Business education is changing, and the institutions shaping that change are preparing graduates for a world where sustainability influences markets, regulation, and corporate reputation. Corvinus University of Budapest demonstrated its position in this shift at the 13th Responsible Management Education Research (RMER) Conference, hosted by Leuphana University in Lüneburg, Germany, from 31 August to 4 September 2026. The university presented research findings, shared two internationally recognised teaching innovations, and celebrated a milestone for its student community: Corvinus PhD candidate Rahma Ben Lazreg was elected a PRME European Student Leader.
For prospective students, educators, and professionals tracking the direction of business schools, the conference offers practical insight into where responsible management education is heading. It also shows what to look for when choosing a programme. Explore Corvinus University of Budapest’s bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programmes to see how these principles translate into degrees you can study today.
Reclaim, Resist, Reimagine: The Questions Defining Responsible Management Education
The 2026 RMER conference carried the title “Reclaim, Resist, Reimagine: Sustainability and the Future of Responsible Management Education.” The three-part framing captures the tension currently running through business schools worldwide. “Reclaim” calls on educators to reaffirm the core values of sustainability and social responsibility at a time when those values face political and public pushback. “Resist” acknowledges the growing opposition to sustainability agendas and asks how institutions should respond without abandoning their commitments. “Reimagine” challenges universities to rethink what management education should look like for the next generation of leaders.
At the centre of the discussion sat one practical question: how can business education change so that future leaders not only understand sustainability challenges but are also capable of acting responsibly when decisions carry real costs and trade-offs? That question matters for students choosing where to study. A degree that treats sustainability as an optional elective prepares graduates for a business environment that no longer exists.
Inside the PRME Champions Community: Corvinus’ International Role
The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) initiative, supported by the United Nations, connects business schools committed to embedding responsibility and sustainability into teaching, research, and institutional practice. During the two-day meeting that preceded the main conference, Corvinus joined the international community of PRME Champion institutions at the second in-person meeting of the 2026–2027 Champion cycle.
Corvinus and the PRME Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) Chapter were represented by Katalin Ásványi, Dean for Sustainability at Corvinus and Chair of the Chapter, and Zsófia Nemes, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Sustainable Development and Secretary of the Chapter. Their participation placed the university among the institutions actively shaping how PRME develops its global framework.
Several themes from the meeting signal where responsible management education is heading. Participants examined the further development of the annual reporting system for PRME signatories, discussed how institutional data and experiences could serve as a foundation for new international research, and explored cooperation between PRME working groups and regional Chapters. An interactive session led by David Steingard, Head of PRME, looked ahead to the initiative’s 20th anniversary in 2027, prompting members to reflect collectively on its long-term mission, strategic directions, and future cooperation with the UN Global Compact.
For students, this level of institutional engagement matters. Universities embedded in international networks bring current debates, visiting experts, and collaborative projects into the classroom rather than relying solely on textbooks.
Learning from Practice: A Social Enterprise Case in Lüneburg
The Champions meeting also included a visit to HEYHO, a social enterprise based in Lüneburg. The company combines granola production with a social mission: it creates employment opportunities for people who face greater barriers to entering the labour market because of circumstances in their lives. The visit gave participants a concrete example of how a viable business model and measurable social value can operate together.
That kind of exposure matters for business students. Case studies in a lecture hall explain the concept of social enterprise; standing inside one shows the operational decisions, staffing realities, and trade-offs behind it. When evaluating business programmes, ask how often classroom theory connects to organisations working on these problems in the real economy.
Student Leadership: A Corvinus PhD Candidate Becomes PRME European Student Leader
The main conference engaged the next generation from its opening day. During the Student Design Jam, students from different countries and academic disciplines worked on sustainability challenges built around future scenarios, developing potential solutions with design thinking methods.
Among the participants was Rahma Ben Lazreg, a PhD student at Corvinus, whose involvement produced a notable result: her election as a PRME European Student Leader. In this role, she will contribute to the international work of the PRME student community and represent the student perspective at European level in discussions about the future of responsible management education.
