AUB’s Olayan School of Business Earns AACSB International Business Accreditation

OSB will move into a new building (left) on lower campus after construction

On behalf of the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business (OSB), the American University of Beirut is proud to announce that the business school has achieved accreditation of its business degree programs from AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the leading international accrediting agency for undergraduate, master’s and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting. The Olayan School of Business joins an elite group of institutions that have achieved business accreditation from AACSB International. Less than 5% of business schools worldwide have earned this distinguished hallmark of excellence in management education. The Olayan School of Business is the first institution in Lebanon to be accredited by the Association.

“AACSB accreditation is the first step in a global branding campaign that will enable long term alliances with top business schools worldwide, further developing our capacity in pedagogy, research and student diversity,” said OSB Dean George Najjar. “The three-year process of accreditation is designed to embed systems that ensure continuous improvement in the delivery of a high-quality business education.” AUB’s achievement will be recognized in April at the 2009 AACSB International Conference and Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

AACSB business accreditation is the international standard for business program quality assurance, requiring academic institutions to pass rigorous quality audits and adhere to best-in-class academic practices. The accreditation process adds to OSB’s pursuit of organizational best-practices by codifying the school’s strengths as well as formalizing strategic planning, governance structure and decision-making processes for greater transparency, efficiency and accountability in the school’s on-going operations. To maintain accreditation, OSB must submit annual progress reports to AACSB and continuously revise its strategic plan. A reaccreditation process is repeated every five years to maintain status with Association.