CSR Tertiary Education Expanding
12 December 2012 at 9:09 am
A Global Business School Report highlights that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly prominent in tertiary education around the world, including Australia.
The annual university ranking report lists the top 50 CSR programs by institute with Harvard Business School taking the top honour.
The Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne was the highest ranked Australian institute coming in at number 34 in the world followed by the Sydney Business School at the University of Wollongong at number 43.
The majority of universities listed came from the United States followed by Europe and Asia.
“The fact that the top programs in this area correspond quite closely to the top scoring schools overall is an indication of how seriously CSR is now being taken at the world’s leading schools,” the QS Global Business Schools Report said.
“As corporations come under greater scrutiny for their ethical and environmental practice, employers are turning to a growing number of MBAs from elite schools specializing in this zeitgeist area.
“Sydney Business School, University of Wollongong at 37th has the best-regarded CSR program among Australian schools, placing 4th in Asia-Pacific for CSR compared to 13th overall.
“Europe has taken a lead on CSR, accounting for five of the top ten schools in this area of specialisation.
“The strong correlation between overall performance and employer recognition for CSR programs is mirrored in Asia-Pacific, with the region’s top two schools INSEAD – Singapore (12) and Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (25) registering the region’s strongest performances in CSR.
“Canadian schools have yet to register serious employer recognition for their CSR programs compared to their international peers.”
The same report listed the top 50 educational institutes in relation to entrepreneurship, with Harvard Business School again taking out the top honour. The Melbourne Business School at the University of Melbourne was the only Australian university represented.
“It is worth noting that the three leading schools for entrepreneurship are also the top three in North America for graduate salaries: Harvard (US$122,000), Stanford (US$127,000) and Wharton (US$118,000),” the report said.
