Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure category, rising from the 401–600 band in the world rankings in 2025 to the 301–400 band in 2026. In Türkiye, the University ranked within the 22–30 range, demonstrating that its research, innovation, and technology-oriented efforts are receiving greater international recognition.
In the Life on Land category, the University improved its global ranking from the 401–600 band to the 301–400 band, while ranking within the 17–26 range in Türkiye.
In the Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions category, BEUN was ranked within the 31–55 range in Türkiye, while placing within the 46–72 range nationally in the Partnerships for the Goals category.
Similarly, BEUN recorded notable progress in the Quality Education category, ranking within the 23–27 range in Türkiye. While it was placed in the 1001–1500 band globally in 2025, the University rose to the 301–400 band in 2026, achieving one of its most significant advances in recent years.
BEUN also made a substantial leap in Gender Equality, ranking within the 24–41 range in Türkiye. Globally, the University advanced from the 1001–1500 band in 2025 to the 401–600 band in 2026, demonstrating the success of its inclusive and equality-oriented university policies.
Steady Progress Over Five Years
An examination of BEUN’s performance in recent years reveals that its upward trajectory in sustainability continues.
Having been ranked in the 1001+ band globally in both 2022 and 2023, BEUN advanced to the 801–1000 band in 2024 and 2025. In 2026, the University rose to the 601–800 band for the first time, achieving its best-ever result in the THE Impact Rankings over the past five years.
This progress demonstrates that BEUN’s comprehensive development across a wide spectrum of areas—from education and research to environmental sustainability and social impact—has gained international recognition.
Rector Özölçer: “This Achievement Is International Recognition of Our University’s Sustainable Development Vision”
Commenting on the THE Impact Rankings 2026 results, BEUN Rector Prof. Dr. İsmail Hakkı Özölçer stated that the achievement was the result of collective effort and a strong institutional vision, and made the following remarks:
“As Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, we view sustainability not only as a goal, but as a fundamental principle that lies at the heart of all our activities, from education and research to social contribution and environmental responsibility. The progress we have achieved in both the national and global rankings in the THE Impact Rankings 2026 is an important reflection of this understanding and of the determined efforts we have pursued for many years.
The rise of our university from the 801–1000 band in the world rankings in 2025 to the 601–800 band in 2026 is a concrete indicator of the consistent success of our sustainable development journey. In particular, our placement among the top ten universities in Türkiye in the Climate Action category demonstrates that our environmentally conscious and future-oriented university vision is being recognized at the international level.
I sincerely thank all our academic and administrative staff, researchers, students, and stakeholders who contributed to this achievement. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the President of the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar, and the esteemed YÖK family for their support throughout our university’s development process, during which we have continually renewed ourselves and stood out through our achievements.
Guided by the responsibility that comes with our century-long history, we will continue our efforts with the same determination and dedication to become a university that advances scientific productivity, social contribution, environmental awareness, and international visibility.”
