Creating a culture of sustainability: HEC Montréal's transformative journey
HEC Montréal, a renowned business school in Canada, has embarked on a remarkable journey to foster a culture of sustainability. Recognizing the urgent need to prepare students for a rapidly changing world, HEC Montréal implemented a comprehensive approach that involved not only curriculum changes but also a deep-rooted transformation of the institution's mission and values. This journey has also supported the school in meeting the rigorous standards of the STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System) certification, in which it has obtained Gold status.
Building a coalition for change
The sustainability director at HEC Montréal, Luciano Barin Cruz, recognized that to truly integrate sustainability into the curriculum, a collective effort was needed. He embarked on a mission to build a coalition of change, bringing together professors, directors, and other key stakeholders who shared his vision. This coalition became the driving force behind HEC Montréal's sustainability initiatives.
A data-driven approach supported this community to form and operate. In a survey to students, they asked whether they feel they will need sustainability knowledge for their careers, and 90% of them answered positively. Then, they surveyed their alumni whether they use this knowledge in their roles and 62% of them answered ‘yes’ – some of them is between 0-25% of their job description but a significant part that needed it for more than 25% of their job description. This was sufficient evidence to trigger true change.
A new mission for a sustainable future
One of the most significant outcomes of the coalition's efforts was the revision of HEC Montréal's school mission. The previous mission focused primarily on academic excellence. Recognizing the urgent need for sustainable leadership, the coalition proposed a new mission that emphasized the development of responsible leaders who would contribute to a sustainable society. This transformative change sent a powerful message to the entire school community, signalling a commitment to sustainability at the highest level.
The role of TASK™ in measuring progress
While the coalition, mission change, and data-driven approach were fundamental to HEC Montréal's transformation, TASK™ played a crucial role in measuring progress and providing tangible evidence of the school's achievements. By assessing student sustainability knowledge at the BBA and the MBA programs, TASK™ helps HEC Montréal identify areas where curriculum enhancements were needed and track the impact of its initiatives over time. This data is instrumental in demonstrating HEC Montréal's commitment to sustainability to stakeholders and meeting the requirements of STARS certification.
Connecting the dots: integrating data from TASK™ and syllabus surveys
HEC Montréal's commitment to data-driven decision-making extends beyond the TASK™ assessments. The school has also been collecting data from professors through syllabus surveys, asking them to report on the degree to which they integrate sustainability into their teaching. By combining data from TASK™ and syllabus surveys, HEC Montréal is able to create a more comprehensive picture of sustainability education at the institution.
This integrated approach allows HEC Montréal to identify correlations between student knowledge (as measured by TASK™) and the level of sustainability integration in faculty teaching. By analyzing these connections, the school can pinpoint areas where curriculum enhancements are most needed and provide targeted support to faculty members seeking to improve their sustainability teaching practices.
Building a story of sustainability progress
HEC Montréal's data collection efforts are not just about gathering information; they are about building a narrative of sustainability progress. All students of the Bachelor of Business Adminstration and the MBA were invited to take TASK™ at the beginning of their program in September 2024, and will be repeating the assessment before they graduate. By tracking student knowledge over time and correlating it with faculty teaching practices, HEC Montréal can tell a compelling story of how its sustainability initiatives are evolving.
Forming responsible leaders
Beyond the insightful data for the school, TASK™ has a positive impact on students.
“We want to nurture responsible leaders. Throughout their learning journey, we want to develop their knowledge, their sense of responsibility and their capacity to act. TASK™ enables students to acknowledge these responsibilities they’ll have as managers,”
explains Luc Bélanger-Martin, senior lecturer in the Department of Management and co-founder and head of transfer activities of Arpege, a research hub in management pedagogy at HEC Montréal.
Conclusion
Conscious of the challenges ahead, HEC Montréal is making a strong and comprehensive effort to inspire future generations of sustainable leaders. This success story is a testament to the power of collective action, a clear vision, and a commitment to data-driven decision-making.
