Ulster University Business School (UUBS) has been recognised at the 2026 Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Education Awards for its work advancing sustainable development and responsible management within business education.

The accolade was announced in June at the PRME Global Forum in New Cairo. PRME, a United Nations-supported initiative of the UN Global Compact, raises the profile of sustainability in business and management education. Its Education Awards spotlight excellence across pedagogy, curriculum, research and academic development.

Among those honoured were Dr Marc Duffy, Lecturer in Business Management, and Nick Read, Director of Business Engagement, both from UUBS, alongside Kevin Kelly, Director of PODIEM.

Their winning submission, 'Integrating Responsible Management Education Through Cross Sector Collaboration', showcased the Sustainable Leadership programme — a partnership between UUBS, the Department for the Economy (DfE) and PODIEM. Designed in response to a regional need for green skills and sustainable leadership capacity in Northern Ireland, the initiative was shaped through extensive engagement with government and industry stakeholders.

Reflecting on the award, Dr Marc Duffy said: "We are incredibly proud to receive this international recognition from the PRME Secretariat. This award reflects the collective efforts of colleagues, students and external partners who have embraced responsible management education and sustainability as core elements of what we do at Ulster University Business School.

"Since joining the PRME community in 2024, we have seen tremendous enthusiasm across the University for embedding sustainability into teaching, research and engagement. This award is a fantastic endorsement of that work and provides a strong platform for us to continue driving innovation and impact in responsible management education." Professor Gillian Armstrong, Pro Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean, Ulster University Business School, said: "The Sustainable Leadership Programme reflects Ulster University Business School's ongoing commitment to responsible management education, bringing together academia, industry, and government to support professionals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to deliver meaningful sustainability outcomes. As organisations face growing pressure to demonstrate responsible leadership, the programme provides a valuable platform for learning, collaboration and turning sustainability ambitions into action.

"This award is a powerful example of the transformative role higher education can play in advancing sustainability through innovation and partnership. Congratulations to everyone involved in developing and delivering this important initiative. We are incredibly proud of the positive impact it is having in supporting organisations across Northern Ireland to adopt more sustainable practices and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals."

Judges praised the programme for its clear, programme-level learning pathways that support both academic development and applied learning, highlighting strong alignment between design, learning outcomes and real-world engagement. They also commended robust evidence of implementation and impact, and noted its potential as a practical, adaptable model for other institutions seeking to embed responsible management education.

Dr. David Steingard, Head of PRME, said: "The 2026 PRME Education Awards highlight the depth and diversity of efforts taking place across our global community to advance responsible management education. This year's awardees demonstrate how rigorous, thoughtfully designed education can meaningfully contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals and better prepare students to navigate complex global challenges."

This year's PRME Awards recognised business and management school faculty from Australia, Austria, Canada, Egypt, Hungary, India, Ireland, Mexico, Nigeria, Portugal, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, United States, United Kingdom and Vietnam. A judging committee of the PRME Secretariat and PRME-affiliated academic leaders reviewed 43 submissions from 22 countries, selecting four winners, eight runners-up, one Honorable Mention for Outstanding Creativity, and 11 Disciplinary Honorable Mentions.