Students at the centre: education, sustainability and impact

Our students are the beating heart of POLIMI Graduate School of Management. Every initiative, every project, every training programme finds its raison d’être in the ability to offer students an excellent educational experience that combines personal growth, professional development, and concern for the future of the planet. The 2024 Impact Report devotes ample space to the story of how the School accompanies its students along a transformative learning path, consistent with the Purpose that guides all our activities: to be pioneers of education capable of generating sustainable value for individuals, organisations and society.

During this year, the School has welcomed a total of 3,275 students enrolled in the Open Programs and Management Academy programs, of whom 38% identify as women. In addition, around 14,500 participants from 160 companies have taken advantage of the courses, confirming the wide scope and relevance of our training offer in the current market.

Our commitment is reflected in internationally accredited programmes (“Triple Crown”) and recognised in major global rankings, including the Financial Times, QS, LinkedIn, Bloomberg, and CEO Magazine. In 2024, the School renewed important certifications, including ISO 9001, and confirmed its positioning as a transformative school thanks to the Positive Impact Rating, evaluated by the students themselves on various aspects of governance, culture, and institutional support.

The educational offer is distinguished by the strong integration of content related to sustainability, inclusion and equity, values inseparable from the School’s Purpose: “We nurture innovators to shape a better future for all.” In 2024, 38% of students took specific courses on sustainability issues, while four specialising master’s degrees were offered, focusing on key areas such as energy management, the circular economy, corporate social responsibility, and sustainable entrepreneurship. Management Academy courses have also expanded their portfolio, with seven programmes dedicated to ESG and leadership for impact.

Another important innovation was the adoption of the Sustainability Mindset Indicator (SMI), a tool developed to measure not only skills but also students’ awareness and the evolution of their thinking about sustainability. Over 400 students have already completed the first phase of this assessment, which highlights the School’s goal of training responsible, mindful leaders who are ready to lead change with a sustainable, purpose-driven approach.

The School also offers solid career support with the Career Development Centre, which enables students to set goals, design strategic plans, and develop cross-cutting skills with the support of certified psychologists, former headhunters, and career coaches. In 2024, this area organised networking events, thematic workshops, individual coaching and peer sessions, as well as initiatives focused on current and Purpose-based topics.

Wellbeing and innovation to support students are further enhanced by specific services, such as free psychological support for individual cases, mentoring services for new parents, and the possibility of using spaces for breastfeeding. 

Education is not limited to lessons: numerous engagement initiatives have been launched, such as international business games, workshops on Purpose and social impact, challenges with other European business schools, and projects dedicated to SDGs, in which dozens of students have participated. More than 20,000 alumni around the world represent another pillar of the community, actively participating through themed clubs, events and professional development programmes.

Our School therefore continues to confirm itself as a state-of-the-art management institution, where the centrality of our students translates into excellent education, integrated support, and a concrete commitment to a sustainable and inclusive future.

“At POLIMI Graduate School of Management, we believe in education that supports students in becoming agents of change: more aware, responsible and capable of generating a positive and sustainable impact on organisations and society.”

• Antonella Moretto, Associate Dean for Open Programs at POLIMI GSoM.

If you'd like to learn more about all the data, stories and projects, read the 2024 Impact Report here.