Business Professors Recognized by PRME for Innovative Pedagogy that Champions Sustainable Development

NEW YORK, 18 JUNE 2024 — Today, the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), an initiative of the UN Global Compact, awarded business and management school faculty in the United States, Brazil, Hungary, and India with the 2024 PRME Faculty Teaching Award for their excellence in teaching sustainable development and responsible management practices in business education.

The Award honors impactful pedagogical innovations that accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across a variety of business school disciplines: management; accounting and finance; marketing; and operations and analytics. Submissions were received from over 800 institutions in more than 90 countries from PRME’s extensive community of business and management schools. Many of the submissions showcased an array of classroom interventions demonstrating creativity, thoughtfulness, pedagogical excellence, and a profound commitment to equipping students with the skills needed to drive sustainable development forward.

A select group of disciplinary experts from PRME schools formed the judging committee and chose five winners based on classroom interventions that demonstrated impactful pedagogical work, which contributed to advancing the SDGs, promoted student skill development, and established relevance across disciplines. The committee also looked for submissions that demonstrated alignment with the goals of PRME’s Impactful Five (i5) pedagogical framework.

"The quality of this year's submissions was truly exceptional, reflecting a profound commitment to integrating sustainable development into business education," said Dr. Omid Aschari, Senior Advisor at PRME. "The innovative teaching methods and impactful projects presented by these educators are truly inspiring and set a new standard for excellence in our field."

The Faculty Teaching Award winners were selected for their innovative and impactful contributions to education, which have significantly enhanced student learning and personal development. These educators have implemented programs and teaching methods that go beyond traditional classroom instruction, incorporating immersive experiences, practical applications, and reflective practices. Their approaches not only prepare students for successful careers but also emphasize the importance of ethical leadership, sustainability, and meaningful engagement with societal challenges. By fostering critical thinking, collaboration, and empathy, the awardees have created transformative educational experiences that inspire students to become thoughtful and responsible leaders.

The awardees and their interventions recognized at the virtual 2024 PRME Global for their contributions to advancing sustainability education in business and management schools worldwide included:

Accounting & Finance: Lucy U. Diala, California State University, Fresno, USA

Lucy Diala of California State University, Fresno, implemented an innovative case study in large accounting classes to teach students to think like managers, collaborate effectively with teams, and find meaning, impact and relevance in learning business accounting. Her dedication to the students and commitment to a teaching philosophy well aligned with PRME’s i5 framework, and is inspiring to the academic community as a whole and set her apart as a forward thinker and a transformative educator.

Management: Andy Hoffman, Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, USA

Andrew Hoffman of the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan was selected under the management discipline for his "Management as a Calling" program due to its profound impact on students' personal and professional development. This program distinguishes itself through its immersive offsite retreats, where students participate in reflective exercises, mindfulness practices, and community engagements to formulate personal mission statements. That mission orientation then gets weaved into the students’ understanding of traditional management practices done differently. Overall, the program's commitment to excellence in education prepares students not only for successful careers but also for lives enriched with meaning and ethical leadership.

Management: The Business Administration School of São Paulo at the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV EAESP), Brazil

1. Fernanda Carreira

2. Ricardo Barretto

3. Mayara Souza

4. Julia Pacheco

5. Gabriela Alem

6. Marcio Halla

The "Sustainable Leadership: The Rainforest Perspective" program offered by FGV EAESP pioneered an innovative integration of the SDGs and experiential learning in leadership education. By immersing MBA students in the Amazon rainforest and surrounding territories, emphasizing community-based tourism, indigenous wisdom, and alternative organizational models, the program challenges traditional leadership models. Students gain first-hand insights into complex sustainability issues through reflective activities and dialogues with local leaders, inspiring them to rethink their roles as future leaders. The program's emphasis on empathy, collaboration, and environmental stewardship equips students with the skills and mindsets needed to address global challenges. It also represents a paradigm shift in leadership education, pushing the boundaries of conventional approaches and empowering students to create positive change in the world.

Marketing: Corvinus University of Budapest, Hungary

1. Katalin Ásványi

2. Réka Matolay

3. Márta Frigyik

The Community-Engaged Research and Learning approach offered by Corvinus University demonstrates the innovative integration of academic inquiry with societal needs by fostering meaningful collaboration among students, educators, and local partners. By enhancing digital competencies, this approach ensures mutual benefits, addressing real-world issues through co-created knowledge and experiential learning. Furthermore, the approach enriches students' educational experiences by showcasing partnerships beyond individual projects and providing not only valuable insights but also solutions to pressing societal challenges. Overall, this approach exemplifies impactful and sustainable educational practice, making it a standout team-based candidate for recognition.

Operations & Analytics: P Balasubramanyam, Goa Institute of Management, India

P Balasubramanyam from the Goa Institute of Management, attempts to satisfy and exemplify the i5 criteria by merging the SDGs with innovative teaching methods to enrich student learning. His approach incorporates critical topics such as sustainable marketing and customer development, highlighted through practical examples from companies like Tesla and Whirlpool. This helps to connect theoretical knowledge with real-world applications. Overall, his approach integrates critical thinking, sustainability, and active learning into a transformative educational experience.

This year's recipients have consistently integrated sustainability principles into their teaching methods, emphasizing critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and a strong sense of societal and environmental responsibility. Their efforts not only enhance student learning but also play a crucial role in advancing the SDGs worldwide.