Celebrating 1 Year of PRME Membership – Ulster University Business School
Ulster University Business School (UUBS) is proud to celebrate its first year as a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) – a global initiative backed by the United Nations that aligns business and management education with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This milestone marks a year of impactful progress and collaboration through our Sustainability Committee, a dedicated group at the heart of driving change and ensuring that sustainability principles are woven into the fabric of everything we do.
Over the past year, our commitment to sustainability and responsible leadership has been demonstrated through a range of bold initiatives, learning experiences, and thought leadership platforms, on Thursday 8th May we will celebrate PRME and Sustainability at our annual Conference in Belfast!
Empowering Innovation for a Better Future
Our flagship event, the Sustainable Innovation & Impact Opportunities Masterclass, led by Dr. Shirley Davey, welcomed 80 attendees and featured five expert guest speakers. The session provided a dynamic platform for exploring the intersection of sustainability, entrepreneurship, and innovation, equipping participants with practical strategies to create positive social and environmental impact.
Leading the Way in Sustainable Hospitality
We are incredibly proud that The Academy Restaurant at UUBS has become the first on the island of Ireland to achieve Green Key Certification, setting a new standard for sustainable practices in the education and hospitality sectors. This achievement reflects our commitment to real-world, measurable change and showcases sustainability in action.
Measuring Impact: SDG Dashboard Growth
In just one year, 551 initiatives have been mapped to our SDG dashboard, providing a clear picture of how UUBS contributes to global goals. This tool is instrumental in tracking our progress and celebrating the collective impact of students, staff, and partners.
Developing Sustainable Leaders
Through the PRME Sustainable Leadership Programme, we’ve engaged 43 students in an experiential journey toward responsible leadership. The programme empowers future business leaders to critically examine the challenges of sustainability and to build the skills necessary to lead ethically and effectively.
Elevating Student Voice: Writing Competition
This year also saw the launch of our Inaugural PRME Sustainability Student Writing Competition, encouraging students to reflect on key sustainability topics and share their ideas. This initiative supports critical thinking, writing skills, and amplifies the voices of our emerging changemakers.
Building Regional Connections: Sustainability Breakfast
Our UUBS Sustainability Breakfast, led by Judith Wylie, brought together 100 participants from across the region for meaningful dialogue and networking around sustainable business practices. Events like these strengthen our regional impact and foster collaboration beyond the university.
Expert Insights: Green Claims and Regulation
Another highlight was the “Building Trust in Sustainability: CMA Insights on Green Claims” session, featuring leading expert Cecilia Parker. This timely event addressed the crucial issue of transparency in sustainability communications and provided valuable guidance for businesses navigating evolving regulatory landscapes.
Pre-Loved Fashion Events
All proceeds going directly to Foyle Network – Foyle Food Bank, supporting our local community.
Sharing Knowledge: PRME Blog & Outreach
Our PRME blog continues to thrive as a hub for sharing insights, showcasing student and staff contributions, and extending the reach of our sustainability work. With a growing audience, the blog reflects the passion and innovation of the UUBS community and can be explored here: https://blogs.ulster.ac.uk/prme/
As we mark this important anniversary, we look forward to building on our momentum. The first year of PRME membership has been a foundation for future growth – and we remain committed to educating responsible leaders, fostering sustainable innovation, and making a meaningful impact locally and globally.
Learn more about our work and join the journey: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/sustainability