contribute to a more responsible and ethical business ecosystem. The question then arises of how business schools can most e ectively nurture and develop these attributes in their students. Curriculum: Postgraduate programmes can weave ESR concepts into their core curriculum to ensure students get a well-rounded education that combines traditional business knowledge with sustainability principles. For example, Harvard Business School integrates ESR concepts into most of the core elements of its MBA curriculum though its Business & Environment Initiative. Woxsen University School of Business curricula, meanwhile, adhere to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education in their emphasis on ethics, responsibility and sustainability. The school’s faculty also comprises experts in areas aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as sustainable energy economics, clean water and inequality. Interdisciplinary approach: ESR issues are multifaceted and degree programmes can encourage interdisciplinary learning by o ering joint courses or collaborations with departments focused on environmental studies, social sciences and engineering. The University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business even o ers a dual-degree programme combining an MBA with an MSc in Environment and Sustainability through its Erb Institute. Real-world projects: To bridge theory and practice, programmes can include real-world case studies and projects related to ESR. At Stanford Graduate School of Business, for example, taking part in a global experience is a mandatory part of the MBA’s experiential learning, with numerous opportunities to undertake projects focused on sustainability and social impact. Along these lines, Woxsen and Monmouth University collaborate on the Woxsen- Monmouth Elevate Programme – a six-month social impact project dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged students in Telangana. Guest lectures and industry partnerships: Inviting guest speakers from ESR-focused organisations and collaborating with industry partners exposes students to real-world challenges. Yale School of Management, for example, features guest speakers from socially responsible organisations as part of its Programme on Social Enterprise, Innovation
and Impact. At Woxsen, we have developed the talk-show style Global Forum as a platform for debate on complex issues impacting professionals and organisations around the world. Leadership development programmes: Specialised leadership development courses within a degree programme can focus on ESR. The Wharton School’s Leadership Ventures course, for instance, allows students to engage in hands-on experiences that address global challenges, including ESR. Similarly, Woxsen University aims to o er students opportunities to participate in social initiatives that broaden their horizons and create a positive impact. One such initiative is Project Aspiration, designed to empower female school students in challenging social circumstances. Woxsen’s students also manage the Hyderabad chapter of Street Cause, an organisation dedicated to the social upliftment of rural India. Sustainability specialisation pathways: Many business school programmes o er specialised pathways, such as Kellogg School of Management’s Energy & Sustainability pathway, which guides students who are interested in leading enterprises in natural resource-based industries (especially energy, food and agriculture and mobility) while emphasising sustainability in business. Global perspective: ESR knows no borders, so there is rich potential in the inclusion of international immersion experiences. Insead’s Community Impact
34 Business Impact ISSUE 4 2023
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