The Ulster University Business School was celebrated at the 2026 PRME Global Forum in New Cairo, Egypt
Ulster University Business School (UUBS) has secured a prestigious award at the globally renowned 2026 Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Awards, for their contribution to advancing sustainable development and responsible management practices in business education.
The award was announced at the 2026 PRME Global Forum, held in New Cairo, Egypt in June, and celebrates excellence in embedding sustainability and responsible management practices into business and management education.
PRME, a United Nations-supported initiative of the UN Global Compact, acts as a global platform to raise the profile of sustainability in business and management education. The PRME Education Awards celebrate exceptional contributions across pedagogy, curriculum, research, and academic development.
Dr Marc Duffy, Lecturer in Business Management and Nick Read, Director of Business Engagement, both from Ulster University Business School alongside Kevin Kelly, Director of PODIEM were among the winners of the 2026 Awards.
Their winning submission, Integrating Responsible Management Education Through Cross Sector Collaboration showcased the Sustainable Leadership programme - a partnership between UUBS, the Department for the Economy (DfE), and PODIEM. Developed in response to a recognised regional need for enhanced green skills and sustainable leadership capacity in Northern Ireland, the programme was shaped through extensive engagement with government and industry stakeholders.
Reflecting on the award, Dr Marc Duffy said:
"We are incredibly proud to receive this international recognition from the PRME Secretariat. This award reflects the collective efforts of colleagues, students and external partners who have embraced responsible management education and sustainability as core elements of what we do at Ulster University Business School.
"Since joining the PRME community in 2024, we have seen tremendous enthusiasm across the University for embedding sustainability into teaching, research and engagement. This award is a fantastic endorsement of that work and provides a strong platform for us to continue driving innovation and impact in responsible management education."
Professor Gillian Armstrong, Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean, Ulster University Business School, said:
"The Sustainable Leadership Programme reflects Ulster University Business School’s ongoing commitment to responsible management education, bringing together academia, industry, and government to support professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to deliver meaningful sustainability outcomes. As organisations face growing pressure to demonstrate responsible leadership, the programme provides a valuable platform for learning, collaboration and turning sustainability ambitions into action.
“This award is a powerful example of the transformative role higher education can play in advancing sustainability through innovation and partnership. Congratulations to everyone involved in developing and delivering this important initiative. We are incredibly proud of the positive impact it is having in supporting organisations across Northern Ireland to adopt more sustainable practices and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals.”
According to the judging panel, the submission stood out for its programme-level learning pathways in a way that supports both academic development and applied learning. Judges highlighted the alignment between programme design, learning outcomes and real-world engagement, supported by clear evidence of implementation and impact. The judges also noted the programme’s potential as a practical and adaptable model for other institutions seeking to strengthen programme-level integration and responsible management education.
Dr. David Steingard, Head of PRME, said:
“The 2026 PRME Education Awards highlight the depth and diversity of efforts taking place across our global community to advance responsible management education. This year’s awardees demonstrate how rigorous, thoughtfully designed education can meaningfully contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and better prepare students to navigate complex global challenges.”
The 2026 PRME Awards recognised business and management school faculty from Australia, Austria, Canada, Egypt, Hungary, India, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, United States, United Kingdom, and Vietnam. A judging committee of the PRME Secretariat and PRME-affiliated academic leaders judged 43 submissions from 22 countries to select four winners, eight runners-up, one Honorable Mention for Outstanding Creativity, and 11 Disciplinary Honorable Mentions.
Read the Summer 2026 edition free online →
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