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Oulu Business School to earn highly valued AACSB Accreditation

Julkaistu 06.11.2013

Oulu Business School joins the ranks of the highest-regarded business schools of the world as one of the first Nordic business schools to earn AACSB International business accreditation.

AACSB Accreditation is one of the most significant achievements in the history of Oulu Business School. Only some 5 % of the world's business schools have fulfilled the AACSB quality standards, and Oulu Business School at the University of Oulu is now one of only four AACSB accredited business schools in the Nordic countries.

AACSB Accreditation will multiply the opportunities available for Oulu Business School in international education markets and research. Having an AACSB accredited business school raises the profile of the whole University of Oulu and the Oulu region as an international centre of business expertise.

University of Oulu Rector Lauri Lajunen is pleased with the news: "The achievement of AACSB Accreditation for Oulu Business School is an important step in the internationalisation of the university. The accreditation will promote the recruitment of international students, researchers and teachers alike, as well as pave the way for the establishment of joint research and study programmes with high level international universities. AACSB is especially important in the field of business, but the whole university will benefit from it."

The accreditation awarded by AACSB International (The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) is the most significant hallmark of excellence in business education and research. In addition to Oulu Business School, in the Nordic countries only Aalto University School of Business, Copenhagen Business School and Aarhus University School of Business and Social Sciences have achieved AACSB Accreditation.

"AACSB Accreditation is an outstanding achievement for us, and one of the most important landmarks of the business school. We are proud to have become one of the four AACSB accredited business schools in the Nordic countries. We have claimed a strong position among international business educators," says Oulu Business School Dean Petri Sahlström.

AACSB Accreditation evaluates business schools according to 21 standards that focus on different aspects: strategic management, the quality of the school's faculty, students and processes, and the level of education programmes and student learning.

Eligible business schools usually need 3-7 years to achieve accreditation. Oulu Business School completed the official accreditation process quickly, in less than three years.

"Achieving AACSB Accreditation has required years of work and determination from our business school. Our whole staff and faculty, students, University of Oulu management, and all our key stakeholders have been strongly involved and supported our accreditation process - now we can enjoy the fruits of that work. I would like to extend my warmest gratitude to all those involved," says Sauli Sohlo, Deputy Director of Martti Ahtisaari Institute.

More information:
Petri Sahlström, Dean
Oulu Business School, University of Oulu
Tel: +358 294 482 585
Email: petri.sahlstrom (at)oulu.fi

Sauli Sohlo, Deputy Director
Martti Ahtisaari Institute
Tel. +358 40 515 5745
Email: sauli.sohlo (at)oulu.fi