World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI)

The World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), also known as World’s Universities with Real Impact, is an initiative managed by IPS Switzerland, sponsored by the Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU) and iSTAT. The first edition of the ranking was published in 2020.

The WURI focus on assessing how universities excel in generating real impact on society and industry through innovation.

To do so, the publishers analyse innovation projects and programmes carried out by universities worldwide. While institutions are encouraged to voluntarily submit projects or programmes for evaluation, the publishers also gather publicly accessible data to ensure the broadest and most representative selection of universities, projects and countries.

After the collection stage, projects and programmes are reviewed by a range of evaluators (including representatives from universities, academic networks and specialist publications) based on their innovation, applicability and impact.

Projects are assessed across a series of categories, grouped into two main areas. This edition featured the following: 

A) Innovation Target: Innovate for whom?  

For Students: A1. Student Support and Engagement (from the students’ point of view); A2. Student Mobility and Openness (from the students’ point of view).

For Industry: A3. Industrial Application; A4. Entrepreneurial Spirit.

For Society: A5. Crisis Management; A6. Ethics and Integrity.

For the Global Community: A7. Technology Development and Application; A8. SDG-based Responses to Global Challenges.

B) Innovation Means: Innovate how?

Leadership: B1. Visionary Leadership; B2. Empowerment-based Management.

Environment: B3. ESG Trend; B4. Culture/Values.

Resources: B5. Funding for Sustainability; B6. Infrastructure/Technologies.

Mechanisms: B7. Cost-Effectiveness Management; B8. University Brand and Reputation.