Challenges and benefits of Accreditation

for Business Colleges in the Middle East

Sundaram NatarajaAbdullah M. AlharbiWaleed Idris

Vice Deanship of Quality & DevelopmentCollege of Business Administration - King Saud University

Study Objective

The objective of this study is:

To examine the challenges and benefits of

academic accreditation for business colleges in

the Middle East

Background

Business schools are under pressure to seek accreditation for two reasons:

1. Increasing competition from global and virtual universities (Stevens, 2000; Gore, Steven, & Bailey, 1998).

2. changing environment in the higher education sector

Literature Review

Accreditation is a quality assurance scheme

which certifies that accredited schools have the structures and processes in place necessary to meet their stated objectives and continually improve performance (Zammuto, 2008).

Accreditation ensures that the quality, ethics, and code of practice of academic programs are in line with nationally and internationally set benchmarks (Stevens, 2000; Szanto, 2005).

Literature Review

Accreditation or external evaluation remains a powerful tool of quality assurance

it can be used to enhance the progress of international mutual recognition both of the educational base and professional experience

it facilitates national quality assurance system (Dodridge, 2002; Szanto, 2005).

Accreditation-Bodies for Business Education

A variety of accreditation agencies exist for business education.

Some accrediting agencies are general in scope and some are specialized.

AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)

International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).

Accreditation-Bodies for Business EducationEuropean Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) is a

specialized accreditation agency

AMBA - The Association of MBAs (AMBA) is an international organisation that accredits postgraduate business programs at business schools worldwide

Triple Accreditation is the accreditation awarded to business schools worldwide by the three largest and most influential business school accreditation associations:

AACSB, AMBA, & EQUIS

National level Accreditation-Bodies

Most of the Arab States have their own national level quality assurance systems in-built under their political administrative system.

There are at least 14 accreditation agencies listed

Source: Source: Source: http://www.mohe.ps/quality/viewer/page/504/%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B7-%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A9

Challenges of Accreditation

(1) Implementing Strategic Plan

(2) Establishing an Institutional Effectiveness System

(3) Updating Educational Policies and Procedures

(4) Involving Stakeholders in the Academic Processes

(5) Reviewing Academic Programs and Courses periodically

(6) Improving Programs and Facilities continuously

(7) Engaging students in the Academic Activities

(8) Meeting the Standards of Accreditation-bodies.

Example: A Challenge

• Institutional Effectiveness System

• Source: Institutional Effectiveness Model adapted from ECSU, N.C., USA 2013).

Benefits of Accreditation

(1) Student Learning is assured

(2) Academic Programs & Facilities are improved

(3) Educational Quality is guaranteed

(4) Employability of Graduates are enhanced

(5) Institutional Image, identity, and reputation are enhanced

(continued in next slide)

Benefits of Accreditation (Contd..)

(6) Recognition from Professional and Governmental bodies are received

(7) Global Mobility of Graduates and Faculty Members are improved

(8) Opportunities for Global Partnerships are increased

(9) Marketability of Programs internationally is enhanced

(10) Accountability to the General Public and Communities is met

Example: A Benefit

• Assurance of Student Learning

• Source: KSU-CBA Vice-Deanship of Quality & Development, 2012

Conclusion

•Sure, accreditation is a quite demanding process

•However, the business schools in the Middle East region are encouraged to involve in the accreditation initiatives.

• It will help compete in the global higher education arena

• It will help to cope with the changing environment in higher education