Author: Veronica Colombo

Positive Impact Rating 2025: POLIMI Graduate School of Management is the only European School to receive the highest recognition for its generated impact

Posted on | by Veronica Colombo

The Business School of the POLIMI School of Management of Politecnico di Milano is the only School in Europe to have achieved Level 5 in the Positive Impact Rating 2025, confirming its leadership across all dimensions of impact

 

POLIMI Graduate School of Management, part of the POLIMI School of Management of Politecnico di Milano, has once again been recognised for its social impact and strong commitment to sustainability. As part of the sixth edition of the Positive Impact Rating (PIR), the School was awarded Level 5 – the highest possible rating – distinguishing itself as the only business school in Europe to reach this level. The 2025 report, entitled RETHINKING SOCIETAL IMPACT – A roadmap for business schools to implement positive impact, was presented at the 2025 PIR Global Summit and also discussed during the United Nations PRME Global Forum.

The PIR was created with the aim of assessing the positive impact that business schools generate in society on a global scale, reflecting a growing trend in higher education: to develop conscious leaders who are equipped to face the complex challenges of our time. This year’s edition involved 86 business schools from 28 countries across all five continents, with more than 17,167 students participating – up 13% compared to the previous year. Twenty-six institutions took part for the first time, a clear sign of the growing interest in impact-driven education.

POLIMI Graduate School of Management was the only European School to achieve Level 5, which qualifies it as a Pioneering School in the PIR. With a score between 8.8 and 10, the School demonstrated its leadership across all the dimensions of Impact.

The PIR is based on 20 questions grouped into eight indicators: Governance, Culture, Programmes, Learning Methods, Student Support, Research, Role Models and Public Engagement. These are further organised into four key dimensions: Energising, Educating, Engaging and Empowering. Results place business schools into one of five levels based on their impact, three of which are publiched: Level 3 (Progressing), Level 4 (Transforming) and Level 5 (Pioneering).

A distinctive feature of the PIR is that it is a rating created by students, for students. As the primary stakeholders in business education, students are given a platform to express their views on how their school addresses social and environmental challenges, prepares them to become responsible leaders, and how it could further enhance its positive impact. That is also why the School chose to participate for the second year in a row: to actively listen to younger generations and steer its strategic development in a more conscious and inclusive direction.

“Receiving the highest level in the Positive Impact Rating 2025 and being recognised as a Pioneering School is a source of great pride for us, but above all, of responsibility. This result encourages us to continue our commitment to the structural integration of sustainability and social impact in every dimension of the School: from teaching to research, up to strategic and operational choices“, commented Federico Frattini, Dean of POLIMI Graduate School of Management. “The message that comes from students from all over the world is clear: they want an education that prepares them to face the systemic challenges of our time, not to replicate the models from the past. This is a request with which we agree and which we will continue to translate into concrete, interdisciplinary and real-world experiences. Being the only school in Europe in this category encourages us to act as a bridge between global aspirations and local needs, contributing to the transformation of our educational and entrepreneurial ecosystem.”

The Positive Impact Rating was developed by a coalition of business school experts and international NGOs such as WWF, Oxfam, and the United Nations Global Compact, and is supported by student organisations such as oikos, AIESEC and Net Impact. It is also backed by VIVA Idea (Costa Rica), the Foundation Institute for Business Sustainability and FehrAdvice (Switzerland).

FT Executive Education Rankings 2025: POLIMI Graduate School of Management climbs the Financial Times rankings and strengthens its global standing

Posted on | by Veronica Colombo

Significant progress in Open programmes and solid performance in Custom ones confirm the high quality of executive education offered by the Business School of Politecnico di Milano

 

POLIMI Graduate School of Management, part of the POLIMI School of Management at Politecnico di Milano, has once again stood out on the international executive education stage, thanks to its results in the Financial Times Executive Education Rankings 2025. The School is listed in both of the rankings dedicated to executive education: Open-enrolment and Custom programmes.

In the Open programme ranking, the School made a significant leap forward, moving up 12 places compared to 2024 and securing 57th place out of 85 institutions evaluated globally. This improvement reflects the School’s ability to deliver learning experiences that are increasingly innovative, hands-on, and tailored to the evolving needs of managers and professionals. A particularly strong indicator in this category is Overall Satisfaction, where the School ranks 15th globally, with a score of 9.67 out of 10, a substantial improvement over last year. This result highlights the perceived quality and positive impact of the educational experience offered by the School.

As for Custom programmes, which are developed in close partnership with companies to meet specific needs, the School has reinforced its international presence, ranking 67th out of 95 business schools worldwide. This placement is especially significant given the growing number of institutions included in this year’s ranking.
Among the most notable performance indicators in the Custom category are:

  • Follow-up, which measures the support provided to participants even after the programme ends, with the School ranking 37th;
  • Future Use, which reflects how likely companies are to renew their collaboration for future programmes, where the School ranks 39th globally.

