When I first joined SP Jain School of Global Management, I knew I wanted my university experience to be about more than just academics. I wanted to explore ideas, challenge myself, learn from people with different perspectives and understand how business could be used as a force for positive change.

Today, being selected as the PRME Students Regional Leader for the Middle East feels like a meaningful milestone in that journey. What makes this achievement particularly special to me is that it feels like the culmination of so many experiences, conversations and opportunities that have shaped me throughout my time at SP Jain Global.

What drew me to the PRME initiative

The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) is a United Nations-supported initiative that works to advance responsible management education by integrating sustainability, responsibility and the Sustainable Development Goals into business and management education. For me, PRME represents something I have increasingly come to believe throughout my own journey: that business education should not only prepare us for successful careers, but also encourage us to think about the kind of impact we want to create.

Building on sustainability learnings within and beyond the classroom

My interest in sustainability did not come from one particular moment. It developed gradually through the experiences I had at SP Jain Global. My research work in sustainability further strengthened this interest, allowing me to explore responsible business models and think critically about how organisations can balance economic growth with environmental and social impact.
During my second year in the BBA program, I actively sought opportunities to take this learning beyond the classroom. I participated in sustainability workshops, engaged in conversations around global issues and challenged myself through competitions. Winning and participating in several competitions—including sustainability-focused challenges, such as the Net Zero Championship in the UAE, gave me the opportunity to apply ideas in practical settings, collaborate with others and think creatively about real-world challenges.

Adding a sustainability lens to my internship at EY

My professional experience in sustainability assurance during my internship at EY further helped me understand how these conversations translate into the corporate world. I saw how organisations are increasingly being challenged to measure their environmental and social impact and rethink how they define long-term success.

Connecting the dots to something bigger with PRME

Over time, all these experiences (my coursework, research, workshops, competitions, professional exposure and student leadership) began to connect. Looking back, I feel that each one played a role in eventually leading me to PRME.
The selection process for the PRME Students Regional Leader role was also a challenging and highly competitive journey. It involved multiple stages and a comprehensive evaluation of my overall profile, including my experiences, leadership journey, work in sustainability and vision for the role.

Moving with a robust support system

Throughout this process, I was incredibly grateful for the support and encouragement I received from the faculty and professors at SP Jain Global. Their guidance helped me reflect on my journey, articulate my ideas and approach the process with greater confidence. This achievement may have my name attached to it, but it has been shaped by the people who have supported and challenged me throughout the journey.

Here’s looking at what’s next as the Middle East representative

As the PRME Students Regional Leader for the Middle East, I am now most excited about what comes next. The Middle East is a region undergoing remarkable transformation, with ambitious sustainability agendas, rapidly evolving business ecosystems and a young generation that is increasingly engaged in shaping the future. I hope to create opportunities for students across the region to connect, exchange ideas and collaborate around sustainability and responsible management.
Most importantly, I want to encourage students to recognise that they do not need to wait until graduation, or until they hold a senior position, to start contributing to change. Sometimes, it begins with curiosity. Sometimes, it begins with asking a question. And sometimes, it begins with simply taking the opportunity in front of you.

In conclusion

As I begin this new chapter, I am incredibly grateful to SP Jain Global for providing me with a truly global learning environment that has allowed me to explore these interests beyond the classroom. Looking back, I realise that this role was not the result of one application or one achievement. It was the outcome of many small experiences that gradually shaped my journey and brought me here.
And now, I am incredibly excited to take the next step.
Here’s to connecting, collaborating and making this an impactful year ahead!

About the author

Gauri Menaria is our BBA student from the September 2024 intake. Her dedicated work has led to her being selected as the PRME Students Regional Leader for the Middle East region, a United Nations-supported initiative.

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