Educating for Societal Impact: UUBS Highlights Responsible Management on the Global UN Stage
Ulster University is making significant strides on the global stage, with its commitment to responsible management education taking centre stage at the recent PRME Global Forum at the United Nations. Two key figures from Ulster University, Professor Una McMahon-Beattie and Dr Marc Duffy, were at the forefront, showcasing the institution’s dedication to sustainability and shaping the future of education for sustainable development.
The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Global Forum, a United Nations-backed initiative, serves as a crucial platform for educators, business leaders, and policymakers to discuss innovations and challenges in embedding sustainability within management education. Ulster University Business School (UUBS) is a proud signatory of PRME, marking a year of impactful progress and collaboration through its dedicated Sustainability Committee.
Professor Una McMahon-Beattie, Head of AACSB and Accreditation at Ulster University Business School, is a pivotal advocate for embedding sustainability in business education. Her insights on the importance of sustainability in business education have been instrumental in guiding Ulster University’s Business Schools strategic approach. Professor McMahon-Beattie has consistently highlighted the synergy between PRME principles and accreditation standards, ensuring that Ulster University’s commitment to responsible management aligns with the highest global benchmarks. Her participation in discussions surrounding “Accreditation, Rankings, and the SDGs: Aligning Business Education with Societal Impact” at the Global Forum have been invaluable, offering a unique perspective on how to integrate SDGs into reporting frameworks and navigate shifts in industry standards.
Reflecting on the importance of this alignment, Professor McMahon-Beattie stated,
“Our presence at the PRME Global Forum underscores how vital it is to embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals into the very fabric of business education. Aligning our accreditation and curriculum with these global benchmarks ensures that Ulster University is not just meeting, but exceeding, the demands for responsible leadership.”
Dr Marc Duffy, PRME Lead at UUBS has been a driving force behind the university’s engagement with the PRME principles. His work focuses on integrating sustainability into the curriculum and fostering practical engagement with various stakeholders, including students and employers. Dr Duffy’s commitment to responsible management education is evident in his contributions to new PRME modules within UUBS’s flagship undergraduate programmes, ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to address global challenges.
At the PRME Global Forum, Dr Duffy played a role in the session “From Global to Local: Advancing PRME at the Local and Regional Levels.” This workshop, led by the PRME Chapter UK & Ireland team (including Chapter Chair Natascha Radclyffe-Thomas, Vice Chair Laura Steele, Local Networks Coordinator Rachel Welton, and Communications Co-Lead Marc Duffy), showcased the success of the Chapter’s Local Networks. These regional forums exemplify how PRME signatories can collaborate effectively, share best practices, and engage with the PRME Principles and UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a more localised level. Dr Duffy’s involvement underscores Ulster University’s leadership in demonstrating how local initiatives can contribute to global responsibility.
Dr Duffy emphasised the power of local engagement, saying,
“Our Local Networks within the PRME UK & Ireland Chapter are truly demonstrating how impactful collaborative action can be at a grassroots level. Bringing the global PRME principles to a local context allows us to directly address community needs and prepare our students for real-world sustainable development challenges.”
Ulster University’s presence at the PRME Global Forum, with the active participation of Professor Una McMahon-Beattie and Dr Marc Duffy, demonstrates its dedication to fostering a new generation of responsible leaders in Northern Ireland. From innovative teaching strategies to impactful research and strong community engagement, UUBS is not just adapting to the future of business education but actively shaping it.