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in the global community. Through climate-centric events, research and new programmes like the MBA in sustainable innovation, LSBF fosters a culture of sustainability for both students and staff. Moreover, LSBF’s current courses, such as Carbon Management & Entrepreneurship, Corporate Governance & Ethics, Corporate Social Responsibility and Current Issues in Oil, Gas and Energy, integrate principles of sustainability, ethical governance and social responsibility into the core business curriculum. These courses ensure that students understand the economic, environmental and societal impacts of business decisions. LSBF’s new MBA programme, meanwhile, aims to equip graduates with the skills to address challenges related to sustainability and innovation. Students master technical language for discussions with international organisations, governmental institutions and NGOs, as well as learning to communicate innovative strategies clearly with various stakeholders. They are trained to be first-line managers for corporate diplomacy with a focus on sustainable business, to plan and manage innovative research on sustainable business models and to design creative strategies to tackle issues as they arise. By the end of the programme, students are able to self‑assess knowledge gaps and address them independently through reliable sources, ensuring continuous learning and adaptation in a constantly changing environment. At LSBF, students are actively engaged in initiatives that make a difference. For instance, the LSBF Café held in July focused on the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDGs). During this event, a brainstorming session and productive discussion took place between an academic presenter and three student speakers, exploring how individuals and the companies where our students work, as well as universities, can contribute to achieving the SDGs. This initiative empowers students to understand and act on global challenges, equipping them with the knowledge and motivation to drive sustainable change in both their professional and personal lives and act as responsible future leaders.
The school ensures that it equips its learners with resources and skills applicable in a global market. The invitation of professionals from a variety of fields facilitates the dissemination of insightful information at webinars and workshops, which allows students to link their objectives to practical career prospects. In an effort to enhance student success and retention, the student support team has implemented a low-activity report system. This monitors and identifies students with minimal engagement, enabling timely intervention and support. By tracking log-in frequency, participation in discussions, assignment submissions and interaction with course materials, the report identifies any students at risk of falling behind. Tutors can use the low-activity-report insights to reach out to at-risk students and the academic team can offer specific support tailored to each person’s needs, improving academic performance. Early detection of low engagement allows for timely intervention. This proactive approach has led to a 95 per cent student retention rate and an improved overall graduation rate, showcasing the school’s positive impact. Showing that sustainability matters Social responsibility is a prerequisite for continued growth and development in contemporary socio‑economic contexts. LSBF is dedicated to the promotion of ethical business practices and corporate social responsibility. Earlier this year, the school signed the Climate Action Network for International Educators (CANIE) accord, which highlights its dedication to sustainability and environmental conservation. As CANIE is an organisation dedicated to the prioritisation of climate action in the field of international education, joining the CANIE accord aligns LSBF with scientific recommendations and international climate agreements. By becoming a signatory, LSBF has demonstrated its commitment to responsible stewardship of the planet, signalling to students, partners and other stakeholders its dedication to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Membership also connects LSBF to a global network of international educators working towards ambitious climate goals. The school’s dedication to sustainability is also seen in the curriculum, which emphasises corporate responsibility and ethical governance, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to make waves
Shahnaz Hamid is the dean of the London School of Business and Finance, where she oversees both academic and administrative facets of the institution. She holds a doctorate in business administration (DBA) and has extensive international teaching and research experience. She recently received a jury award from COAE Global Awards for her contributions to the education sector
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Business Impact • ISSUE 3 • 2024
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