Building a Sustainable Future: What Are the SDGs and What Contribution Does RUDN University Make to Achieving Them?
The following goals have been set: ending poverty and hunger, good health and well-being, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable and clean energy, decent work and economic growth, industrialization, innovation and infrastructure, reduced inequalities, sustainable cities and communities, responsible consumption and production, climate action, life below water and life on land, peace, justice and strong institutions, and partnerships for the goals.
Our university is a leader among all 752 Russian universities in terms of its contribution to the UN strategy for sustainable development of humanity. In 2024, RUDN University ranked 2nd and was included in the TOP-5 universities of the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union) in terms of the quality of sustainable development management, according to a study by the National Rating Agency. In the global Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, we rank 1st in Russia in two SDGs: “Quality Education” and “Gender Equality.” We are also in the top 5 universities in the country in nine other SDGs. Furthermore, we have become one of seven Russian universities included in the first RAEX ranking in the field of sustainable development. Our university was awarded class AA, which indicates a very high level of activity in this area.
The Greenest
RUDN University takes environmental responsibility seriously. We rightfully hold 1st place among Russian universities and 22nd place in the world in the UI GreenMetric ranking, earning the title of “the greenest.” RUDN was the first in the country to receive accreditation for the verification of carbon reporting, climate projects, and carbon footprint, as well as for the validation of climate projects across 27 types of economic activities. Since 2017, the university has been implementing a project to measure the environmental situation on campus and around the university, with year-round monitoring of air, soil, and vegetation conditions.
RUDN University has adopted energy-saving technologies. The share of building floor space that has undergone energy audits is 100%. The university has implemented measures to reduce heating and water consumption costs, thanks to which water consumption decreased by 24,000 m³ in 2024 compared to 2023. The university has also introduced a waste separation system and sends approximately 3,000 tons of waste for recycling annually.
RUDN staff and students also contribute and actively participate in waste paper collection. In 2023, more than 30 tons of paper were collected; in 2024, more than 37 tons; and in 2025, around 37 tons have already been collected. This translates to
In 2025, scientists at the RUDN Institute of Ecology developed the first university standard for determining environmental indicators of sustainable development.
Cutting-edge research
Over the past year, RUDN University scientists have published more than 1,930 articles in the field of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The majority of these are in the field of medicine. Over 600 articles are dedicated to SDG 3: “Good Health and Well-being.”
For example, the research area of scientists from the Institute of Medicine, including PhD Timur Fatkhudinov, Andrey Elchaninov, and PhD Andrey Makarov, covers cell biology, inflammation, regeneration, and oncogenesis, as well as the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in molecular and cellular medicine. The research team has developed a prototype biomedical cell product for immunocellular therapy aimed at increasing the effectiveness of treatment for socially significant diseases, including cancer. The scientists obtained results from in vitro and in vivo disease models that confirm the potential of macrophages in the therapy of tumor processes: the obtained native and polarized macrophages can be used both as a therapeutic agent and as a vehicle for delivering anticancer drugs to the tumor formation site.
However, it is not only research that helps RUDN University achieve SDG 3. The university runs a program called “Healthy Student, Healthy Employee,” under which staff members receive free check-ups from men’s and women’s health specialists. And starting this year, they can also take a free course of 10 psychological counseling sessions. This is how the university cares for the health of its students and staff.
Returning to research, another popular area focuses on SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). In 2024, RUDN scientists prepared 220 articles on this topic. For instance, a study from the Institute of Ecology is dedicated to developing innovative methods for crop management based on artificial intelligence. The researchers successfully developed innovative models that predict fungal damage to plants using spectral reflectance data and laboratory analysis of leaves. The models are based on machine learning algorithms and are capable of accurately determining the extent of infection from images obtained by drones or satellites. This approach will allow agronomists to identify disease hotspots in advance, save time and resources, and apply fungicides only where truly necessary. This will reduce the environmental burden and increase production efficiency. Furthermore, the developed technologies could become part of “smart” monitoring systems that integrate satellite data, sensors on equipment, and software solutions for precision agriculture.
Quality Education
RUDN University has also achieved great success in the area of SDG 4 “Quality Education.” The university offers more than 800 educational programs, including those focused on such SDG-related topics as “Food Security,” “Energy- and Resource-Saving Processes in Chemical Technology,” “Environmental and Sustainable Development Expertise,” “Discrimination and Gender Issues in Modern International Law,” and others.
Our students study 14 world languages, and 72 programs at the university are taught in English, French, Chinese, and Spanish. Joint master’s programs and other projects are being implemented with Sber, Alfa-Bank, X5, and other strategic partners of the university. RUDN has more than 250 cooperation agreements with foreign universities and research centers, as well as 176 joint international educational programs. Academic exchanges, internships, research collaborations — the university’s international activities are everywhere. SDG 4 is also one of the research areas for RUDN scientists. Last year, more than 120 scientific articles were published on this topic, and over 20 research and development projects were completed.
Digitalization of processes also plays a major role in ensuring the quality and accessibility of education. RUDN has a Digital Preparatory Faculty, thanks to which thousands of international students have learned Russian and prepared for admission to Russian universities. Additionally, the university has its own One-stop center, providing more than 95 types of services — from dormitory rental agreements to migration registration for international students and visa extensions.
The university’s mobile app includes features essential for students, such as a digital pass, a personal portfolio with academic performance, class schedules, and an electronic grade book. For teachers, the app offers convenient electronic grade sheets and an electronic journal of student attendance and grades.
The university has over 200 laboratories for conducting various experiments, research, and preparing scientific publications. These include a VR laboratory at the Engineering Academy, where students can work with modern 3D projects in mechanical engineering, architecture, mining, and transportation. They can also prepare and defend their course papers and graduation papers with clear visual presentations in a fully immersive virtual space. Furthermore, more than 1,300 companies cooperate with RUDN regarding graduate employment. Students have numerous opportunities to intern at public and governmental organizations, industrial enterprises, and state and private clinics. This includes preparing their graduation papers on real projects and company tasks, with the prospect of subsequent employment.
Our university rightfully holds leading positions in the global educational and scientific landscape. One could speak endlessly, without exaggeration, about RUDN University’s contribution to achieving the SDGs. This is not just rhetoric, but real achievements confirmed by international experts.
It has become a good tradition to organize and host the International Scientific Conference “For the Sustainable Development of Civilization: Cooperation, Science, Education, Technology” on RUDN University’s campus every November. The conference serves as a platform for exchanging experience and developing practical solutions to achieve the SDGs.
The key theme for 2025 is the fulfillment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals by the CIS member states by 2030
In the last five years, academic staff of RUDN alongside the Chinese universities and research centers has achieved impressive results. More than 1,000 scientific publications were made jointly in a wide spectrum from engineering and technology to medicine and social sciences. 19 of these materials were published in top-rated journals which verifies that the works were world-class level.
RUDN University has been included among the leaders in the BRICS ESG University Ranking among 65 leading universities. They were assessed on 20 criteria, ranging from education and research to environmental and social agendas.
At a meeting of the new RUDN University Dissertation Council in the specialties of 2.1.12 鈥淎rchitecture of Buildings and Structures. Creative Concepts of Architectural Activity鈥� and 2.1.11 鈥淭heory and History of Architecture, Restoration and Reconstruction of Historical and Architectural Heritage鈥�, three postgraduate students 鈥� Natalia Kalinina, Evgeny Ogienko, and Yulia Loginova 鈥� were awarded PhD degrees in Architecture for the first time in the university's history.