Recently, students from NIIE Institute (Interlingual Institute of Education) – Nguyen Tat Thanh University participated in the workshop “ESG and Sustainable Business: The Future of Responsible Organizations,” led by Dr. Prerna Kumari, Assistant Professor of Management, College of Business, Abu Dhabi University (UAE). The workshop provided students with updated insights into ESG and the role of sustainable development as businesses worldwide face growing environmental, social, and governance challenges.
Representing NIIE at the workshop were Dr. Nguyen Manh Hoang – Vice Director of NIIE, Dr. Ngo To Giao – Head of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Program, Dr. Ta Huu Hien – NIIE Lecturer, and Dr. Nguyen Duc Hoai Anh – NIIE Lecturer. The event attracted a large number of students from various disciplines, particularly those studying business, logistics, management, and finance.
An Expert with More Than 16 Years of Experience in Management and Sustainability
Dr. Prerna Kumari is currently an Assistant Professor of Management at the College of Business, Abu Dhabi University. She holds a Doctor of Business Administration degree from the University of Northampton (United Kingdom) and brings over 16 years of experience in education, human resource management, and academic research.
In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Dr. Prerna Kumari is an active researcher with numerous publications in Scopus Q1 and Q2 journals covering management, leadership, human resources, and sustainable development. She has also been involved in designing and delivering ESG and Sustainability training programs for businesses and public-sector organizations in the UAE.
When ESG Is No Longer Just a Concern for Large Corporations
At the beginning of the workshop, the speaker discussed the evolving mindset of business management worldwide. While companies once focused primarily on financial performance, the current trend emphasizes creating sustainable value and balancing economic, social, and environmental interests.
As a result, ESG is no longer viewed simply as a branding or communication initiative. Instead, it has become an important framework for risk management and long-term business development.
One topic that generated significant interest among students was the distinction between CSR and ESG. According to the speaker, while Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) often focuses on voluntary social initiatives, ESG is measured through specific indicators and data, making it a key criterion used by investors and financial institutions to evaluate a company’s sustainability performance.
The workshop also examined the ESG landscape in Vietnam, where an increasing number of businesses are committing to ESG-related goals. Through these discussions, students gained broader perspectives on future corporate governance trends and the important role that younger generations can play in advancing sustainable development models.
A New Perspective for Students in the Era of Sustainable Development
Beyond professional knowledge, the workshop helped students better understand how ESG is influencing business operations, investment decisions, and corporate governance on a global scale. Through real-world examples from the UAE and other countries, participants gained valuable insights into the new standards and expectations shaping modern businesses.
As the program concluded, students walked away not only with a deeper understanding of ESG and sustainability but also with greater awareness of the management trends influencing the future of organizations worldwide. The workshop was part of NIIE’s international academic activities, designed to connect students with global experts, update their knowledge, and prepare them for future careers in an increasingly international and sustainability-focused business environment.
