The Community Knowledge Bank is a centralized repository at the Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS) dedicated to preserving and sharing all documents, reports, and resources related to Estidama (MCBS Center for Sustainability). This platform serves as a valuable hub for students, faculty, and staff to access comprehensive materials that support sustainability initiatives, research, and best practices within the college. It fosters collaboration and promotes a culture of environmental and social responsibility by providing a well-organized and easily accessible collection of knowledge essential for advancing the principles of Estidama at MCBS.
To demonstrate its commitment to sustainability, the Modern College of Business and Science announced that we have become a Signatory Member of the Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) – a United Nations-supported initiative that aims to raise the profile of sustainability in business schools around the world, equipping business students with the understanding and ability to deliver change tomorrow.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all developed and developing countries in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests. Source: https://sdgs.un.org/goals
In March 2024, the Modern College of Business and Science became a signatory of the SDG Accord. The SDG Accord calls upon universities and colleges to embed the UN Sustainable Development Goals into their education, research, leadership, operations, administration, and engagement activities.
We Accord Signatories recognize:
– The universal set of goals—people, prosperity, planet, partnership, and peace—is indivisible and interconnected.
– As educators, we are responsible for playing a central and transformational role in attaining the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
And we thereby assert…that as leaders or individual practitioners, academics, students, or researchers, we will:
– Align all significant efforts with the SDGs, targets, and indicators, including through our education, research, leadership, operational, and engagement activities;
– Aim to involve members from all key stakeholder groups in this endeavor, including students, academics, professional staff, local communities, and other external stakeholders;
– Collaborate across cities, regions, countries, and continents with other signatory institutions as part of a collective international response;
– Using our own unique ways, inform, share our learning, and account to both local and global communities our progress toward the SDGs;
– Annual report on ‘How does my institution, MCBS, contribute to the SDGs, and what more can we do?’
Signatories
[As of 11 March 2024]
Muneer Al Maskari, PhD Executive Chairman Modern College of Business and Science
Aisha Al Kharusi Deputy Executive Chair Modern College of Business and Science
Dr Said Al Kittani Associate Dean of Community Outreach Modern College of Business and Science
The Sustainable Development Club aims to empower students to make a tangible impact on sustainability both on campus and beyond. Focused on action, the club teaches sustainable business practices and applies them to address real-world challenges. Members can participate in recycling drives, reduce energy consumption, and promote responsible sourcing at campus events, improving our environmental footprint. The club also collaborates with local businesses on green initiatives, advocates for sustainable practices within the college, organizes workshops and speaker series, and brainstorms innovative solutions to sustainability challenges. Together, we strive to create meaningful change locally and globally. Read more…
MCBS Environment Club organized a Seminar on Musical Clean ups which was presented by a very popular Omani Environmentalist- Mr. Fahad Al Abri on October 16th, 2023. He insisted on the importance of keeping our beaches and parks clean and green and the significance of getting rid of plastics. Mr. Fahad made the seminar even more interesting by involving the students in singing along with him in his ukelele!.
In its pursuit of enhanced sustainable development efforts, MCBS has embarked on a collaborative approach by fostering strategic partnerships with government ministries, industry leaders, and relevant organizations. The Ministry of Economy, Be’ah (Oman Environmental Services Holding Company), and the Center for Sustainability and Excellence are among the initial entities with whom MCBS has established collaborations to promote sustainable practices.
To foster a sustainability-conscious work environment and raise awareness of the significance of sustainable practices, MCBS implemented a competition titled “Ten Ways to Encourage Environmentally Conscious Workplace” as part of its Staff Day activities. Divided into four teams, faculty and staff collaboratively designed and presented posters outlining their proposed methods for promoting environmental responsibility within the workplace. A jury comprised of the Dean, Associate Deans, and professors evaluated the presentations.
MCBS faculty actively contribute to the field of sustainable development. Their research is published in prestigious journals and presented at international conferences, fostering international collaboration with esteemed colleagues. Notably, a recent paper titled “Underpinning Sustainability Paradigms: Circular Economy and Enhanced Triple Bottom Line” was presented at the Singidunum University International Scientific Conference (FINIZ) in Belgrade, Serbia. This collaboration involved a professor from Singidunum University, a valued academic partner of MCBS.
MCBS recognizes the impact of sustainability in addressing local and global environmental challenges and promotes sustainability within its operations and policies. As a result, MCBS developed a rolling 3-year strategy aligned with its mission, vision, and values. the five-pillar strategy demonstrates our commitment to integrating sustainable practices into all aspects of MCBS’s operations. Most importantly, we value fostering a culture of sustainability among students, faculty, and staff.
