International Business School Suzhou, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) (China) scooped the prestigious Best CSR and Sustainability Initiative 2022 at the world-renowned Association of MBAs (AMBA) and Business Graduates Association (BGA) Excellence Awards 2022, for ‘15 Ways in 15 Weeks’.
The AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards, which were held virtually on 21 January 2022, brought together leading lights from the global business education community to celebrate excellence and commend achievement among Business Schools, MBA students and graduates, suppliers and employers.
The ceremony was attended by more than 352 Business School leaders, as well as category finalists, judges and members of the media.
‘15 Ways in 15 Weeks’ was a semester-long initiative divided into weekly campaigns that drove sustainable and positive behavioural change at the International Business School Suzhou.
Each week, themed activities and events took place on topics relating to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, such as waste management, sustainable transportation and ethical finance.
The initiative resulted in the establishment of a Sustainable Future Talents student association, ¥13,000 RMB in charitable donations, and hundreds of healthier choices. For faculty, staff and students, it also led to positive life changes regarding the contributions individuals must make to achieve the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
‘At IBSS, sustainability is a concept woven into the fabric of our Business School. Using CSR as a foundation, we have made Responsible and Sustainable Business Education (RSBE) one of our strategic pillars. This wonderful recognition of our efforts by AMBA & BGA is very encouraging,’ said Dean of IBSS, Prof. Jorg Bley
Andrew Main Wilson, Chief Executive of the Association of MBAs and Business Graduates Association (AMBA & BGA), said: ‘On behalf of the AMBA and Business Graduates Association (BGA) team, I would like to congratulate the Finalists and Winners of this year’s Excellence Awards.
‘This is our largest-ever AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards featuring 10 categories, 59 finalists, and 42 judges. We have had a record number of entries, and the competition was stronger than ever. The entries who have made the final shortlist in each category should feel proud of their achievements.
‘As showcased by the winners of this year’s Excellence Awards – the AMBA & BGA Schools network continue to manage magnificently in spite of the challenges caused by Covid-19, with determination and innovation.
‘Additionally, the students and graduates who have been shortlisted as finalists today have all used their qualifications to achieve a spectrum of impressive results, in terms of the positive impact they have made to business, education and society as a whole.
‘I also want to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors Barco, Kortext, McGraw Hill Education, Wharton Research Data Services, and Insendi, a Study Group Company. Their support for our awards – and the business education sector – is greatly appreciated.’
ENDS
For more information or interviews, please contact:
- David Woods-Hale, Director of Marketing and Communications, AMBA & BGA – d.woods@associationofmbas.com
- Ellen Buchan, Insight and Communications Executive, AMBA & BGA – e.buchan@associationofmbas.com
- Yifei Wu, IBSS Public Relations and Branding Manager – yifei.wu@xjtlu.edu.cn
International Business School Suzhou (IBSS) at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University is growing in size and influence in pursuit of its vision to be a leading international Business School. The School is based on strong principles of internationalism, innovation, inspiration and integrity, which together ensures a positive impact on society through our teaching, research and business engagement. In that pursuit, IBSS became the youngest Business School to be accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) in 2016, and again, the youngest School to receive EQUIS accreditation in 2018. Receiving joint accreditation of AMBA and BGA in 2020, IBSS became the world’s 103rd triple accredited Business School.
Awards selection process
The Finalists list was shortlisted by AMBA & BGA’s senior management team. Our judges reviewed 59 shortlisted entries, selecting a winner (‘gold’) and, if appropriate, a ‘silver’ and ‘bronze’ for each award. Our judging panel is made up of AMBA board members, business experts, Deans, and management leaders.
All of our judges were selected based on their experience and qualifications.
More information about the categories and complete list of the Gold, Silver and Bronze winners and Finalists.
Best Innovation Strategy 2022 in association with Barco
The Best Innovation Strategy award is a celebration of innovation and radical thinking in business education delivery across all areas of the Business School and has been developed to recognise and reward game-changing new practices, risks, and creativity. This year, the judges are especially interested to find out how Business Schools have innovated and adapted considering the Covid-19 pandemic.
Gold
- NEOMA Business School (France) for ‘NEOMA Business School Virtual Campus’
Silver
- UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, University College Dublin (Ireland) for ‘UCD Business Alumni Challenge – Around the Globe in 30 Days’
Bronze
- MBA Centre, Shanghai University (China) for ‘Launch of New Global Industry MBA Specialisations’
Finalists
- School of Economics and Management, South China Normal University (SCNU) (China) for ‘Optimal Integrated Innovation Strategy’;
- School of Economics and Management, Southwest Jiaotong University (China) for ‘The “Quaternity” Tactic’
- Wrexham Glyndŵr University (UK) for ‘Active Learning Framework: Reflections’
Best Lifelong Learning Initiative 2022 in association with Kortext
The Best Lifelong Learning Initiative award recognises the efforts of Business Schools that are reinventing teaching and learning among students, graduates, alumni networks and custom and executive education.
