For the second consecutive time, York University’s Schulich School of Business has received the five-year EQUIS accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). The accreditation, also known as the European Quality Improvement System, is considered one of the premier designations for internationally oriented business schools.
The last time the Schulich School was EQUIS accreditated was in 2012. According to the Accreditation Board, significant progress was made by the School to improve since that time. In particular, Schulich impressed the board with its focus on “Development Objectives.”
Other areas that influenced the Board’s decision, according to the accreditation letter, included the school’s “strong leadership, significant degree of autonomy, long-standing global understanding and international outreach, entrepreneurial and innovative character and excellent corporate connections and alumni network.”
To be accredited by EQUIS, Schulich had to demonstrate a high-quality level throughout all of their activities as well as a high degree of internationalization, close connections to the business community and responsible management. Based on Schulich’s results, the School was awarded the highest level of accreditation (the five-year accreditation), which meant it met all of the EQUIS quality standards. Only 170 business schools in 42 countries have received the EQUIS accreditation, and of those, only 97 received the highest honor of five years.
Dezsö J. Horvath, Dean of the Schulich Business School, had this to say about the EQUIS accreditation in a recent news release:
“We have been working diligently for many years to enhance our strategic positioning, to continuously improve quality in all areas of our business school, and to expand our global footprint in order to establish Schulich as a leading center of management education globally. The EQUIS 5-year re-accreditation once again provides additional third-party confirmation that our School’s academic programs and research output are world-class.”