Karlstad Business School to be reviewed for international accreditation
2020-12-07Karlstad Business School has been a member of AACSB since 2010, which is about a systematic approach to development and change, learning as well as collaboration and external engagement. Now the review for accreditation is approaching.
Offering high-quality education, research and collaboration has always been the aim of Karlstad Business School. A step in the quality assurance procedures has been a membership in AACSB (the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), which offers:
• Internationally acknowledged accreditation
• Conferences
• Seminars
• Courses
• Publications
• Access to comprehensive global data and reports
• Networking
• Research on challenges and trends for business schools
Work within the framework of AACSB is governed by Karlstad Business School’s mission: We educate responsible professionals and conduct research with high societal impact.
What does it mean that Karlstad Business School finally has a date for review by AACSB?
- It means that it is time for graduation after many years of hard work, says Martin Grimberg Löfgren, Head of Karlstad Business School. 25-28 January, it’s make it or break it.
- It is a review of our management system for conducting cross-department quality enhancement and organisational development, and an assurance that our business school meets international quality requirements, says Deputy Head of School, Marie-Therese Christiansson.
What does the review entail, practically speaking?
- It will take place digitally. An international team consisting of two deans and a deputy vice-chancellor will review our self-evaluation report, followed by questions for us at Karlstad Business School, management of Karlstad University, management of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, employees, students, alumni and other stakeholders.
What would an accreditation mean for Karlstad Business School?
- So far, we have become more professional – which has also been pointed out by external parties, says Martin Grimberg Löfgren. It is really nice to hear. Focus is not just on what we are going to do but how we are going to do it. This has led to much improved internal processes and a greater awareness of our activities from an overall perspective.
In what way would Karlstad Business School’s brand and competitiveness benefit from an accreditation?
- In fact, it is Karlstad University that receives the accreditation, so it is of great benefit to the university as a whole, says Martin Grimberg Löfgren. An accreditation means that it will be easier for us to create formal collaborations with other accredited business schools and universities and may affect how well we do in different rankings, etc. I would say that this type of quality mark offers a shortcut that will strengthen the brand of both Karlstad Business School and Karlstad University.
What efforts have been made during the autumn?
- A great deal has been done, says Martin Grimberg Löfgren. A monster report of 100 pages with thousands of pages in appendices.
- And the report is based on several years of excellent work conducted at Karlstad Business School, says Marie-Therese Christiansson. We have received great contributions from employees, students, alumni and partners. We have described who we are, what we do and what we have achieved – we are proud of our business school.
When will we know the result of the review?
- We hope, of course, to be able to report good news about the accreditation in the early spring of 2021, says Martin Grimberg Löfgren.