Gold
- IE Business School (Spain) for ‘Turn It Around – Alumni Engagement’
Silver
- Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London (UK) for ‘MBA Student Enhancement Package’
Bronze
- College of Economics and Management, Zhejiang University of Technology (China) for ‘GET – Gather Alumni, Enlighten Alumni, Turbo Alumni’
Finalists
- Antai College of Economics and Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University (China) for ‘The Industry Community Classes Program (ICCP)’
- EGADE Business School, Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico) for ‘Alternative Learning’
- School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) (China) for ‘Lifelong Learning Ecosystem Development Initiative’
Best CSR and Sustainability Initiative 2022
The Best CSR and Sustainability Initiative award honours Business Schools that are taking the initiative in creating a sustainable future and teaching students about social values, as well as making a positive impact in practical and measurable ways.
It gives Schools a chance to showcase their innovative and original CSR and sustainability initiatives on a global stage.
Gold
- International Business School Suzhou, Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) (China) for ‘15 Ways in 15 Weeks’
Silver
- Indian Institute of Management Indore (India) for ‘Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG)’
Bronze
- Graduate School of Business, MIP Politecnico di Milano (Italy) for ‘Leave your Mark: An Important Opportunity for Students and Alumni to Grow’
Finalists
- Esade Business School, Ramon Llull University (Spain) for ‘Sustainable Impact: Our Chance to Change the World Together’
- ESMT Berlin (Germany) for ‘Net Impact Club’s Carbon Accounting Initiative’
- Newcastle University Business School, Newcastle University (UK) for ‘Developing Responsible Leaders for the Future through the Design and Delivery of a New Executive MBA Programme’
- Porto Business School, Universidade do Porto (Portugal) for ‘Porto Business School Urban Garden’
Best Business School Partnership 2022 in association with Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS)
The Best Business School Partnership award recognises organisations that have adopted a proactive, innovative approach to strategic collaboration. Partnerships can, for example, be with another Business School/group of Schools, an employer, a consultant, education partner or technology provider, a social impact group, an individual, a charity, or another organisation.
Gold
- International Management Institute (MIM-Kyiv) (Ukraine) with BookChef Publishing House
Silver
- Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), University of Pretoria (South Africa) with JP Morgan
Bronze
- UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, University College Dublin (Ireland) with Their Lives Matter – Tumaini La Maisha (TLM)
Finalists
- Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Portugal) with Veolia
- Dongwu Business School, Soochow University (China) with Soochow Securities
- Thammasat Business School, Thammasat University (Thailand) with Government Savings Bank
Best Culture, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative 2022, in association with McGraw Hill Education
The Best Culture, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative award recognises Business Schools and the work they have been doing to create, incorporate and develop culture, diversity and inclusion practices into their Business School, while balancing and involving fair working environments.
Gold
- Centrum PUCP Business School, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru) for ‘Word of Women Academy (Academia Palabra de Mujer)’
Silver
- UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, University College Dublin (Ireland) for ‘Intercultural Development Programme (ICD)’
Finalists
- Escuela de Negocios, Universidad del CEMA (UCEMA) (Argentina) for ‘Advancing gender equity by promoting women in leadership’
- Mannheim Business School, University of Mannheim (Germany) for ‘MBS Diversity Day’
- School of Business and Management, Shanghai International Studies University (SISU) (China) for ‘Embedding Management Talent Cultivation in Multiculturalism’
BGA Business School Impact Award 2022
This award is designed to offer a platform through which BGA member, validated, and accredited Schools can demonstrate their stakeholder impact – encompassing students and graduates as well as the wider communities in which they operate. Such impact can be demonstrated through programme design, social outreach programmes, alumni relations, careers services and so on.
Gold
- EGADE Business School, Tecnológico de Monterrey, (Mexico) for ‘Sustainable Wealth Creation Based On Innovation and Technology (SWIT)’
Silver
- School of Economics and Management, Dongguan University of Technology (China) for ‘100 Groups in 1,000 Counties’
- Centrum PUCP Business School, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (Peru) for ‘Undertaking Tourism Now (Turismo Emprende Ya)’
Finalists
- Antwerp Management School, University of Antwerp (Belgium), for ‘The Positive Impact Project (PIP)’
- Athena School of Management (India) for ‘Creating Impact for Stakeholders’
- International Management Institute (MIM-Kyiv) (Ukraine) for ‘Building Business Education in Tajikistan’
MBA Startup of the Year 2022
The MBA Startup of the year Award encourages and promotes the value of startup business strategy and innovation, in the current competitive climate and showcases its importance in the global market.
