The Odette School of Business at the University of Windsor in Windsor, Ont.
The University of Windsor’s Odette School of Business has been recognized for its societal impact and commitment to sustainability in the sixth edition of the Positive Impact Rating (PIR), launched at the PIR Global Summit 2025 and acknowledged during the UN PRME Global Forum.
UWindsor is among 86 business schools from 30 countries participating in this year’s rating, which saw a record 17,167 student responses — a 13 per cent increase over last year. Odette achieved Level 3, earning a designation of “Progressing” within the PIR framework.
Created by students for students, the PIR is designed to reflect how learners perceive their school’s contribution to creating a more sustainable and equitable world.
Students assessed how the Odette School of Business addresses sustainability and social challenges, and how well it prepares them to lead with purpose.
“It’s so energizing to see how the Odette community is embracing sustainability as a core value,” said Odette associate dean Karen Robson. “From the launch of our new ‘Sustainability in Marketing’ course to the formation of our Net Impact chapter, our students and faculty are leading the way in integrating sustainability into business practice. These initiatives reflect our mission to prepare responsible leaders who are ready to drive meaningful change.”
These efforts also support the University’s broader sustainability goals — championing innovation in education and engagement, advancing interdisciplinary learning, and empowering students to apply sustainability principles in real-world contexts. As outlined in the Sustainability Framework, UWindsor is working to integrate sustainability across curriculum and research, and to foster a campus culture that encourages collaboration, community partnership and environmental responsibility.
The PIR includes 20 questions grouped into seven dimensions across three areas: Energizing, Educating, and Engaging. Schools are placed into one of five levels, with three published: Level 3 (Progressing), Level 4 (Transforming), and Level 5 (Pioneering).
“While future students now have an alternative source to help them select a business school, institutions primarily use the PIR to measure and communicate their transformational progress,” said Prof. Thomas Dyllick, PIR founder and member of the Supervisory Board. “The voice of the student has become a true source of value.”
The PIR was launched by a coalition of business school experts and international NGOs, including WWF, Oxfam, and the UN Global Compact, and is supported by student organizations such as Oikos, AIESEC, and Net Impact. It is also backed by VIVA Idea (Costa Rica), the Institute for Business Sustainability Foundation, and FehrAdvice (Switzerland).