The Positive Impact Rating was launched today at the University of St.Gallen, giving our students the chance to evaluate our school on how it is solving societal and sustainable challenges.
The Positive Impact Rating (PIR) is a rating by students, for students, that can contribute as a lever of change for transformation in business schools. The results can be used as a tool to drive student-led sustainable development in cooperation with schools.
The collection of data at HSG is organized by oikos St.Gallen, who will distribute a survey across campus through email campaigns, social media and more. Students take responsibility for assessing the positive impact of their own schools, providing a unique opportunity for the student voice to be heard.
The PIR is the first time that students around the world assess their business schools on their positive impact. Sophie Charrois, President of oikos International and PIR Supervisory Board member, is aware that “more and more students all over the world seek an education that prepares them as change agents and leaders of tomorrow. oikos International is proud to have been part of the PIR from the beginning to provide them with a global assessment of schools that focus on these competencies”.
The rating survey asks students 20 questions in seven relevant impact dimensions, that sit within three areas: Energizing, Educating and Engaging. Business schools are then provided with a defined social impact and a tool that they can use for change. The overall PIR score of the business school is used to position the school on one of five levels. The different levels refer to the developmental stage of the business school, rating it by a certain level of achievement.
Katrin Muff, President of the Positive Impact Rating Association, said: “PIR is designed as a tool to improve and transform business education. It enables schools to understand what a positive impact for society is, according to their students. The PIR highlights the potential for improvement, even for leading schools.”
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 are also part of the PIR, which is supported by VIVA Idea and Fehr Advice.
We want you to get involved! To take part in the PIR survey at HSG click here. Find out more about the PIR on its website.