Advancing Global Impact in Higher Education: A Framework for Synergizing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Strategic Internationalization in Higher Education Institution Coupled with the CHED ACHIEVE Agenda

Abstract

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are increasingly evaluated on their contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria alongside traditional academic metrics. This paper examines how global sustainability and innovation ranking frameworks can serve as strategic diagnostic tools to bridge the historical administrative divide between UN SDGs and institutional internationalization, aligning closely with the newly mandated Commission on Higher Education (CHED) ACHIEVE Agenda 2030 in the Philippines. We analyze the methodologies of reputable Tier 1 benchmarks, specifically the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability—which weights Environmental Impact at 45%, Social Impact at 45%, and Governance at 10% and contributes a 5% overall weight to core global ranking scores—and the Times Higher Education (THE) Sustainability Impact Ratings, which utilize Scopus bibliometrics to evaluate institutions across four pillars (Research, Stewardship, Outreach, and Teaching) using a scoring structure combining a mandatory SDG 17 (22%) with an institution's top three performing SDGs (26% each). These are contrasted with specialized Tier 2 frameworks, including the infrastructure-focused UI GreenMetric Sustainable University Rankings and the qualitative, peer-blind-reviewed World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI). We identify a critical gap in literature and practice where SDGs and strategic internationalization have historically operated in isolated, parallel silos. In response, this paper proposes a unified model of 'Sustainable Internationalization,' showing how national policy instruments, particularly CHED's ACHIEVE Agenda (focusing on Harmonized SDG-based Research and Expanded Internationalization), can be operationalized hand-in-hand. This framework provides HEI leadership with an actionable, phased strategic roadmap (Mapping, Governance, Documentation, and Submission) to simultaneously secure global institutional visibility and deliver verifiable, localized societal impact.