The MBA Startup of the Year award is open to both private and public sectors. This award is designed to celebrate innovative business strategy – taking something from idea to action. Judges will be more interested in the idea and potential of the venture, and its plans, rather than any financial or monetary results in the early stage.
Gold
- Sotirios Ptochos, Athens University of Economics and Business (Greece) for PEOPLE Technology Solutions (PEOPLE)
Finalists
- Nicholas Cory, Southampton Business School, University of Southampton (UK) for Absolar Solutions
- Marcos Impala, Escuela de Negocios, Universidad del CEMA (UCEMA) (Argentina), for Tirr
- Sofía Jiménez de Aréchaga, Escuela de Postgrados en Negocios – Universidad ORT Uruguay, for Mezcla
MBA Entrepreneur of the Year 2022
The MBA Entrepreneur of the Year award celebrates the achievements of successful alumni in innovative world-class business strategy, but also showcases Business Schools that are nurturing a spirit of enterprise and ambition.
This award is a fantastic way to highlight the success of accredited Business Schools that promote entrepreneurship in their MBA cohorts. The award is also a chance for individuals to impress high-profile judges who are already at the forefront of global entrepreneurship.
The MBA Entrepreneur of the Year Award is one of the most distinguished awards in the industry. AMBA has developed the MBA Entrepreneur of the Year Award to encourage and promote the value of entrepreneurship in the current competitive climate and to highlight its importance in the global market.
Gold
- Ximena Aleman, Escuela de Postgrados en Negocios, Universidad ORT Uruguay for Prometeo OpenBanking
Silver
- Farwah Tapal, Esade Business School, Ramon Llull University (Spain) for Oraan
Bronze
- Moustafa El-Shenety, AUC School of Business, The American University in Cairo (Egypt) for Zilla Capital
Finalists
- Giacomo Bedetti, Graduate School of Business, MIP Politecnico di Milano (Italy) for Orapesce
- Diego Martin Bertezzolo, Escuela de Negocios, Universidad de San Andrés (Argentina) for Avancargo
- Onaseye Onabolu, Aston Business School, Aston University (UK) for Sona Circle Refugee Recruitment
MBA Leadership Award 2022
The MBA Leadership Award will honour alumni from AMBA-accredited Business Schools who have been making an impact in the business world following their graduation.
The award will recognise the great work of these graduates through their achievements, performance, and recognition. This important award will give graduates the chance to stand out and showcase their work following graduation.
Gold
- Theresa Grant, Manchester Metropolitan University Business School, Manchester Metropolitan University (UK), currently working at Municipal Partners
Silver
- Zakhira Begaliyeva, Graduate School of Business, Almaty Management University (AlmaU) (Kazakhstan), currently working at Public Foundation ‘ITeachMe’ Center for Competence Development
Bronze
- Mansi Madan Tripathy, SP Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR) (India), currently working at Royal Dutch Shell
Finalists
- Yvonne Greeves, Adam Smith Business School, University of Glasgow (UK), currently working at NatWest Group
- Ming Li, Business School, Central South University (China), currently working at Hunan Overseas Home Information Technology and Hunan Hi-soon Supply Chain
- Pedro Luis Guerrero Riera, Instituto de Estudios Superiores de Administración (IESA)(Venezuela), currently working at Grupo Fastmed
- Andrea Perrot, Escuela de Negocios, Universidad del CEMA (UCEMA) (Argentina), currently working at CEMIC University Hospital
MBA Student of the Year 2022 in association with insendi, a Study Group company
AMBA’s MBA Student of the Year Award plays a pivotal role in supporting AMBA’s pledge to promote the MBA as the leading international business qualification.
The MBA Student of the Year Award recognises students who have shown exceptional career potential and who AMBA believes can act as ambassadors for the high quality of accredited MBAs and the opportunities these programmes provide for students from a wide range of different personal and professional backgrounds.
This award doesn’t just reward ‘straight-A’ students but also focuses on leadership potential and career progression.
Gold
- Monique Farquharson, Aston Business School, Aston University (UK)
Silver
- Patsy McNeil, UCL School of Management, University College London (UK)
Bronze
- Yunfei Yang, School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST)(China)
Finalists
- Joy Chikaodiri Elekwuwa, Esade Business School, Ramon Llull University (Spain)
- Ariel Olivari, Escuela de Negocios, Universidad del CEMA (UCEMA) (Argentina)
- Jember Teklu TesfayAudencia Business School (France)
Find a list of all AMBA accredited Schools here.
