- Lauded for pioneering excellence in sustainable leadership, culture, and governance
IIM Indore proudly announces its rise to the prestigious Level 5 status in the UN PRME Positive Impact Rating (PIR) 2024, signifying its relentless journey towards excellence in societal impact and sustainable leadership. This significant advancement from last year’s Level 4 recognition underscores IIM Indore’s dynamic and ongoing growth as a significant positive change. Now among the global elite of “Pioneering Schools,” IIM Indore is one of only six institutions worldwide, and the second IIM, to achieve this top-tier distinction, reflecting its commitment to transformative education and impactful governance. This year’s PIR evaluated the societal contributions of business schools from 30 countries. The ratings were announced by Prof. Thomas Dyllick, PIR Supervisory Board, Positive Impact Rating Association, and Carolin Lemke of Oikos International on June 18, 2024.
IIM Indore’s Director, Prof. Himanshu Rai, highlighted the significance of this achievement: “Reaching Level 5 in the Positive Impact Rating reflects our relentless pursuit of excellence in developing a culture of sustainability and positive societal impact. This recognition energizes us to continue our mission of shaping responsible leaders who can drive meaningful change. Our initiatives, whether they are grassroots programmes like Rural Engagement Programme (REP) and Himalayan Outbound Programme (HOP) or numerous sustainable campus practices, all are geared towards creating a lasting, positive impact on society and the environment.”
The PIR report stated that the 2024 survey garnered 15,222 responses, a 19% increase from 2023. The average PIR score of all rated schools in 2024 is 7.7 on a 10-point scale, and IIM Indore has received a score of 8.8. The report states that Asia has achieved the highest average score among regions, with an average of 8.4, followed by North America and Southern Europe at 7.5 and Western Europe at 7.2.
“We don’t just measure impact at the PIR; we empower schools to achieve impact excellence”, said Dr. Katrin Muff, President, The Positive Impact Rating Association. PIR helps business schools become leaders in positive change, graduating leaders who can build a better tomorrow, she added.
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.”
In an email received by IIM Indore, PIR congratulated the institute on being rated as a Level 5 Pioneering School. “Your school has been rated as a Level 5 Pioneering School. Level 5 is defined as “Showing unique, sustainable leadership in all impact dimensions” and contains schools scoring between 8.8 and 10 overall,” states the email. The scoring is based on the assessment of the seven key impact dimensions evaluated by PIR, which are Governance, Culture, Programs, Learning Methods, Student Support, Institution as a Role Model, and Public Engagement. “We look forward to your continued involvement in the PIR movement”, the email added.
The rating survey included questions in these seven relevant impact dimensions that sit within three areas: Energizing, Educating, and Engaging. IIM Indore has secured a rating of 8.8, 8.7, and 8.9 out of 10 for Energizing, Educating, and Engaging Scores, respectively.
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. PIR categorizes business schools into five levels, reflecting their progress in societal and environmental impact. “Beginning” schools are in the early stages of recognizing their role and face challenges in launching initiatives. “Emerging” schools start translating their commitment into action with initial successes. “Progressing” schools show significant improvements and results in certain impact areas. “Transforming” schools have integrated a strong culture of positive impact, demonstrating substantial and visible progress across multiple dimensions. Finally, “Pioneering” schools, which include IIM Indore, exhibit exceptional leadership and excellence in all areas of impact, serving as inspirational models for others. This system encourages continuous growth and innovation towards sustainable development.
The PIR was created by 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.
IIM Indore’s journey to Level 5 has been marked by significant initiatives and transformative programmes that have reshaped the landscape of business education. The institute’s commitment to environmental stewardship is evident through its various campus initiatives. The institute has installed rooftop solar panels and a solar tree, established a robust waste management system that treats thousands of kilograms of waste daily, and has a comprehensive rainwater harvesting system. The campus is a no-single-use plastic zone, actively contributing to reducing plastic waste. Moreover, IIM Indore’s dedication to green spaces is demonstrated through its extensive tree plantation drives, with over 2,500 trees planted annually, and its organic garden, which produces tonnes of chemical-free vegetables and fruits. Sanjeevani, the institute’s horticulture cell, continues to cultivate tonnes of medicinal herbs, distributed free of cost to promote health and wellness. Our REP and HOP initiatives ensure that students are not only academically proficient but also socially responsible and capable of making a significant positive impact on society.
As a Level 5 institution, IIM Indore exemplifies the pinnacle of excellence in positive societal impact, setting benchmarks in governance, culture, education, and public engagement. This prestigious rating reflects IIM Indore’s dedication to embedding sustainability and social responsibility in every facet of its operations and curriculum.