Historic Success for Fırat University: 10th in the World for Quality of Education

Stunning Leap in 2026 Impact Rankings

Fırat University, located in the city of Elazığ, Turkey, succeeded in surpassing thousands of higher education institutions to rank 10th in the world in the "Quality of Education" (SDG 4) indicator in the 2026 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. This success, recognized as the best ranking in the university's history, demonstrates the institution's deep commitment to international educational standards and sustainable development. [1][3]

While the university was in the 100-200 range globally in this indicator last year, it joined the top 10 universities in the world this year with a stunning leap. This ranking is based on criteria such as the university's contribution to lifelong learning, educational research, the number of first-generation students, and commitment to inclusive education. [2]

Brilliance in 8 Global Sustainable Development Indicators

Fırat University's success is not limited to the quality of education. According to the report published on June 25, 2026, the university succeeded in placing among the top 100 universities in the world in 8 different indicators related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Some of these brilliant rankings include: [2][3]

• Affordable and Clean Energy: 18th in the world
• Climate Action: 31st in the world
• Clean Water and Sanitation: 77th in the world
• Life Below Water: 77th in the world
• Sustainable Cities and Communities: 80th in the world
• No Poverty: 93rd in the world
• Reduced Inequalities: 96th in the world

This diversity in success shows that Fırat University has a multifaceted approach to its social and environmental responsibilities and acts as more than just an educational center. [3]

Rise at National and International Levels

In the Overall Ranking, Fırat University has reached the 201-300 range of the world's top universities, a significant climb from the 601-800 range last year. At the national level, the university rose 10 places, moving from 19th to 9th among all universities in Turkey. [1][2]

Professor Doctor Fahrettin Göktaş, Rector of Fırat University, attributed this success to the round-the-clock efforts of the academic staff, employees, and students. He emphasized that the university's next goal is to consolidate this position and move toward single-digit rankings in general indicators. This achievement is a great source of pride not only for the city of Elazığ but for the entire Turkish higher education system, significantly increasing the international prestige of the university's diplomas and academic degrees. [3][4]