assignments enables students to explore topics such as climate change, inequality and sustainable innovation, fostering socially responsible and impactful leadership.” Can you give a brief example of an initiative at your school that is designed to influence real‑world business practices? TechnoGroupService (TGS) on Greenaid, an initiative seeking to tackle desertification and restore ecological balance in the Aral Sea region by using solar technology. “Greenaid demonstrates how businesses can address pressing environmental challenges while ensuring financial feasibility and we have incorporated the initiative’s business case into our MBA curriculum. This allows students to analyse and propose strategies for scaling the project (with potential extensions to other endangered regions like the Caspian Sea and Lake Balkhash), empowering students to explore sustainable business models, circular economy strategies and climate-resilient solutions. Joep Konings “A good example is NUGSB’s collaboration with “By embedding such projects in our programmes, we equip future leaders with the tools and mindset to drive sustainable business practices globally.” programme derived from our MBA that helps Ukrainian refugees transfer their skills and experience to the Swiss job market. This is designed in a way that allows it to be delivered at 20 per cent of the usual price for a programme of this kind and so that it David Claivaz “We have just launched a short
strategies for companies adopting green innovations, improving waste management systems, or empowering local entrepreneurial ecosystems to support underrepresented groups such as women or rural communities. “Students are guided to collaborate with local and international organisations, including NGOs, start-ups and businesses focused on tackling societal challenges. Faculty mentors also provide support in identifying meaningful challenges, refining their approaches and creating actionable solutions. Additionally, we partner with industry experts and social enterprises to expose students to best practices in sustainable business. “These capstones go beyond academic requirements; they demonstrate how our students can drive positive change by applying business acumen to address issues such as climate resilience, poverty alleviation and social inclusion. By fostering such projects, NUGSB equips future leaders with the skills and mindset to balance profitability with purpose, creating lasting impact in their communities and beyond.” David Claivaz “We offer a sustainable business specialisation in our master’s and MBA programmes that include project-based internships in the field. We also have a wealth of MBA projects that connect new business models with sustainability and their recommendations are very often implemented in companies.” José Esteves “Sustainability is integrated into all programmes and courses at Porto Business School and MBA students can pursue an additional certification
in this area. In addition, initiatives such as the MBA Fellows programme, which places executive MBA students on the boards of NGOs, as well as experiential learning methodologies involving real-world projects with social impact, further highlight the school’s dedication to addressing social and environmental challenges.” Shahnaz Hamid “We empower students to address social and environmental challenges through innovative learning and practical projects. Our curriculum integrates sustainability and social impact concepts and encourages students to develop real-world solutions. Initiatives such as our upcoming business pitch competition offer a platform for entrepreneurial ideas that tackle pressing environmental and social issues that are supported by mentorship from the school’s experts. Additionally, our focus on research-driven “We just launched a programme that helps Ukrainian refugees transfer their skills and experience to the Swiss job market”
David Claivaz
24 Business Impact • ISSUE 1 • 2025
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