"Inclusion" measures the extent to which a university – both as an employer and as a place of study – is committed to equal opportunities and the rights of people with disabilities, among other things. With regard to both groups, i.e. students and staff with disabilities, the University achieved an excellent result. Although the number of participants in this category has increased by over 20 per cent (to 1,108 universities), the University of Passau has moved into the top 100 of universities worldwide, in 97th place. The University also made it into the top 15 per cent of universities worldwide in the "Quality Education" category.
"This highly pleasing result is a testament to our efforts to sustainably implement diversity and equal opportunities as a university-wide objective at the university. Having successfully undergone the "Vielfalt gestalten" ("Shaping Diversity") Audit earlier this year under the coordination and with substantial input from the Diversity and Gender Equality Unit, we also discovered that [Passau's] university community is committed to being an inclusive university that has learnt to harness the potential of diversity. This is a great development for Passau, for which I would like to offer my warmest congratulations", said Professor Christina Hansen, Vice President for International Affairs and Diversity of the University of Passau.
The University also achieved great results in the top 25 percent worldwide in the areas of "Sustainable Cities and Communities" and "Gender Equality". Equality, family-friendliness and sustainability are strategic goals of the University – and the appreciation and visibility gained are a validation of the University's efforts and commitment.
The THE University Impact Rankings assess efforts with regard to the 17 UN goals for sustainable development. The indicators in this ranking focus on the so-called Third Mission, i.e. the way in which universities contribute to society in addition to research and teaching, how they transfer knowledge and technology, and how they fulfil their role model function for good working conditions, compliance with gender equity and diversity standards and environmental action.
"If our 'third mission' includes further improvements in the area of sustainability in the future, then both fields will benefit", said Professor Werner Gamerith. "A sustainable knowledge transfer, like the 'Third Mission', is on an equal footing with research and teaching."
The sixth survey of the THE Impact Ranking clearly shows that the Third Mission is playing an increasingly important role. After growth rates of between 30 and 50 percent in the early years, the number of participating universities has most recently increased by another 23 percent. In the overall ranking of all criteria taken together, the University remains in the 601–800 group despite the strong increase in competition. The University of Passau's "overall score" was maintained at a consistently high level compared to both previous years.