FIVE universities in the Philippines, led by the University of the Philippines, have entered the latest world rankings of the United Kingdom-based Quacquarelli Symonds.

The University of the Philippines holds the highest position among Philippine schools at 231st, an improvement from its previous ranking in the 401st spot.

Ateneo de Manila University secured the second spot at 593th.

De La Salle University followed at the 981-1000 bracket and the University of Santo Tomas at 1001-1050.

Mapua University also made its debut in the rankings, landing in the 1201+ spot.

The QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2024 features 1,397 institutions across 95 countries and territories, more than double the number featured in last year’s pilot edition.

Institutions were evaluated across three categories: Environmental Impact, Social Impact, and Governance, with each category broken down further into several indicators.

The ranking evaluates the social and environmental impact of universities as centers of education and research, as well as major employers with the operational sustainability challenges of any large and complex organization.

“Sustainability provides students with a unique lens through which institutions are demonstrating a commitment to a more sustainable existence. More than just the commitment, it looks for outward evidence of this – from the impact that alumni are making in science and technology to solve climate issues to the impact of research being done across the UN’s 17 sustainable development goals,” QS added.