Signatory Spotlight: Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Maribor, Slovenia

At the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), University of Maribor, PRME Principles are embedded into our institution’s core strategy, ensuring a long-term commitment to responsible management education. Our Strategy of UM FEB (2022-2030) explicitly integrates sustainability and ethical principles across education, research, governance, and partnerships, with one of the key goals - to equip students with the knowledge and skills to tackle global challenges.This commitment is further reinforced by the faculty’s Social Responsibility Statement, which publicly affirms our values of integrity, transparency, inclusion, and sustainability. In addition, FEB has adopted a dedicated institutional policy document, the Strategy for Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development (2022–2025), which operationalizes these values and provides a structured framework for their implementation across all areas of faculty life.

Sustainability in Education

FEB integrates sustainability across all levels of study. A 2022 SDG mapping of the undergraduate program revealed that 72.4% of courses explicitly address societal well-being and sustainable business practices, and a content mapping in 2024 showed that approximately 78% of courses explicitly address societal well-being, sustainable development, ethics, or responsible business practices. All undergraduate students complete at least one sustainability-focused course.

Recent curricular updates include courses such as Corporate Governance and Strategic Management, Business Ethics and Organizational Culture, Sustainability Accounting, and Eco-Innovation, which align education with emerging trends such as green transition strategies, sustainable and digital business models, ESG performance integration, and tools for sustainability reporting and impact measurement. Experiential learning is enhanced through real-world case studies, industry collaborations, and guest lectures by sustainability professionals, ensuring students not only understand but actively apply sustainability concepts in business contexts..

Research & Social Impact

FEBs research agenda, as outlined in the Strategy of UM FEB and its internal Action plan, is strongly aligned with the PRME principles. In the period 2023–2025, 33% of doctoral dissertations and 10% of master's theses explicitly address themes related to sustainability, ethics, and responsible management. Furthermore, the content analysis of published research shows that 16% of original scientific articles in 2023 and 24% in 2024 focused on topics aligned with ESG principles and responsible management education.

The Research Ethics Committee at FEB ensures that all sustainability-related research adheres to the highest ethical standards, fostering responsible conduct among both faculty and students.

For over a decade, FEB has actively promoted student-led research and innovation projects that address real-world societal challenges. These projects are implemented through several structured programs—including PUŠ (Problem-Based Student Learning in the Work Environment), ŠIPK (Student Innovative Projects for the Benefit of Society), ŠI:UM (Student Challenges of the University of Maribor), PDŠ (Project Work for Gaining Practical Experience), and PKP (Creative Path to Knowledge). Each program connects students with public institutions, NGOs, and businesses, fostering collaboration between academia and the wider social and economic environment. A recent example comes from the PUŠ 2024–2027 initiative, where a student team collaborated with the Center for Social Work to develop an awareness campaign and digital tool promoting mental health and social inclusion among youth. The project directly supported SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), and served as a meaningful, hands-on learning experience where students translated theory into socially impactful practice.

These interdisciplinary projects offer students the opportunity to gain practical skills, work experience, and direct insight into potential employment settings, while applying the principles of responsible management, sustainability, and social innovation. Projects are implemented in small, focused groups and selection is based on student motivation, ensuring engaged and impact-driven participation.

Through these initiatives, FEB fosters a culture of active citizenship and responsible leadership, reinforcing its mission to develop graduates who are equipped to drive sustainable and ethical change across sectors.

Institutional Commitment & Global Engagement

FEB UM’s governance structures are deeply aligned with the PRME Principles, reflecting a systemic commitment to responsible management education. This alignment is evident through dedicated internal teams and steering groups that guide the integration of ethics, responsibility, and sustainability (ERS) across teaching, research, and institutional practices.

As part of this commitment, FEB holds the Socially Responsible Employer certification, awarded by the Ekvilib Institute, which recognizes excellence in organizational governance, work-life balance, inclusion, and employee development. In 2025, FEB was also awarded the Athlete-Friendly Education certificate by the Slovenian Olympic Committee, recognizing the faculty’s inclusive and flexible academic environment for student-athletes pursuing dual careers in education and elite sports. These recognitions underscore FEB’s dedication to ethical leadership, equity, and inclusion in higher education.

Our flagship initiatives such as the International Business Summer School in Sustainability and the annual International Scientific Conference on Sustainability provide platforms for global knowledge-sharing and cross-sector collaboration. These events convene academics, practitioners, and students from around the world to address pressing global challenges and explore innovative, responsible solutions.

FEB actively engages in regional and international partnerships, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for sustainable economic transformation through education, research, and outreach. This includes cooperation with industry, civil society, and academic networks, enhancing the real-world impact of our work.

In recognition of these efforts, FEB received the PRME Recognition of Excellence in Reporting for its inaugural Sharing Information on Progress (SIP) report, highlighting our transparency, leadership, and strong alignment with the SDGs.

By embedding the PRME Principles into our long-term institutional strategy, FEB ensures that sustainability is not just addressed at the course level but serves as a fundamental value system guiding how we educate future business leaders. Through innovative curriculum design, impact-driven research, and strategic collaborations, we empower students and faculty alike to become agents of change in building a more ethical, inclusive, and sustainable global economy.

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