Pictures by Professor Dr. Nurwati Ashikkin Ahmad Zaluki/UUM Today
BANGKOK: Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB), Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), an esteemed institution recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, is currently working towards obtaining the coveted EQUIS accreditation. This pursuit comes on the heels of OYAGSB’s recent attainment of ‘Double Crown’ accreditation from the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the Association of MBAs (AMBA).
EQUIS, the EFMD Quality Improvement System, is a stringent benchmarking tool that rigorously evaluates and accredits business schools across ten critical domains. These areas encompass various aspects such as governance, programme quality, student engagement, faculty excellence, research prominence, internationalisation, ethics, social responsibility, sustainability, and corporate citizenship.
Securing the ‘Triple Crown’ accreditation is not only a noteworthy accomplishment but also serves as a testament to OYAGSB’s unwavering commitment to cultivating future business leaders and fostering positive societal change.
At its core, OYAGSB aspires to be recognised as a member of the esteemed group of 210 EQUIS-accredited institutions across 45 countries worldwide. In line with this aspiration, OYAGSB actively participated in the EFMD Global Asia Annual Conference 2023, which was held at the prestigious Millennium Hilton Hotel in Bangkok.
The OYAGSB delegation to this prestigious event was led by the Deputy Dean of Academic and International Affairs, Prof. Dr Nurwati Ashikkin Ahmad Zaluki, and the Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation, and Corporate Relations, Prof. Ts Dr. Norazah Mohd Suki.
EQUIS prioritises the cultivation of an impactful learning environment that not only nurtures students’ management and entrepreneurial skills but also their personal growth and commitment to global responsibility.
The three-day conference provided an invaluable opportunity for participants to gain insights into the mission of EFMD Global and the wide-ranging scope of quality assurance in education. The event also offered a comprehensive overview of the accreditation process and standards.
The conference was skillfully chaired by Prof. Alfons Sauquet, Director of EQUIS and Quality Services, and Prof. Barbara Sporn, Director of EFMD Programme Accreditation. The leadership demonstrated in effectively managing and sustaining a global business school within the context of an ever-evolving geopolitical landscape offered a profound learning experience for all attendees.
The discussions also delved into contemporary issues, exploring the potential of generative technologies coupled with artificial intelligence. Additionally, there was an examination of whether the current academic portfolio sufficiently caters to the future requirements of the corporate world.
As OYAGSB undertakes these bold strides towards achieving EQUIS accreditation, it reaffirms its dedication to upholding excellence and fulfilling its mission of nurturing visionary leaders for the business world and society at large. – Professor Ts Dr. Norazah Mohd Suki
