Calgary, University of Haskayne School of Business

The Haskayne School of Business is closely linked to globally-oriented resource-based industries headquartered in western Canada, namely energy, mining, forestry and tourism. These industries were the first to feel the effects of societal changes with respect to demands for sustainable development. Consequently, Haskayne has played a leadership role in integrating management of environmental and social impact issues into the MBA curriculum.

Environmental and social impact management has been integrated into core disciplinary courses of the MBA. Specialized MBA courses covering environmental and social impact are offered regularly as electives. In 2003-2004 we introduced two new courses called "Sustainable Resource Development with Indigenous People" and "Leadership Rediscovered: The Haskayne Wilderness Experience". This latter course is an experiential course focused on leadership for sustainability and was conducted at a field station in the Rocky Mountains.

Since 1994, an MBA specialization has been offered in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development. Beginning in 1996 an MSc in Energy and Environment for Latin America has been offered in Quito, Ecuador. Based on its success, in 2002 an MSc in Energy and Environment for the Caribbean was established in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago. That same year, an MBA specialization in Global Energy Management and Sustainable Development (GEMS) was created in Calgary with students drawn from Canada and from our collaborative MBA program in Beijing, China. Also in 2002, an MBA (GEMS) program was established in Tehran, Iran for the energy industry. The Haskayne School also offers "Competitive Strategy and Sustainable Development" sessions in non-degree executive programs.

Two major new research initiatives were undertaken in 2003-2004 in the area of sustainable development innovation (SDI), and in resource extraction, sustainable development and indigenous people.

Haskayne MBA student and alumni conferences regularly feature corporate social responsibility. The Haskayne School of Business has developed many original conceptual and case teaching materials dealing with resource industries and sustainability in an international context. These are used in Master's programs.

Professor Harrie Vredenburg has hosted a popular monthly environmental management/sustainable development public seminar series at Haskayne since 1994, featuring expert speakers from academia, industry, government and NGOs locally, nationally and internationally. This program is well attended by students, industry, government agency and NGO representatives, providing an ideal forum for discussing sustainable development and social impact issues.