In a landmark achievement for the nation's higher education sector, Villa College has entered the global top 100 for Quality Education (SDG4) in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026. The College secured joint 82nd place out of 1,335 institutions in this category and improved its overall standing to the 301-400 global band among 1,603 participating institutions worldwide, up from the 401-600 band in 2026.

This achievement also positions Villa College as the highest-ranked higher education institution in the Maldives, further strengthening its position as the nation's leader in higher education and reaffirming its commitment to delivering quality education and contributing to sustainable development.

The THE sustainability Impact Ratings are widely recognised as the most comprehensive global framework for assessing universities' contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These rankings evaluate performance across four critical dimensions: teaching, research, stewardship, and outreach, offering a holistic view of an institution's real-world impact.

Villa College submitted data in five SDG categories and recorded year-on-year improvement or sustained strength in all of them:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being - Placed in the 201-300 band of 1,254 institutions, the College's largest single advance, rising from the 601-800 band in 2025.

• SDG 4: Quality Education - Ranked joint 82nd of 1,335 institutions, a place in the global top 100 secured for the first time, up from the 101-200 band a year earlier.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality - Placed in the 201-300 band of 1,095 institutions, sustaining its standing from the previous year.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions - Placed in the 101-200 band of 914 institutions, within the top quarter globally, up from the 201-300 band in 2025.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals - Placed in the 201-300 band of 1,610 institutions worldwide, maintaining a strong established position.

According to the institution, this achievement not only marks a milestone for Villa College but also reflects the growing presence and ambition of Maldivian higher education on the international stage. Reaching the global top 100 in a core academic category, while advancing across several others in a single cycle, points to the depth of the College's progress rather than strength in one isolated area.

Dr Ali Najeeb, Vice Rector of Villa College, attributed the result to the collective effort of the institution's students and staff. "This is the result of the hard work of Villa College's students and staff together. Achieving such significant progress in a single year reflects the priority we place on quality education and sustainable development. We will remain committed to creating positive social impact and bringing about meaningful change in the society." he said.

Villa College's standing in the THE Sustainability Impact Rantings reflects its alignment with global standards in education and sustainable development. For future students, a place in the global top 100 for Quality Education adds international weight to a Villa College qualification, supporting recognition in a competitive global job market and offering access to quality, practice-oriented learning in a globally relevant context.