Most business school rankings measure academic performance and reputation. But the Positive Impact Rating (PIR) offers a distinctive measure of business education. 

Developed through a global collaboration among students, faculty, and international organizations, the PIR relies on students’ evaluations of their business schools to assess how effectively they prepare them to lead responsibly and contribute to a more sustainable and equitable future.

This year, feedback from students at LAU’s Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB) earned their school a Level 3 – Progressing School distinction in the 2026 PIR,  and a place among a select group of institutions worldwide recognized for empowering change agents to address society’s most pressing challenges.

The 2026 edition brought together 87 business schools across 32 countries and nearly 20,000 student evaluations, making it one of the largest global initiatives dedicated to responsible management education. The scale of participation highlights the growing international recognition of responsible leadership and sustainability as defining priorities for business schools.

For AKSOB, the recognition reflects years of advancing purpose-driven business education. In recent years, the school has integrated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals across its curriculum, strengthened the work of its Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Committee, and advanced societal impact through its AACSB Continuous Improvement Review process. Together, these efforts have helped shape a learning environment where responsible leadership is embedded throughout the student experience.

The Level 3 designation recognizes schools that demonstrate measurable progress in responsible management education, signaling that sustainability and societal engagement have become integral to the school’s culture, teaching, and strategic priorities.

The achievement is also significant within the region. While no business school in the Arab world reached the highest Level 5 – Pioneering School distinction in 2026 and only two attained Level 4 – Transforming School status, AKSOB now stands among a select group of regional institutions making meaningful progress toward advancing positive societal impact through business education.

For the school, however, the milestone marks another step forward rather than a final destination. The findings will help guide future priorities as AKSOB continues to strengthen its impact and advance toward Level 4 in future PIR assessments.

As expectations of business schools continue to evolve, AKSOB remains committed to educating leaders who understand that business success and societal progress go hand in hand, creating lasting value for organizations, communities, and society.