The British College Makes History in the Positive Impact Rating League
We’re proud to announce a groundbreaking news: The British College has become the first college in Nepal to be listed in the Positive Impact Rating (PIR) 2024, achieving Level 3: Progressing School. This is not just an achievement for us; it's an exciting milestone for The British College!
What is the Positive Impact Rating (PIR)?
The Positive Impact Rating is a globally recognized assessment that evaluates business schools based on their societal impact. Unlike traditional rankings, PIR emphasises the importance of sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility, focusing on how effectively institutions address societal challenges and promote responsible leadership. What sets PIR apart is its student-led approach, relying on authentic student experiences and perceptions to gauge the true impact of educational institutions.
What Purpose Does the Rating Serve? Supporting School Development and Change
Traditional rankings have often been used as marketing tools for business schools, helping them to position themselves nationally and internationally. These rankings act as substitutes for direct assessment of school quality, which is difficult for consumers to evaluate on their own. However, over time, the reputation of these rankings can become detached from what they actually measure. The PIR offers a relevant and timely alternative, focusing on the positive impact of schools as seen through the eyes of their students.
The PIR not only serves as an assessment tool but also as a means for continuous improvement when it comes to education with impact. Each year, new generations of students evaluate and re-evaluate their schools, enabling learning and development through the process. This design empowers both student organisations and school management to use their data productively. The PIR organisation also collects and shares best practices from top-performing schools, aiming to catalyse systemic change in business education.
The Significance of Level 3: Progressing School
Being listed at Level 3: Progressing School in the PIR 2024 is a testament to our unwavering commitment to societal betterment and a brighter, more sustainable future. This recognition places us among an elite group of international institutions dedicated to making a substantial and positive difference in the world. It highlights our commitment to fostering an environment where our students not only excel academically but also grow as conscientious leaders poised to drive meaningful change.
What makes the PIR unique is its student-led approach. Our students provided valuable feedback and shared their experiences, which were central to the assessment. Their active participation in community projects, sustainability initiatives, and leadership activities was crucial in achieving this honour.
Our Journey to This Achievement
So, how did we get here? Several initiatives and programs at The British College have contributed to this prestigious recognition.
Our inclusion in the Positive Impact Rating 2024 is a testament to our TBC Sustainability Unit's dedicated efforts. PIR is an initiative of impact assessment that falls under the TBC Sustainability Unit activities. This unit is responsible for facilitating a holistic environment for sustainability through education, research, and partnerships. We aim to be part of business education FOR the world, not OF the world; hence, recognition like this is crucial at this early stage. The unit’s initiatives span diverse areas, including integrating Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into our BBA curriculum, fostering innovation through the BBA Innovate for Impact programme, and advancing climate education with the UWE Climate Education project and specialised teacher training. We have also focused on sustainable supply chains, ESG workshops, and promoting social entrepreneurship. Our commitment to raising awareness and generating knowledge is evident through expert sessions, webinars, and international conferences.
Additionally, as part of our commitment to global sustainability, we have aligned our initiatives with the principles of the UN Global Compact, further underscoring our dedication to responsible business practices and sustainable development. These efforts, categorised under green curriculum, climate education, capacity development, and community awareness, collectively highlight our dedication to creating a positive societal impact and fostering a sustainable future.
Voices from The British College
At the heart of our sustainability efforts lies the dedicated TBC Sustainability Unit, which has been instrumental in driving our initiatives and achieving recognition in the Positive Impact Rating.
Senior Faculty and Sustainability Lead at The British College, Ms Sunita Basnet, remarks, "Participating in measurement and assessment surveys like PIR is crucial for advancing sustainability education at The British College. These surveys not only acknowledge our efforts but also provide guidance through their internationally recognized impact framework, which will eventually help achieve our goal of sustainability."
Mr Subodh Rupakheti, The British College Incubation lead and Project Coordinator, says, “Our inclusion in the Positive Impact Rating 2024 is a powerful affirmation of our efforts to cultivate a learning environment where social responsibility and academic excellence go hand in hand."
Moving Forward
We’re not stopping here. The British College is committed to advancing its climate action initiatives with a strategic and multifaceted approach. Our future endeavours will focus on the integration of climate education into the curriculum, ensuring that our students are well-versed in sustainable practices and environmental stewardship. We will continue to expand our green curriculum, incorporating modules on sustainable supply chains, green startups, and incubation programs. Furthermore, we are dedicated to enhancing our faculty's capacity through workshops on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, and teacher training programs tailored to the Nepalese context.
Our community engagement will be bolstered by organising awareness campaigns for both youth and the broader community, addressing critical issues such as climate change and the status of UNSDGs in Nepal. We will also maintain our active participation in the Positive Impact Rating (PIR) survey to assess and improve our sustainability efforts, ensuring alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Through these initiatives, The British College aims to cultivate a sustainability mindset among students, faculty, and the community, fostering a culture of social entrepreneurship and innovative thinking that will contribute to a sustainable future.
Join Us on This Journey
This exciting milestone is a powerful testament to The British College's dedication to creating a positive societal impact. We are committed to continuing our journey towards greater achievements, fostering an environment where our students excel academically and grow as conscientious leaders poised to drive meaningful change.