SPJIMR, XLRI and GIM recognised as pioneering schools in Positive Impact Rating 2021

Three Indian institutes the S P Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), XLRI - Xavier School of Management and Goa Institute of Management (GIM) have all achieved the highest level as “Pioneering” schools in the Positive Impact Rating 2021 report launched at the UN PRME Global Forum.

The University of Business and Technology Kosovo also achieved this level, as the social impact levels of 46 business schools from 21 countries were announced.

The Positive Impact Rating (PIR) is a rating conducted by students and for students. For the second time, students worldwide assessed their business schools on how they perceive their positive impact in the world. The positive impact of business schools goes beyond their contribution to business and the economy; it addresses the need for their positive impact for society.

According to a release issued by Bhavan’s SPJIMR, the institute was recognised for its innovative community-based actions, environmental and socially responsible culture and governance, and a strong teaching focus on responsible leadership.

PRME stands for the Principles of Responsible Management Education, a United Nations-supported initiative founded in 2007 as a platform to raise the profile of sustainability in schools around the world. PIR is an annual global rating and a non-profit association founded by the World Wildlife Fund, Oxfam International and the United Nations Global Compact, Switzerland.

The PIR report released today said the top-rated schools “perform solidly” across the seven dimensions that were measured in the student survey – governance, culture, programmes, learning methods, student support, institution as a role model and public engagement.

The PIR report specifically cited several SPJIMR initiatives under its best practices case studies. It named the pioneer Development of Corporate Citizenship (DOCC) initiative, through which students engage with grassroots organisations to “listen, learn and develop solutions”.

The report also named the ‘Abhyudaya’ initiative through which participants mentor underprivileged school children, the ‘Ehsaas’ platform for social sector organisations to showcase and sell their products and the sports and culture event ‘Aasra’ that has participation from the differently abled.

XLRI on its part became the only Business School in the world to have moved up from Level 3 (progressing schools) to the topmost Level 5(Pioneering Business Schools) within a year, the institute said in a statement.

Fr. Paul. Fernandes, S.J Director, XLRI - Xavier School of Management, Jamshedpur commented: “For over seven decades, XLRI has steadfastly held on to its mission of proffering world-class education and ethics-driven teaching while nurturing responsible global leaders for the greater common good and a sustainable future. The PIR rating inspires us to work more diligently towards attaining our vision and mission.”

Dr. Chandrika Parmar, SPJIMR faculty member who leads the Institute’s DOCC initiative, said, “The PIR rating validates and reinforces the work SPJIMR has done over the last two decades in embedding socially sensitivity as part of its curriculum and cultivating a sustainability mind-set among our students.”

Antonio Haulte, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Switzerland, Zurich Switzerland said: ”Business can be a force for good, and this is strengthened by students who are the next generation of business leaders. The PIR supports business schools to prioritize responsible management education – UN Global Compact and PRME principles strongly support these ambitions.”