UQ Business School were among the major sponsors of this year’s Premier’s Sustainability Awards, held on Friday 8 June at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Hosted by Andrew Powell, Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection, the gala awards recognised innovative and successful eco-efficient practices throughout community, business and industry.

Attracting 141 nominations across 11 categories the finalists represented a diverse range of state-wide businesses, schools, individuals, not-for-profit organisations and local governments, all of whom were actively helping reduce the state’s carbon footprint and improve business sustainability.

Professor John Cole, Director of the Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development at the University of Southern Queensland, was the recipient of the key Premier’s Award which recognised his outstanding contribution to promoting and advancing business sustainability in Queensland over the past 30 years.

Andrew Griffiths, Dean of UQ Business School, said: “UQ Business School were honoured to be a part of the Premier’s Sustainability Awards, as it demonstrates our commitment to developing sustainable practices through innovation and engagement with surrounding communities.”

Kerry Waters, General Manager of Corporate Communications at the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection added: “It was encouraging to see so many sponsors attend the night to host tables of guests eager to hear stories from Queensland’s environmental champions. Their support has allowed us to be able to continue to recognise organisations, schools and communities at the forefront of sustainability – a worthy cause indeed.”

About UQ Business School

The University of Queensland Business School is independently ranked as one of the top business schools in Australia and amongst the leading institutions worldwide. Based in Brisbane, it brings together over 130 subject experts with over 7,000 students and offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs and executive education across the range of business disciplines.

UQ Business School is renowned internationally for the quality of its research and also provides contract research and consultancy services to organisations throughout the world. The teaching – research – consultancy loop is central to its success, ensuring that the school maintains its position at the forefront of academic knowledge while staying closely attuned to modern business requirements. For further information see www.business.uq.edu.au

Fast facts

• UQ Business School was the first in Australia to meet the standards of the world’s two most influential accrediting bodies - the US-based AACSB International and Europe’s EQUIS.
• It is ranked in the world’s top 50 universities for executive education by the Financial Times.
• Its MBA program is rated in the top 50 worldwide by The Economist and in the top two in Australia by the AFR’s BOSS Magazine.
• The MBA course has been awarded the highest possible rating of five stars for seven years running by Australia’s most influential rating body, the GMAA.
• The school was classed as above world standard in its 4 major fields of business research in the Australian government’s ERA assessment