The University of Glasgow Business School has gained specialised international accreditation for its business school from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International) to join the ranks of the world's best business schools.

Sir Muir Russell, Principal of the University, announced the news before an invited audience of business leaders at a Business Breakfast Forum* in the Randolph Hall on Friday 26 January.

The University of Glasgow Business School joins an elite group made up of fewer than 10 percent of the world's business schools that have achieved the coveted designation.

Principal Sir Muir Russell said: "It is testament to the very high quality of the research and teaching at the University of Glasgow's Business School that the institution has achieved this distinction. The accreditation process is rigorous and meticulous and standards required are exacting, so I am delighted that the University of Glasgow Business School has demonstrated it meets the criteria to take its place among the world's elite business schools. I congratulate the Business School's academic and administrative staff for their outstanding achievement."

AACSB International, founded in 1916, is the premier global accrediting body for business schools offering undergraduate, master's, and doctoral degrees.

John J. Fernandes, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International said: "Congratulations to the University of Glasgow Business School for earning the highest achievement in business school accreditation. The Business School, Professor Angus Laing, and the staff of the university are to be commended for their hard work in helping their institution earn initial accreditation."

Professor Angus Laing, Head of the University of Glasgow Business School said: "Accreditation is a rigorous and demanding process. Earning it shows we provide education of the highest quality and are committed to continuous improvement. I would like to pay tribute to colleagues in the Business School whose hard work and professionalism has been recognised by this resounding endorsement."

To earn AACSB accreditation, a business school must undergo meticulous internal review, evaluation, and adjustment - a process that can take from three to seven years. During this period, schools develop and implement a plan intended to meet the 21 AACSB standards that require highly qualified faculty, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement and keeping curricula responsive to the needs of business.

"It takes a great deal of determination and dedication to earn AACSB accreditation," said Jerry Trapnell, chief accreditation officer of AACSB International. "Schools not only must meet specific standards of excellence, but their deans, faculties and staffs make a commitment to ongoing improvement that ensures that they will deliver a high quality education to students."

Only one other business school in Scotland, Strathclyde University Business School, holds AACSB International accreditation. A total of 540 business schools in 30 countries globally have business schools that are accredited by AACSB.

Martin Shannon (m.shannon@admin.gla.ac.uk)

AACSB International

AACSB International was founded in 1916 by a consortium of 16 business schools, including Tuck Business School at Dartmouth College, Harvard University (Harvard Business School), the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton School) and Northwestern University.

AACSB International is the premier accrediting agency for bachelor?s degree, master?s degree, and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting. The association also is the business education community?s professional development organization, conducting a wide array of conference and seminar programs at various locations around the world.

First published: 26 January 2007