Oxford International Education Group Achieves ESG Excellence

We’re proud to share that we have improved our overall score in the 2023 annual Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) review. Our rating has risen from 4 to 4.3 out of 5. This improvement underscores our ongoing commitment to environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and strong governance practices and to creating a positive impact on society and the planet.

Continuous customer experience improvement

One of the reasons for our ESG score improvement is our consistent effort to gain customer feedback and act on it. We now measure Net Promoter Score (NPS) as well as other metrics of advocacy and satisfaction, across many programmes, divisions and stakeholders and we have a continuous improvement plan approach, prioritising and implementing change.

As we progress, we remain dedicated to addressing evolving student, agent and partner needs, improving communication channels, and providing comprehensive support to ensure a seamless transition for students studying abroad.

Social Well-being and Inclusivity

We are committed to prioritising employee well-being and inclusivity. We ensure a supportive work environment by fostering open dialogue, encouraging feedback, and promptly addressing concerns.

Our commitment extends to promoting a flexible working culture and providing frameworks for exploring remote work options. Additionally, we emphasise self-care through initiatives like certified Mental Health First Aiders and social events like yoga sessions.

Initiatives such as our employee recognition scheme aim to recognise and celebrate excellence and tangible manifestation of our core values, while initiatives like the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Special Interest Group and informal FIKA Meetups reinforce our dedication to creating an inclusive workplace.

Employee Engagement and Involvement

We are committed to open and transparent communication and engage with our people through surveys, and working groups to co-create and develop new initiatives that ensure that we are a great place to work. The recently launched innovative hub provides a mechanism for new ideas to be proposed and led by team members, as well as special interest groups on both AI and Sustainability.

Social Responsibility

We are dedicated to positively impacting society through our social responsibility initiatives, including our free English Lessons for Refugees programme, which aims to empower vulnerable individuals as they start anew in a foreign country.

Since its launch in April 2022, the programme has had a significant influx of interest providing English language instruction to a student body of over 1,800 (to February 2024). The programme’s primary objective is to facilitate social interaction, promote a sense of belonging, and foster understanding by breaking down language barriers that impede communication and integration, enabling students through tailored language instruction.

As part of our ongoing commitment to global education, we continue to support the International Higher Education Commissio n, chaired by Chris Skidmore former MP and Education Minister, in developing the new ‘International Education Strategy 2.0’.

Environmental Responsibility

We actively participate in initiatives such as the Cycle to Work scheme to reduce our carbon footprint and promote resource efficiency. By encouraging active transportation and reducing reliance on fossil fuel-based vehicles, we contribute to a greener and healthier environment.

*Bangor University International College*

Through initiatives in Oxford International Colleges in Bangor and Dundee, we foster a culture of environmental responsibility within our academic institutions, promoting sustainability through teaching and action. In Dundee, students engaged in a lecture and workshop on global responses to the climate crisis, while in Bangor, students explored sustainable urban living through peer feedback sessions.

These initiatives reflect our commitment to promoting sustainability through teaching and fostering a culture of environmental responsibility within our educational institutions.

While we’re proud of our environmental and social sustainability progress, we recognise that there’s still room for improvement. By proactively collaborating with experts and stakeholders, we can enhance our ESG initiatives and make a lasting impact.

As we aim to do more, we encourage our employees, partners, and stakeholders to join us on this journey to a more sustainable future. Collaboratively, we can positively impact and create a better future for all.

We’re committed to addressing areas for improvement identified in the report, including expanding GHG emissions calculation, broadening the scope of our energy management system, advancing supply chain responsibility, and enhancing our occupational health and safety management system. By focusing on these areas, we aim to strengthen our environmental and social impact further and contribute to a more sustainable world.