The five perspectives of MCBS’s sustainability strategy are realized through the objectives that are effectively translated into actionable initiatives:
1- Education: Integrate sustainability principles into the institution’s educational framework.
Objective: Increase awareness of sustainability among students and faculty.
Actions:
2- Staff & Faculty Engagement (Research): Foster a culture of sustainability within academic and research activities.
Objective: Empower staff and faculty to understand and apply sustainability in their roles.
Actions:
3- Student Engagement: Empower students to become active participants and leaders in sustainability efforts.
Objective: Involve students in sustainability club and events.
Actions:
4- Campus Practices & Operations: Implement sustainable practices in campus operations to reduce the institution’s environmental footprint.
Objective: Measure MCBS’ carbon footprint and prepare a road map for net zero.
Actions:
5- Community & Global Engagement: Build partnerships and foster knowledge exchange with local and global communities.
Objective: Establish partnerships, affiliations, and memberships with community and international organizations.
Actions:
MCBS team, Kahatain, made a lasting impression on “BIG GIVE”, an event organized by Dar Al Atta, one of the premier charitable organizations in Oman. The Kahatain team worked to reduce the financial burdens on orphans, as part of their focus on orphan support, knowing well that orphans are among the most vulnerable groups to poverty. They had put up donation stalls in popular malls across Muscat to raise awareness, inspire donations, and foster a community-driven spirit toward the financial support of orphans. This directly supports SDG 1 by addressing the financial needs of the vulnerable young ones, hence contributing much toward the reduction of poverty. The prize for outstanding work really reflects the commitment and dedication of MCBS students toward making a real difference in the world.
In collaboration with Oman Cancer Association, MCBS organized awareness activities and assisted in ticket sales for the Association’s 20th Annual Walkathon event. Through this event, MCBS supported the well-being of patients suffering from cancer who often face very serious financial pressure due to the cost of healthcare. It also served to mobilize community support, rallying individuals to contribute towards a cause that indirectly supports financial
relief for patients, thereby aligning with SDG 1 by addressing at least one layer of poverty through community-backed financial support.
In collaboration with Oman Cancer Association, MCBS organized awareness activities and assisted in ticket sales for the Association’s 20th Annual Walkathon event. Through this event, MCBS supported the well-being of patients suffering from cancer who often face very serious financial pressure due to the cost of healthcare. It also served to mobilize community support, rallying individuals to contribute towards a cause that indirectly supports financial
relief for patients, thereby aligning with SDG 1 by addressing at least one layer of poverty through community-backed financial support.
MCBS is committed to empowering individuals through job opportunities and fostering economic stability. In this sense, by listing job openings for our students, alumni, and even external people, we are contributing to reducing unemployment and granting financial independence to young professionals in Oman. This would also support economic growth and financial empowerment—two very important elements to reduce poverty through creation of pathways for self-sustaining income among diverse groups.
The Sustainable Development and Innovation Research Group (SDIRG) at Modern College of Business and Science (MCBS) is dedicated to advancing knowledge and practices that promote sustainable development across various sectors. The group focuses on exploring innovative strategies, leadership approaches, sustainable management and policy, sustainability and organizational excellence, and organizational practices that drive sustainability, environmental responsibility, and long-term societal impact.
Our mission is to conduct interdisciplinary research that contributes to sustainable business practices, eco-leadership, and responsible innovation, while aligning with global sustainability goals. SDIRG aims to collaborate with academics, policymakers, and industry leaders to address sustainability challenges and inspire transformative changes for a more resilient and equitable future.
Phone: (+968) 24583 578
Email: sustainability@mcbs.edu.om
Bawshar Street Way No. 273
Building No. 259
Sultanate of Oman
(+968) 24 583500
(+968) 24 583516
(+968) 24 583525
info@mcbs.edu.om
©2023 Modern College of Business and Science. All rights reserved.
Sustainability Specialist/Coordinator
Aleksandra Minic is a sustainability specialist and educator, currently pursuing a PhD in Contemporary Business Decision Making with a focus on sustainable development. She has developed sustainability-focused courses such as the “Introduction to Sustainable Development”, aimed at integrating sustainability into business education. Her research explores critical topics like the Circular Economy, the Triple Bottom Line, and energy transition readiness in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states. She has presented her work at international conferences, including papers like “Underpinning Sustainability Paradigms: Circular Economy and Enhanced Triple Bottom Line”.
Leveraging a diverse background in English language education and management across Oman, South Korea, Turkey, and Serbia, Aleksandra is committed to operationalizing sustainability both in academic settings and in broader community-based projects, reflecting her deep commitment to driving global sustainable development.
Email: alexandra@mcbs.edu.om