Her election illustrates a point worth noting for anyone considering doctoral study: research degrees are no longer confined to the library. Programmes that support student participation in international forums build networks, communication skills, and professional visibility that shape careers long after graduation. Have questions about Corvinus’ doctoral programmes or the admissions process? Write to the university’s admissions team for answers tailored to your background.
Two Corvinus Educational Innovations Presented to an International Audience
Corvinus’ academic contribution came in the session dedicated to “Innovative pedagogies and impactful practice for responsible management education.” Katalin Ásványi, Zsuzsanna Marjainé Szerényi, and Zsófia Nemes presented two teaching approaches that had already earned both international and university-level recognition.
The Corvinus Green Podcast: Students as Science Communicators
The first presentation focused on the Corvinus Green Podcast, a project built on a “from students to students” philosophy. Rather than simply studying sustainability, students become active contributors to science communication. They produce episodes that make academic research and sustainability-related issues accessible and understandable to younger audiences, with the first episodes already available to listeners.
The approach earned a Disciplinary Honorable Mention in the Communications and Media Studies category of the 2026 PRME Education Awards. For students, the underlying lesson is valuable in any field: the ability to translate complex research into clear, engaging content is a professional skill that employers across industries now expect.
Challenge-Based Learning: Connecting Classroom Knowledge to Real Problems
The second presentation introduced challenge-based learning, a methodology in which students work on real-world sustainability challenges. Instead of analysing hypothetical cases, students connect classroom knowledge with the solution of actual organisational and societal problems. The methodology received Corvinus’ Spotlight on Teaching Award, reflecting its impact on how students learn and apply what they study.
Challenge-based learning addresses one of the most persistent problems in business education: the gap between knowing and doing. Graduates consistently report that applying frameworks inside real organisations feels different from studying them. Programmes that build this bridge during the degree—not after it—produce graduates who arrive in the workplace ready to contribute. Learn more about ethics, responsibility, and sustainability initiatives at Corvinus to see how these methods run through the university’s wider activity.
Practical Takeaways for Future Business and Sustainability Students
The discussions in Lüneburg—both on stage and in the parallel sessions—offer concrete guidance for anyone choosing a business degree or planning a career in sustainability-focused roles:
- Look for integration, not add-ons. Katalin Ásványi emphasised during the panel discussion that sustainability should not appear in business education merely as another separate topic; it should reshape what good management education means. When comparing programmes, check whether sustainability appears throughout the curriculum or only in isolated courses.
- Prioritise programmes that close the education-action gap. Conference sessions examined the distance between what students learn and what they actually do. Challenge-based learning, live projects, and partnerships with real organisations indicate that a programme takes this gap seriously.
- Build science communication skills. Initiatives like the Corvinus Green Podcast show how students can develop the ability to explain complex issues clearly—a skill that sets candidates apart in consulting, corporate communications, policy, and management roles.
- Follow developments in artificial intelligence. Parallel sessions addressed the role of generative AI in responsible management education. Future managers will need to understand both the capabilities and the ethical questions these tools raise.
- Engage with international communities early. From the Student Design Jam to PRME student leadership, the opportunities highlighted at this conference went to students who participated. Networks built during study often become professional assets for decades.
The parallel sessions also explored transformative learning and futures thinking, reflecting a broader shift toward teaching students not just to analyse the present but to reason systematically about scenarios and long-term change. These are precisely the competencies employers seek in roles related to ESG, strategy, and sustainable operations.
Taking the Next Step in Responsible Management Education
Corvinus University of Budapest left Lüneburg with more than presentations and panel appearances. The university strengthened its role in the PRME Champions community, advanced the work of the PRME CEE Chapter, showcased teaching methods recognised internationally, and gained student representation at the European level through Rahma Ben Lazreg’s election. Together, these results show an institution moving from discussing the future of responsible management education to actively building it.
For prospective students, the message is straightforward: universities that invest in these methods and networks are best positioned to prepare you for careers where sustainability and business performance intersect. Review the application information and deadlines to start planning your studies, and check the available scholarships and discounts to understand your funding options.
If you have already studied at a university leading in responsible management education, share your experience in the comments below—your perspective can help the next cohort decide. And if you are ready to apply, submit your application today and take the first step toward a business education built for the challenges ahead.
