Griffith’s MBA was identified as the top program in the Corporate Knights 2020 Better World MBA Ranking ahead of a field of 150 global MBA programs, having previously ranked in the Top Five for the last two years.

MBA Director Associate Professor Stephanie Schleimer said Griffith’s MBA program attracted talented leaders from all sectors of industry, including government, services, engineering, mining and more.

“Our current student group represent leaders from over 70 different industry sectors across Australia, which means that our graduates become leaders of change in almost every industry sector in the nation,” she said.

“Our graduates are highly sought after, and many make substantial career changes as a result of their MBA studies.

“The coronavirus pandemic has given society a renewed awaking about the fragile eco-system of our planet and the role we all play in this system.

“Our MBA embraced sustainability as the core of business thinking and acting long before the majority of businesses realised it was crucial to operating successfully.

“Our graduates often speak about a transformational learning journey throughout their MBA and the realisation that a value-based and sustainable mindset is key to their professional (and often personal) growth and fulfilment.

“We are creating value through social, financial and environmental approaches that lead to sustainable businesses and communities. and we are preparing global citizens, with a special focus on the Asia-Pacific region.”

Pro Vice Chancellor Business Professor David Grant said the number one ranking was testament to the quality of the program.

“The Griffith MBA is values driven, with a core focus on responsible leadership, sustainable business practices and an Asia-Pacific perspective and this is what has driven its success and made us renowned for producing talented graduates of impact and influence,” he said.

“It is incredibly pleasing to see that the unique perspective we offer is highly valued by industry and rankings agencies.”

To determine the ranking, Corporate Knights evaluated 150 business schools (up from 146 in 2019), including all of the 2020 Financial Times top 100 Global MBA programs, every program that made the 2019 Top 40 in the Corporate Knights Better World MBA Ranking, and select MBA programs accredited by AMBA, AACSB or EQUIS, and/or signatories of the Principles for Responsible Management Education that opted in for evaluation.

In 2019, Corporate Knights uncovered a noticeable uptick in faculty research and core courses centred on sustainability – a trend which has continued in 2020.

The agency believes these developments reflect ongoing demand from students to train for meaningful work in the business sector, as well as demand from employers to help solve the serious social and environmental problems that threaten the future of businesses.