Characterization of Ibero-American universities by SDG in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2020

An alternative to evaluate and compare the social and economic impact of universities in pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of United Nations (UN) is to measure metrics of Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. In 2020, it includes 128 Ibero-American universities out of 768 or 806 total universities, that figure will need to be clarified. This paper aims to analyze and compare, through a descriptive analysis, Ibero-American universities in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2020 in order to contrast performance of the institutions by SDG. 16.67% of Ibero-American universities classify in overall ranking and in SDG 17. 9.81% classifies in SDG 8. 9.68% in SDG 3. 7.69% in SDG 4.


Introduction
University rankings seeks to assess the quality of academic activities, production and dissemination of research and innovation papers, international collaboration, leadership, research cites, to name just a few [1] [2] [3] [4]. Times Higher Education Impact Rankings [5] and Times Higher Education World University Rankings [6] [7] present an annual classification of universities in the world after measure indicators which evaluate academic and research activity. The first measures social and economic impact of universities in pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [8] [9] of United Nations (UN), in three areas: research, outreach and stewardship. The second measures impact in Teaching, Research, Citations International Outlook and Industry Income [6] [7]. Both rankings allow institutions and governments to establish improvement strategies according to indicators.
University rankings classify according to an Overall value [10] [11], which originates a Rank. In case of THE Impact Rankings, each university obtains an Overall value product of the relation of their metrics of SDG 17 and, also, of three SDGs where obtained best scores [5] [12].
This research aims to analyze and compare, through a descriptive analysis, Ibero-American universities in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2020 [8] [12] ] in order to contrast performance of the institutions by SDG.

THE Times Higher Education SDGs
Sustainable Development Goals UN United Nations

The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings
THE Impact Rankings is published since 2019 by Times Higher Education Company (THE) to measure social and economic impact of universities in relation to 17 SDGs of UN [5] [8]. 2020 edition [5] [8] is the second annual edition, it includes 768 universities from 85 countries. However, this data is necessary to clarify, because in [13] publishes that there are 806 universities from 86 countries.
In the case of metrics by SDG, they are classified into categories. Research metrics are the result of data provided by Elsevier´s Scopus Database [12] [13] during the period 2014 to 2018. For each SDG, a specific query has been created that narrows the scope of the metric to papers relevant to that SDG. Continuous metrics measure contributions to impact that vary continually across a range. These are usually normalized to the size of the university. In the cases of policies and initiatives, metrics require supplying evidence on the part of this institution.

Comparison of indicators between universities in Top20 of THE World University Rankings 2020
Below is presented a descriptive analysis of Ibero-American universities in indicators related to 17 SDGs of UN in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2020 [8] [12]. Each university has an Overall value which places it in Rank.
3.1. Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 1: no poverty SDG 1 -no poverty measures universities' research on poverty and their support for poor students and citizens in the local community [14]. In this goal are included 372 universities of the world, 19 of them are from Ibero-America (5.10%). Fig. 2 shows 36.84% of Ibero-American universities with best scores by Rank in SDG 1 located in Rank 401-600 [12] [14].

Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 2: zero hunger
SDG 2 -zero hunger measures universities' research on hunger, their teaching on food sustainability and their commitment to tackle food waste and address hunger among students and local communities [15]. In this goal are included 290 universities of the world, 12 of them are Ibero-American (4.13%).

Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 3: good health and well-being
SDG 3good health and well-being measures universities' research on key diseases and conditions, their support for healthcare professions, and the health of students and staff [16]. In this goal are included 620 universities of the world, 60 of them are Ibero-American (9.68%). Fig. 4 shows, in SDG 3, 35% % of Ibero-American universities with best scores are located in Rank 401-600 [12] [16].

Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 4: quality education
SDG 4 -quality education measures universities' contribution to early years and lifelong learning, their pedagogy research and their commitment to inclusive education [17]. In this goal are included 676 universities of the world, 52 of them are Ibero-American (7.69%).  3.5. Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 5: gender equality SDG 5 -gender equality measures universities' research on the study of gender, their policies on gender equality and their commitment and promoting [18]. In this goal are included 547 universities of the world, 42 of them are Ibero-American (7.68%).  3.6. Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 6: clean water and sanitation SDG 6 -clean water and sanitation measures universities' research related to water, their water usage and their commitment to ensuring good water management in the wider community [19]. In this goal are included 330 universities of the world, 11 of them are Ibero-American (3.33%).

3.7.
Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 7: affordable and clean energy SDG 7 -affordable and clean energy measures universities' research related to energy, their energy use and policies, and their commitment to promoting energy efficiency in the wider community [20]. In this goal are included 361 universities of the world, 26 of them are Ibero-American (7.20%).

Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 8: decent work and economic growth
SDG 8 -decent work and economic growth measures universities' economics research, their employment practices and the share of students taking work placements [21]. In this goal are included 479 universities of the world, 47 of them are Ibero-American (9.81%). Fig. 9 shows 23.40 % of Ibero-American universities with best scores by Rank in SDG 8 located in Ranks 301-400 and 401-600 [12] [21]. In each Rank are located eleven universities. In Rank 301-400: Catholic University of Portugal (UCP-PT), University of Chile (UCHILE-CL), Comillas Pontifical University 1 Marisabel Luna Cardozo, 2 Gregorio Arroyo Japura, 3 Alfonso Renato Vargas-Murillo, 4 Gerber F. Incacari Sancho, 5 Hugo Ricardo Prado López 3.9. Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 9: industry, innovation and infrastructure SDG 9 -industry, innovation and infrastructure measure universities' research on industry and innovation, their number of patents and spin-off companies and their research income from industry [22]. In this goal are included 494 universities of the world, 13 of them are Ibero-American (2.63%).

Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 10: reduced inequalities
SDG 10 -reduced inequalities measures universities' research on social inequalities, their policies on discrimination and their commitment to recruiting staff and students from under-represented groups [23]. In this goal are included 458 universities of the world, 13 of them are Ibero-American (2.84%).  3.11. Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 11: sustainable cities and communities SDG 11sustainable cities and communities measures universities' research on sustainability, their role as custodians of arts and heritage and their internal approaches to sustainability [24]. In this goal are included 470 universities of the world, 17 of them are Ibero-American (3.61%).  3.12. Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 12: responsible consumption and production SDG 12 -responsible consumption and production measures universities' research on responsible consumption and their approach to the sustainable use of resources [25]. In this goal are included 360 universities of the world, 15 of them are Ibero-American (4.17%). Fig. 13 shows 40 % of Ibero-American universities with best scores by Rank in SDG 12 located in Rank 401-600 [12] [25].  3.13. Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 13: climate action SDG 13 -climate action measures universities' research on climate change, their use of energy and their preparations for dealing with the consequences of climate [26]. In this goal are included 376 universities of the world, 17 of them are Ibero-American (4.52%).    [28]. In this goal are included 268 universities of the world, 4 of them are Ibero-American (1.49%). Fig. 16 shows 50% of Ibero-American universities with best scores by Rank in SDG 15 located in Ranks 101-200 [12] [28]. They are two: EAFIT University (EAFIT-CO) and State University of Maringá (UEM-BR). Characterization of Ibero-American universities by SDG in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2020 698 3.16. Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 16: peace, justice and strong institutions SDG 16 -peace, justice and strong institutions measures universities' research on law and international relations, their participation as advisers for government and their policies on academic freedom [29]. In this goal are included 453 universities of the world, 32 of them are Ibero-American (7.06%). Fig. 17 shows 25% of Ibero-American universities with best scores by Rank in SDG 16 located in Ranks 301-400 [12] [29].  3.17. Ibero-American universities classified by SDG 17: partnerships for the goals SDG 17partnerships for the goals looks at the broader ways in which universities support the SDGs through collaboration with other countries, the promotion of best practices and the publication of data [13]. In ranking data appears a vagueness: on one side in [5] 768, and in [13] 806 universities of the world, 128 of them are Ibero-American (16.67%) adopting the first value as a reference. Fig. 18 Fig. 18. Percentage of Ibero-American universities with best scores by Rank in SDG 17partnerships for the goals in THE Impact Rankings 2020 [8] [12] [13].

Conclusions
University rankings predominantly classify universities by their production and scientific dissemination. In that sense, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings organizes universities in respect to compliance metrics related with research, outreached and stewardship of SDGs. 2020 edition included 768 or 806 universities in the world, 128 of them are Ibero-American divided in different ranks from Top100 to +601. In this paper, universities has been analyzed and compared, through a descriptive analysis, in order to contrast performance of the institutions by SDG. As a result highlights a participation of 16.67% of Ibero-American universities in Ranking and in SDG 17. In SDG 8decent work and economic growth is a highest percentage of participation of Ibero-American universities: 9.81%, there are included 479 universities of the world, 47 of them are Ibero-American. In second place SDG: 3good health and well-being has a participation of Ibero-American universities of 9.68% (from 620 universities in the world, 60 are Ibero-American). In third place, in SDG 4quality education is a participation of 7.69% of Ibero-American universities (from 676 universities in the world, 52 are Ibero-American).