INSIDER INSIGHT
projects that translate sustainability concepts into practical outcomes. “One faculty member, for example, played a key role in an Indo-German expert mission on climate finance and forest carbon credits under the German Development Ministry’s Diaspora2030 programme. Another founded the Mirin Climate Centre, which currently manages more than 130,000 hectares of forest conservation in India under the climate mitigation framework, REDD+.” Jako Volschenk “Given our context in South Africa, we focus on multiple aspects of sustainability. Areas of particular emphasis in our research include carbon tax policy, regenerative agriculture, climate services, environmental co-opetition and social aspects of ecological crises.” Catherine Tilley “From a teaching point of view, we think it’s important for everyone to have a broad understanding of the topic at undergraduate level and we then offer specialist modules for students who want to deepen their knowledge. At postgraduate level, we include modules on sustainability in our MSc in International Management and our executive MBA and we have a specialist MSc in ESG (environmental, social and governance) Management. “From a research point of view, creating sustainable and socially responsible business is one of the school’s four ‘knowledge frontiers’ and within that the Centre for Sustainable Business looks at sustainable consumption; sustainable business systems; sustainable finance; and leading for sustainability. But we also touch on issues of sustainability in its broadest sense through our
business and development finance degrees focus on the role of business and policies, they also accentuate businesses’ moral responsibility to respond to sustainability challenges and even focus on regenerative practices.” Sustainability is a hugely wide-ranging topic. Are there any areas within it that your school currently specialises in? Shahid Amjad “IoBM focuses on sustainability through teaching, research and community outreach in the following areas: environment and energy management; Islamic finance and ethical investment; the circular economy; and digital sustainability via a paperless transformation partnership with Huawei. These areas align with SDGs 12 and 13 and represent IoBM’s commitment to building an integrated, interdisciplinary sustainability ecosystem.”
Phungmayo Horam “Our core strength lies in integrating sustainability with responsible management, innovation and the transformation of small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs). Beyond establishing a dedicated SME research centre, our faculty lead high-impact “By far our biggest impact is through empowering students to be responsible leaders in their own environments” Jako Volschenk
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Business Impact • ISSUE 4 • 2025
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