Antwerp Management School was recognized for its social impact and sustainability achievements when the Positive Impact Rating (PIR) results were launched today at the UN PRME Global Forum. We were one of 45 business schools from 21 countries worldwide that took part in the rating this year and achieved Level 4, making us a Transforming school within the PIR.

The PIR is a rating conducted by students and for students. For the third time, students worldwide assessed their business schools on how they perceive their positive impact in the world. The positive impact of business schools goes beyond their contribution to business and the economy; it addresses the need for their positive impact for society.

Students assessed how AMS addresses societal and sustainable challenges and prepares its students to be responsible business leaders. The data collection at AMS was organized and led by our Student Council, who distributed the PIR survey across campus to their fellow students.

Dean Steven De Haes said:

"We are delighted to receive this fantastic score for the third year in a row. Under the motto 'Opening minds to impact the world', we at AMS want to create an open and sustainable mindset. In 2020 we achieved a score of 8, in 2021 of 8.3 and now 8.5. This nice evolution shows us that we are on the right track as a 'Transforming School'.”

The rating survey asks students 20 questions in seven relevant impact dimensions that sit within three areas: Energizing, Educating, and Engaging. The overall PIR score of the business school is used to position the schools across five levels. The different levels refer to the developmental stage of the business school, rating it by a certain level of achievement. Business schools are provided with a defined social impact and a tool that they can use for change.

Prof. Thomas Dyllick, PIR Founder & Member of the Supervisory Board said: “While future students now have an alternative source to select their business school, schools refer to the PIR primarily to measure and communicate their transformational progress. The voice of the student has become a true source of value.”

The PIR was created by concerned business school experts together with global NGOs - WWF, Oxfam, and UN Global Compact. International student associations oikos, AIESEC, and Net Impact partner with PIR, supported by VIVA Idea (Costa Rica), The Institute for Business Sustainability Foundation & Fehr Advice, both from Switzerland.