The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, an international accreditation agency for the most respected business schools in the world, has announced in early April 38 business schools from various countries that have successfully maintained the highest recognition for the quality assurance process by extending the validity period of the accreditation. One of them is the business school Faculty of Economics and Business, Gadjah Mada University (FEB UGM).
Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Eko Suwardi, M.Sc., Ph.D., said this achievement was the result of cooperation among stakeholders, students, lecturers, staff, Senate, University leadership, alumni, industrial partners, and government.
“The AACSB re-accreditation is evidence that learning process at Faculty of Economics and Business UGM has been sustainably improved based on the standard set out by the AACSB. Basically, the learning process here focuses on engagement, innovation, and impact,” said Eko on Thursday (2/5).
Eko Suwardi added, the form of engagement was shown through the curriculum to prepare the students amidst swift business environment changes by engaging the industry and related government agencies and also by producing research as well as delivering real business case to class.
“Thus the curriculum is always updated and applies a variety of innovative learning methods. As a result, all learning and research activities are directed to give impacts not only for the development of economics and business but also regulations, business models, and so on for the improvement of society,” he explained.
This achievement has been appreciated by Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Learning, Prof. H. Mohamad Nasir, Ph.D., Ak, which is in line with the theme of the National Education Day 2019, namely strengthening education, advancing culture by creating competitive, innovative human resources with character.
Prof. Nasir said the AACSB re-accreditation was not the end goal, but an instrument to achieve better, which is having competent, innovative graduates, research and impactful community service.
Rector of UGM, Prof. Ir. Panut Mulyono, M.Eng., D.Eng., expected Faculty of Economics and Business to strengthen their role in generating leaders that have strong integrity and science to serve the community. “The contribution of Faculty of Economics and Business UGM in developing science for the nation’s welfare through research shall be continously improved,” said Prof. Panut Mulyono.
Panut said the National Education Day was the momentum for all members of UGM and higher education in Indonesia to keep improving all aspects of learning and research to achieve welfare.
Regarding the AACSB accreditation, it is not easy to meet this recognition. Currently, only 5% of business schools in the world have been accredited by the AACSB or 836 institutions in 55 countries. This accreditation is the highest recognition of learning quality and research that has positive impact on the wider community.
All undergraduate, graduate and doctoral study programs under Accounting and Management Departments UGM have been accredited by the AACSB since 2014. The AACSB standard of quality assurance is also adopted for all study programs in Economics Department of the Faculty which ensures that all learning processes have international standards in terms of curriculum, quality assurance, lecturers, students, professional staff, as well as physical facilities.
