Environmental, social, and governance
Our
impact

Creating a brighter, more sustainable world through education

We’re committed to having a positive effect on the world around us. Our work across ESG, which we call Impact at Global University Systems, has been marked by intention, collaboration and action.

Our institutions are joining us on the journey to making mindful and positively impactful choices.

Committing to ESG principles and ensuring that they’re seamlessly woven into our Group and our institutions is not always an easy or direct path. We are a complex, growing network in an increasingly nuanced world and we plan to meet those challenges head-on. From sustainable campus initiatives to local community engagement programmes to global scholarship schemes, we harness the energy and commitment from across our Group to deliver our ESG strategies.

Stimulating real impact in education
ESG strategy

Driving Impact with a purposeful strategy

We have identified our material impact (materiality), and have harnessed the energy from our Group into a global taskforce, and established 20 shared goals.

Our ESG strategy has focused on building the foundations for a comprehensive series of initiatives across our group.

Our work focuses on committing, collaborating, systemising, and learning. We believe impact should be interwoven with corporate objectives, as demonstrated by our purpose to build a better, more sustainable world through education.

A group of students and community members pose for a photo in front of a banner displaying the logos of "Ignite Africa Campaign" and "BSBI for the Community." The banner indicates support for an educational initiative. Many of the students are wearing navy blue and light blue hijabs, while some adults in the group are dressed in different attire, including a pink hijab and a black jacket. The setting is outdoors with a tiled floor and a light-colored building wall in the background. The group appears engaged and supportive of the community initiative.

Focusing on three objectives
Achieving real
impact

Progressing towards our goals

By equipping our internal teams and sustainability leaders from across our institutions, with the tools and information needed to work towards our goals collectively.

Aligning our activities across the Group

By doubling down on partnerships and events so that together we can make real progress.

Amplifying our story

By communicating GUS Group’s initiatives bringing our purpose to life for our audience and the sector.

Three people smiling, holding small plant pots, in a decorated booth with greenery. They are wearing matching Earth Day t-shirts.

Shaping a brighter
future

A bold mission

Education transforms careers, lives and societies. Our mission extends beyond classrooms, across four impact themes: Education, Equality, Environment, and Ethics.

These guide our actions and decisions, ensuring we contribute to a brighter future.

Our ESG themes

As we strive for excellence, we are equally committed to ensuring that our operations and decisions are grounded in principles that promote a better future for all.

Our four ESG themes underpin our holistic approach to sustainability.

Education

At the heart of our mission is the drive to provide world-class education and foster an environment of lifelong learning. We believe that by empowering individuals with knowledge and skills, we can catalyse profound societal transformation.

Enviroment

Recognising the pressing global environmental challenges, we have begun to take steps to reduce our footprint. From green campuses to sustainable research projects, we’re expanding environmental responsibility into every facet of our operations.

Equality

We actively champion the cause of equality across all our institutions. This goes beyond mere representation; we strive to ensure that everyone, regardless of background, has equal access to opportunities and resources. This commitment is reflected in our diverse student body, our global faculty, and the partnerships we forge.

Ethics

The academic world is built upon a foundation of trust and integrity. We are uncompromising in our adherence to the highest ethical standards, ensuring that our research, teaching, and administrative processes are transparent, accountable, and conducted with the utmost integrity.

An important part of our educational philosophy is to align our practices with global standards.

Read our 2024 Sustainability report here

Read our 2023 Sustainability report here

Reports and policies

Alignment with the UN’s SDGs
Our goals

To guide our impact strategy, we have aligned with five of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These Sustainable Development Goals represent the areas where we believe our collective expertise and influence can make the most significant and meaningful impact. Our selection process was driven by an evaluation of our prioritised topics, our capabilities, the needs of the global community, and the regions we serve.

United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals Number 4 Quality Education

United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals Number 5 Gender Equality

United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals Number 8 Decent work and economic growth

United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals Number 10 Reduced inequalities

United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals Number 13 Climate action

We’re committed to these goals as we work toward creating a better, more sustainable world through education. These goals won’t remain static. As we learn and grow, and the world us changes, so will our shared goals.

Our shared goals
2024-2040

shared goals
across the Group and institutions

themes:
Environment, Education, Ethics, Equality

Double materiality assessment

In our ongoing commitment to sustainability, we conducted a double materiality assessment in 2023 and will replicate this every three years.

The assessment evaluated the impact of our activities on society and the environment and how sustainability issues affect the Group and our institutions’ ability to create value.

Topic Identification:

We identified 20 topics after reviewing SASB, GRI, and MSCI categories, conducting market analysis, and assessing our institutions’ current disclosures.

Engagement:

We engaged with over 650 stakeholders across five key stakeholder groups: Students, Institution Leaders, GUS Group Leadership, Employees and Agents.

Prioritisation:

Participants were asked to rate the importance that GUS measures, reports, and improves on each topic. These responses were used to prioritise topics, considering their importance to internal and external stakeholders.

Impactful
initiatives

The Pink Bear

The Pink Bear Project is an initiative by the University of Europe for Applied Sciences and LUAP.

The University of Europe for Applied Sciences (UE) partnered with British artist Paul Robinson (LUAP) on this project combining art, education, and community engagement. UE awarded 17 LUAP Pink Bear Scholarships worth €250,000 to support talented students facing financial barriers.

The initiative’s centrepiece, the Pink Bear Pavilion, is a 4-meter-tall installation made from recycled plastics, featuring works by UE students and alumni. This campaign promotes educational access, sustainability, and cultural engagement, reflecting a holistic approach to fostering individual growth and community development.

A large crowd gathers around a giant pink bear under a blue sky in a park. A white tent is set up in the background among trees. People are walking and chatting, enjoying the outdoor event.

Understanding Indigenous History: A Path Forward

Understanding Indigenous History: A Path Forward is a six-part series, produced by University Canada West (UCW) that explores the history of the First Nations peoples of Canada.

It was created to raise awareness about this significant yet often overlooked part of Canada’s history.

The series, presented by well-known and loved Canadian TV presenters, delves into the history of First Nations peoples and the path to truth and reconciliation. It intends to encourage meaningful conversation, improve education access, and contribute to society.

Enabling access to education

FutureLearn is offering Afghan women free access to its premium digital learning platform in response to the Taliban’s ban on women’s higher education.

This initiative provides over 1,200 courses from top British universities, enabling Afghan women to continue their education despite restrictions.

It demonstrates a commitment to educational equality and serves as a lifeline for those with internet access, supporting their right to education and offering hope during challenging times.

Two women in hijabs sitting in black chairs, smiling and looking at each other. One wears a brown scarf and holds a laptop, while the other is in a yellow outfit with a patterned scarf. A potted plant and framed pictures are in the background.

ESG news

Read about our ESG-related news here.

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Environmental, social, and governanceOurimpact

ESG ReportsOur impactreporting

Our reporting cycle concludes annually in Q4

ESG Reports
Our impact
reporting