Windhoek: The Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) has retained its position as Namibia's leading university in the 2026 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings, while improving its overall global standing.According to Namibia Press Agency, the university moved from the 1501+ band in 2025 to the 1001-1500 band in 2026, reflecting improved performance across several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). "For NUST, this achievement is more than a ranking outcome. It is external recognition of how the university's teaching, applied research, innovation, and partnerships are being translated into measurable value for society," it said.NUST recorded its greatest improvement in SDG 4 on Quality Education, moving from the 601-800 band to the 301-400 band. The university said the improvement was driven by practical curricula, work-integrated learning, public lectures, regional outreach, digital resources, and lifelong learning opportunities.The university also improved its ranking for SDG 1 on No Poverty, advancing from the 401-600 band to the 301-400 band through initiatives aimed at widening access to higher education, supporting vulnerable students, promoting entrepreneurship, and delivering community-centred innovation. Among the projects highlighted was the NUST-SEED Living Lab near Groot Aub, which has delivered a solar photovoltaic plant, a solar-powered borehole water pump, poultry facilities, marula seedlings, a bush-feed crushing machine, and a community garden to the !Kharoxas community.NUST also improved in SDG 17 on Partnerships for the Goals, moving from the 1001-1500 band to the 801-1000 band. "These results confirm that the university's impact story is rooted in real work: research that informs policy, education that builds skills, innovation that supports communities, and partnerships that turn ideas into practical solutions," it said.The university further entered the 401-600 band for SDG 5 on Gender Equality, which it said reflects growing momentum ar ound equity, inclusion, and opportunity.