IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs recognized with two Merit Awards for innovative pedagogy
The award-winning project "The Good Goal" enabled students to track their daily sustainable actions and measure the CO₂ emissions they help avoid.
IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs has been honored with two Merit Awards 2026 at a ceremony held in Riyadh for its innovative project "The Good Goal". The initiative received recognition in the categories of Technology in Learning and Audience Choice, highlighting both its educational impact and innovative pedagogy.
"The Good Goal" is a 21-day challenge completed by first-year students of the Bachelor in International Relations. The project integrates the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the classroom by encouraging students to explore practical ways to reduce CO₂ emissions. Using a dedicated app, participants tracked daily sustainable habits and measured the amount of CO₂ emissions avoided through their actions.
Borja Santos, Associate Vice Dean of IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs, emphasized the significance of this recognition: "These two awards reflect our School’s commitment to innovative pedagogy across all our programs. In this case, we combined gamification, game-based learning, and technology to enrich the student learning experience and to empower students as responsible agents of their own education."
IE School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs has now received a total of nine international awards in recognition of its innovative teaching and experiential learning initiatives:
- QS Reimagine Education Award 2023 for "Refugee Camp simulation".
- APSIA’s Intersection Award 2023 for "Refugee Camp simulation".
- MERIT Awards 2024. The Audience Choice Award for "Refugee Camp simulation".
- MERIT Awards 2024. The Social and Environmental Special Recognition for "Refugee Camp simulation".
- QS Reimagine Education Award 2024 for "The Good Goal".
- Learning Technologies Award 2024 for "Facing New Challenges in Space & Cyber Affairs: SpaceGov".
- Merit Awards 2025. The Special Recognition – Experiential Learning with Sustainability Impact for "Ocean Conservation Partnership".
- Merit Awards 2026. The Audience Choice Award for "The Good Goal".
- Merit Awards 2026. The Technology in Learning Award for "The Good Goal".