Torrens University Recertified as B Corp
Torrens Global Education, the ANZ arm of Strategic Education, Inc., comprising Torrens University Australia, Think Education (AU), and Media Design School (NZ), has been recertified as a Certified B Corporation for the third time, reaffirming their dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of their students and staff and improving their communities and environmental impact.
The B Corp certification process is a rigorous evaluation that acknowledges for-profit companies for their use of business as a force for good by enforcing strict standards for social and environmental performance. Unlike other business certifications, B Corp certification is unique in that it evaluates a company's entire social and environmental impact.
Linda Brown, the President and CEO of Torrens University Australia, stated that the recertification as a B Corp indicates the university's dedication to enhancing its impact as an education provider and producing global graduates who possess an inherent sense of social responsibility.
“Torrens University Australia was founded with a fundamental belief that profit and purpose go hand in hand. We want to disrupt the traditional models of tertiary education and prove that private enterprise can and should deliver significant public good.
“We are proud to be the only university in Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand to be a certified B Corporation and part of the community of over 6000+ certified B Corps globally who have one unifying goal: to redefine business success,” said Ms Brown.
The recertification of Torrens Global Education as a B Corp recognises its dedication to creating social and environmental impact through education. This includes offering AUD 137 million in university scholarships in 2020 and 2021, generating an economic impact of AUD 2.6 billion, increasing accessibility with 22% of students from traditionally underserved populations, providing free short courses and digital learning to over 275,000 people during the pandemic, and achieving a 6 Green Star rating for its Media Design School in Auckland, which incorporates recycled rainwater for the living wall, solar panels on the roof, and electric vehicle charging points in the car park.
According to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Alwyn Louw, Torrens University's students gain valuable academic knowledge along with opportunities to acquire work experience with industries focused on creating social impact, thanks to the university's Social Enterprise Hub. This is achieved through completing social entrepreneurship subjects and being encouraged to participate in renowned global social enterprise competitions, such as Oxford University's Map the System competition.
“B Corp certification is a philosophy that underpins all our courses and approach to research. Our researchers actively use their expertise and knowledge to create positive change in areas such as health, workplace culture, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence – and their work is shared with everyone through our Research that Matters podcasts, blogs, and media articles. Our researchers can be instrumental in influencing important policy changes, which then lead to changes with key people such as doctors and healthcare workers, who play a critical role in improving the lives of many.
“All students are encouraged to become changemakers who think about how they can be part of a solution that balances people, profit, and the environment,” said Professor Louw.
“Torrens University Australia’s certification as a B Corp is a celebration of our commitment to being a profitable and sustainable business that transforms lives through education.”
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Source: Torrens University
