Alberta School of Business maintains gold standard
January 19, 2011
First and longest continually accredited Business School in Canada
The Alberta School of Business has once again maintained accreditation status from the AACSB International – the premier global accreditation body for business schools. First accredited in 1968, the Alberta School of Business was the first business school in Canada to receive AACSB accreditation.
“The long-standing accreditation speaks to ongoing excellence and engagement – the very culture of our business school. Excellence in teaching, research, and citizenship and the engagement of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and donors in the classrooms, and in their communities have all contributed to this success” said Dean Mike Percy.
AACSB accreditation is the hallmark of excellence in business education and has been earned by less than five percent of the world’s business schools. Today there are 607 business schools in 38 countries that are members of the AACSB including 36 Canadian schools. Of the 36 Canadian business schools 18 are now accredited with the University of Victoria receiving their initial accreditation this year.
Achieving accreditation is a process of rigorous internal review, evaluation, and adjustment and can take several years to complete. During these years, the school develops and implements a plan to meet the 21 AACSB standards requiring a high quality teaching environment, a commitment to continuous improvement, and curricula responsive to the needs of business. Schools then need to apply to maintain their accreditation every five years.
The Alberta School of Business hosted a three-member peer review team in November with the official announcement received on January 17 in which the School was commended on the following strengths and effective practices:
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Student satisfaction levels are exemplary due to high quality teaching and extensive opportunities for engagement with faculty and the business community.
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The depth of resources available to support faculty research and students is very extensive. The external community was aware and laudatory about the research emphasis.
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Centers of applied research are vibrant providing a primary bridge to the community and a path to fulfilling the policy element of the mission.
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The School has achieved a high level of connectedness to alumni and the broader business community. The Business Advisory Council is active, supportive and engaged, and alumni are proud and involved.
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Congratulations. The School is remarkably successful. Having developed world-class business research and education is important for Alberta and Canada”.
Founded in 1916, AACSB International – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business - is the longest serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer undergraduate, masters, and doctoral degrees in business and accounting. AACSB’s global headquarters is located in Tampa, Florida and its Asia headquarters is located in Singapore.
For further information, contact:
Monica Wegner
Communications Strategist
University of Alberta
Alberta School of Business
780.492.7996
monica.wegner@ualberta.ca