Photo caption: Alex Holmes and Edze Bierema accept the Business School of the Year award at the 2025 PIEoneer Awards at Guildhall in London.
The annual PIEoneer Awards celebrate institutions worldwide that are shaping the future of learning. Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC)’s Business School was the only Australasian finalist in the ‘Business School of the Year’ category – and the first New Zealand business school to win the award.
The Business School’s success was driven by its culturally focused Tūhono programme and globally oriented Industry Project. These initiatives were commended for strengthening cultural intelligence, fostering meaningful connections between domestic and international students, and enhancing job readiness. Both initiatives have earned outstanding satisfaction scores while delivering real-world experience and international employability outcomes.
Executive Dean of Business Professor Paul Ballantine said the recognition affirms the faculty’s mission. “We’re not just in the business of education – we're in the business of making a difference. This award affirms the dedication of our team to creating meaningful, real-world experiences for our students, and it shows that we’re equipping graduates with the skills, confidence and global outlook to succeed wherever their careers take them.”
UC Business School Internationalisation Director Dr Will Shannon was delighted with the recognition. "This award honours schools that go above and beyond to support international students and prepare them for the global workforce. A commitment to this sits at the centre of our internationalisation strategy and receiving this international recognition is a powerful endorsement of the work our faculty is leading.”
The awards, hosted by UK-based global platform The PIE (Professionals in International Education), were held at London’s historic Guildhall. Two UK-based Business School alumni, Alex Holmes and Edze Bierema, accepted the award on the University’s behalf.
QS ranked UC second in New Zealand for employability outcomes this year, with 89% of graduates employed or in further study within a year of graduating.
This recognition further strengthens UC’s reputation as a desirable destination for global learners. Based in Ōtautahi Christchurch — recently ranked among the world’s top 100 student cities for the second consecutive year — UC offers students both academic excellence and an outstanding place to live and study.
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