Events & Conferences

This year’s ICAM Conference took place in Vienna and had over 1200 participants from across the world. The topics covered the impact of geopolitics on Internationalization of Business, how AI is redefining Business Education, Lifelong Learning, Impact Strategies, Business School Transformation, and AACSB strategic developments.

 

The PIR was invited to hold a workshop session on “Measuring Societal Impact with Positive Impact Rating”. The session was directed by Katrin Muff and Thomas Dyllick, both from the PIR Leadership Team, together with Tamim Elbasha, Associate Dean from Audencia Business School in France.

 

It attracted well over 100 participants and brought together PIR-internal perspectives as well as the perspective of a long time PIR user school in empowering impact excellence. In particular the new add-ons offered by PIR covering AACSB, EQUIS, and PRME reporting attracted great interest from the participants.

Prior to the PIR Launch, the PIR Global Summit 2025 took place online as well as in person at the PRME Global Forum. It attracted more than 50 representatives from PIR schools  and covered two topics:

1. How to best use PIR results in reporting on societal impact to PRME, AACSB and EQUIS;

2. What are effective ways to improve the societal impact of a business school across the institution, education, local engagement and research.

 

An impressive high – level panel included Deans and Directors from truly engaged PIR schools: BI, Norway; CENTRUM PUCP, Peru; Sasin School of Management, Thailand; IESEG, France; and Sydney University Business School and was moderated by Danette Kenne, Associate Dean from Drake University, USA. The lively discussion showed impressive ways how the member schools are using PIR results to manage their positive impact and how to move their schools forward.

As in previous years the PIR 2025 Rating was officially launched in a as part of the PRME Global Form, together with the comprehensive PIR Report.

 

It was presented in a plenary session by Prof. em. Thomas Dyllick together with Allie Koenigsfeld, student representative from Drake University at Zimpelman College of Business, USA. 86 global schools were rated this year from 28 countries. 73% of the rated schools are AACSB accredited, 64% are EQUIS accredited.

 

Also 64% of the schools are PRME signatories. 199 student responses were collected per school. 11 schools were rated as level 5 school, 46 as level 4 schools, and 29 schools as level 3 school. The first schools signed up for a new faculty survey, which allows a dual stakeholder comparison.

Katrin Muff and Thomas Dyllick were invited to present the PIR in a workshop session of the 2025 PRME Chapter UK & Ireland Conference at Queens University Business School in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It took place on June 18 and 19.

 

The relationship between PIR and PRME had been anchored in a formal collaboration at the PIR Launch 2024. It reflects in the PRME Add-on, which uses student and faculty feedback to assess the school’s PRME adherence.

 

The results can be uploaded on the PRME Digital Commons Platform. And PRME member schools get a 10% discount on the PIR participation fee, when they sign-up for three years of PIR participation.

This exclusive webinar offered business schools a first look into the latest developments of the Positive Impact Rating. Participants explored how PIR 2025 is reshaping business education with innovative features and refined survey methodologies.

 

The session highlighted how schools can leverage new comparative insights to strengthen their commitment to positive change and embed societal impact more deeply into their strategies.

In collaboration with CEEMAN, this webinar explored how responsible leadership and societal impact are reshaping the business landscape.

 

Experts discussed global sustainability trends, evolving stakeholder expectations, and strategies for integrating responsibility into business school curricula. Success stories from pioneering institutions highlighted practical approaches to nurturing the next generation of responsible leaders.

These recurring sessions guided registered schools and students through the practical steps of the PIR survey. Participants learned how to share the survey effectively, understood the different phases of the process, and explored options for adding customized questions.

 

The webinars also addressed frequently asked questions about access, deadlines, and school involvement, providing clarity and support for successful participation.

This dedicated webinar introduced the new partnership between PIR and PRME, highlighting how signatory schools can leverage the Positive Impact Rating to measure alignment with the PRME Principles.

 

Participants explored the benefits of the new SIP Report Add-On, designed to strengthen sustainability reporting, and gained insights into how student evaluations can drive institutional change. The session also presented a special discount offer for PRME members committing to the PIR rating.

The annual PIR Summit brought together schools and partners to celebrate the PIR 2024 results and share inspiring best practices.

 

Participants explored innovative solutions developed through the PIR Working Group, discussed strategies for working with students to drive institutional change, and learned how PIR can support AACSB, EQUIS, and PRME reporting.

 

The summit also offered a preview of PIR 2025, including the introduction of ambassadors, and provided space for networking and collaboration across the community.

Held in Davos, this exclusive by-invitation summit gathered deans, CEOs, and students to explore transformative actions in business education.

 

Discussions focused on embedding a positive impact mindset, adaptive innovation, stakeholder governance, and strategic transformation in business schools.

 

The event provided a unique platform for global thought leaders to exchange ideas and foster collaboration on shaping responsible leadership for a better world.

Hosted in New York, the PIR Global Summit 2023 brought together deans, faculty, and students to accelerate the impact agenda in business education.

 

Discussions addressed societal impact, technology, and assessment trends, while highlighting best practices from leading institutions worldwide.

 

The summit provided a space for shared learning, regional exchange, and co-creation, reinforcing the PIR’s mission as a student-driven rating. Participants celebrated the achievements of PIR 2023 and explored how to embed positive impact more deeply into the strategies of business schools.

Held at The New School in New York, the 2022 PIR Global Deans Summit convened deans and students from across the world to exchange insights and best practices for positive impact.

 

The gathering focused on shaping a forward-looking outcome that would equip participants with ideas, momentum, and a unique peer network to advance societal transformation through business education.

These recurring sessions provided students running the survey with a direct space to connect with the PIR team.

 

Participants could drop in weekly to ask questions, share comments, and receive support, ensuring smooth implementation of the PIR process. The helpdesk created an open channel for dialogue and guidance throughout the survey period.

Organized by oikos International, this workshop explored how to use Economy Studies as a tool to campaign effectively for curriculum change.

 

Featuring Joris Tieleman, co-founder of Rethinking Economics Netherlands and co-author of Economy Studies, the session provided PIR coordinators and participants with insights into renewing economic thinking and developing strategies for curricular transformation.

This webinar supported students leading the Positive Impact Rating survey by offering practical tips on how to increase participation among their peers.

 

The session focused on effective communication and engagement strategies to maximize survey responses and strengthen the student voice in the PIR process.

This webinar introduced PIR Coordinators to the key steps of the Positive Impact Rating process.

 

Participants received an overview of the PIR framework, the online dashboard, and the 2022 timeline, helping schools prepare effectively for their upcoming participation.