Rome Business School has advanced in the Positive Impact Rating (PIR), moving from Level 3 “Progressing Schools” to Level 4 “Transforming Schools.” PIR recognized the school’s structured and systematic integration of sustainability, inclusion, and diversity principles into its organizational culture, governance, and educational programs.
The Positive Impact Rating (PIR) was launched by a coalition of business school experts and international NGOs such as WWF, Oxfam, and the UN Global Compact. It measures the social and environmental impact of educational institutions based on surveys completed by students themselves. The fifth edition gathered 17,167 responses from students in 28 countries across five continents, covering a total of 124 institutions. The PIR ranks schools on a five-level scale, from 1 to 5, with Level 5 representing the highest recognition for positive impact. Only schools rated Level 3 or above are included in the ranking. The three main areas assessed are:
Rome Business School’s purpose and ethical values guide decision-making processes through responsible leadership that promotes diversity and inclusion. With 153 nationalities represented among the student body and 309 faculty members, 59% of whom are international, RBS stands out as one of the most international business schools in Italy. The institution actively promotes diversity and inclusion policies aimed at strengthening its commitment to gender equality and has introduced the Executive Women Scholarships to support women aspiring to leadership roles. With over 54% of students being women, many of whom balance their studies with professional and family commitments, the scholarship aims to foster their professional development. RBS also promotes initiatives and events in collaboration with organizations such as the Professional Women’s Association, Winning Women Institute, and DonneXstrada. One of the standout events of 2025 is “From Value to Practice: How Corporate Culture Can Support Equal Opportunities,” sponsored by the Municipality of Rome.
ESG content is integrated across the curriculum, with a focus on governance, reporting, and sustainable innovation. Courses and activities include Cross-Cultural Management and Building Ethical and Responsible Organizations, which incorporate social responsibility principles into corporate life. The international Bootcamp in Lagos allows students to study the development of emerging markets up close. The RBS4Entrepreneurship incubator offers valuable support for startup projects capable of generating positive social impact. Additionally, the Corporate Advisory Board has recently expanded with a new area dedicated to the Not-for-Profit sector, aimed at talent development and nurturing a new generation of responsible, innovative leaders. The academic offering has also been strengthened with master’s programs focused on sustainable transition, such as Energy Management and Sustainability & Circular Bioeconomy.
Rome Business School actively involves stakeholders, institutions, and communities in promoting a culture of positive impact beyond academia through partnerships with public and private organizations. Ongoing initiatives include charitable activities carried out in collaboration with nonprofit organizations such as Binario95 and Pangea. These initiatives engage the entire school community—students, faculty, staff, and alumni—in promoting active solidarity and social responsibility. In doing so, Rome Business School further solidifies its role as a bridge between education, business, and civil society, contributing to the development of ethical leadership attuned to social issues.
This recognition represents much more than a step up in the rankings: it is concrete evidence of a culture of positive impact that permeates every level of our business school—from governance to teaching, to our commitment to the community. For us, training leaders capable of addressing major global challenges by putting sustainability, ethics, and inclusion at the center is not just a goal, but a responsibility,” said Antonio Ragusa, Dean of Rome Business School.
