Warwick Business School, University of Warwick wins prestigious Best Digital Transformation award in the AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards 2025

The AMBA & BGA Excellence Awards 2025 were held on January 24, 2025 at the exceptional Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington. The Awards brought together leading lights from the global business education community to celebrate excellence and commend achievement among business schools, MBA students and graduates, suppliers and employers.

The ceremony was attended by more than 200 business school leaders, as well as category finalists, judges and members of the media.

The Best Digital Transformation award is a great way to showcase your school’s journey to implementing new and world-class technology.

New for 2025, this award recognises schools that have pushed past the expected digital proficiency expected of a business school and developed or implemented a seamless digital experience.

This award has been developed to showcase digital change in any aspect of a business school’s day-to-day operations – for example, this could be in implementing new learning management systems, adopting new devices in the school, or digitising administrative processes. Initiatives might also be school-wide or instead relate to the implementation of a technology in one specific module or area.

Warwick Business School’s pioneering SmartStage® technology has transformed the way that online MBA and Masters-level courses can be delivered.  

The school’s innovative use of an immersive, interactive environment allows for dynamic content delivery - leaving more time for deeper learning, more questions and better discussions.  

A dedicated team manages the technical aspects, meaning that presenters can focus on enriching the learning experience in real-time. With this focus on interaction, they believe they have significantly improved both student and faculty experiences, as well as set a new standard of what’s possible in online education.

Jacky Swan, Professor of Organisational Behaviour and Pro Dean (Teaching & Learning), said: “SmartStage® has allowed us to push the boundaries of what is possible in online education. Our students benefit from an engaging and interactive learning environment, which has significantly enhanced their overall experience.

“This award would not have been possible without the tremendous wraparound support of the SmartStage® team and the training they provide for faculty.

“Winning this award is a tremendous achievement, especially as it embodies our Change Maker values of curiosity, restlessness and the pursuit of excellence. As a School we aim to pave the way for others to follow and this award is testament to our commitment to give our students the very best.”

Andrew Main Wilson, Chief Executive of the Association of MBAs and Business Graduates Association (AMBA & BGA) said: “On behalf of the AMBA and BGA team, I would like to congratulate the finalists and winners of this year’s Excellence Awards. 

“This year, the competition was stronger than ever – with the highest number of entries ever. The entries who have made the final shortlist in each category should feel proud of their achievements.

“Additionally, the students and graduates who have been shortlisted as finalists today have all used their qualifications to achieve a spectrum of impressive results, in terms of the positive impact they have made to business, education and society as a whole.

“It was thrilling to be able to celebrate the AMBA & BGA network’s achievements at our Gala Dinner - in particular it’s been amazing to celebrate exceptional innovations and successes in the higher management education industry. 

“I also want to take the opportunity to thank our partners, BlueSky Education, GMAC, Accredinator - Business School Accreditation Software, QED and Cesim Business Simulations. Their support for our awards – and the business education sector – is greatly appreciated.”

ENDS

For more information or interviews, please contact:

• Ellen Buchan, Insight, Content & PR Manager, AMBA & BGA –  e.buchan@associationofmbas.com