Additional improvements were recorded in the perception of the value of the educational experience (Value for Money) and the faculty diversity, showing the School’s continued investment in creating a high-quality, global, and inclusive learning environment.

“The results of the FT 2025 ranking confirms the quality and relevance of our executive training offer, both for individual professionals and for companies“, commented Federico Frattini, Dean of POLIMI Graduate School of Management. “We are particularly proud of the jump in the Open ranking, the result of constant work on the front of educational innovation and personalisation of courses. At the same time, the consolidation in the Custom area demonstrates our ability to design tailor-made, high-impact solutions, in an increasingly competitive context.”

With a steady and growing presence in major international rankings, POLIMI Graduate School of Management continues to stand out in the field of executive education – thanks to an offering that combines innovation, international outlook and real impact for individuals and organisations.

Discover the second issue of SOMe, the POLIMI School of Management’s eMagazine

Posted on | by Veronica Colombo

The second issue of SOMe, the POLIMI School of Management’s eMagazine, is now available with a new issue full of insights, in-depth articles and projects that showcase our School’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and social impact.

 

Entrepreneurship, business models and innovation

In this edition, we explore how data-driven strategies are transforming maintenance services and how business model design can shape consumers’ perception of value. We also examine how innovation contests help cultivate entrepreneurship inside organizations.

Other highlights include a focus on digital agriculture through the European Farmtopia project, an analysis of workplace safety in the digital age with the PrePaRa project and the latest findings from the Open Innovation Lookout and Minibond Observatories.

We also share updates on the upcoming EurOMA 2025 conference and the new POLIMI School of Management Impact Report – BSIS Assessment, which highlights our School’s tangible impact on society, local community and businesses.

 

To read previous issues of SOMe, click here.

To receive it directly in your inbox, subscribe here.

European Union Week 2025 is coming: an event to explore the EU’s role and future

Posted on | by Veronica Colombo

The European Union Week 2025 will take place from May 12 to 19, an initiative designed to promote dialogue, innovation and international cooperation within the framework of the European Union

 

Now in its fifth edition, the European Union Week has become a prominent event in the international academic landscape. With the goal of celebrating the European Union, the event will offer a series of in-person and online activities aimed at students, alumni, public and professionals interested in exploring the EU’s role, significance and evolution in a time of profound change.

 

Growth and collaboration for the Europe of the future

Launched in 2021 by TUM School of Management (Germany) and HEC Paris (France), the European Union Week has seen continuous expansion in terms of participating institutions. After the inclusion of Kozminski University (Poland) and other academic organizations, the initiative is now supported by a strong network of academic international partners. Among the participating institutions are Bucharest University of Economic Studies (Romania), Estonian Business School (Estonia), Vlerick Business School (Belgium) and, new this year, ESADE, Ramon Llull University, Barcelona (Spain) e Corvinus University of Budapest (Hungary). This intercultural network reflects the shared commitment to promoting European cooperation through discussions on current issues.

For this year’s edition, our business school renews its commitment to the organization of the European Union Week, actively contributing to fostering a shared reflection on the role and value of the European Union.

Many events to explore the opportunities and future of the European Union

European Union Week 2025 offers a diverse and engaging program, featuring seminars, events and themed talks by outstanding professionals and speakers who share a passion for innovation, sustainability and the future of the European Union. Experts from various fields will share their insights and perspectives on the current challenges and opportunities facing the EU. This initiative is a valuable opportunity to network and gain a deeper understanding of the significance of the European project.

All events, which are free of charge, will be organized by the partner institutions and will be accessible both in person and online.

Have a look at the events organized by our school:

  • 13 May | 3.30 – 5.00 PM (CEST)
    Speaker: Maurizio Molinari, Head of European Parliament Liaison Office in Milan
    “The EU in a digital world: where to next?”
    Event in English; in person or online
    Click here to register.

 

  • 14 May | 6.00 – 7.00 PM (CEST)
    Speaker: Matteo Villa, Senior Research Fellow at ISPI and co-heads the ISPI Data Lab
    “Could the European Union aspire for Global Market Leadership in the current turbulent times?”
    Event in English; online
    Click here to register.

 

  • 19 May | 11.30 AM – 1.00 PM (CEST)
    Speaker: Michela Nardo, Deputy Head of unit at the Joint Research Centre in the Unit of Economic and Financial resilience
    “Is globalisation coming to an end? The EU amid current geopolitical challenges”
    Event in English; in person or online
    Click here to register.

 

To view the complete program and register for the events organized by European partners, visit the TUM Business School website.