NIBS International Accreditation was launched in 2008. Today, more than 25 schools have been accredited by NIBS – a number that continues to grow. We invite you to search our membership list to see an up-to-date list of accredited schools.
NIBS Accreditation is not intended as a competitor to other bodies such as AACSB or EQUIS; rather, it focuses on the degree to which a business school has become international in all facets of its organization. The NIBS Accreditation scheme can be used as a supplement to other accreditations, as well as an award in its own right, especially for institutions committed to “deep” internationalization.
Any NIBS member school may apply for accreditation, which consists of a three-step process: completion of a self-assessment questionnaire on internationalization; a visit by an accreditation team; and a decision by the NIBS Board of Directors.
NIBS Accreditation is specifically designed to avoid the costly and time-consuming procedures that characterize many accreditation/validation processes.
The self-assessment questionnaire covers ten dimensions of internationalization from governance through to the student body. The maximum score on the questionnaire is 100; accreditation is awarded to schools that are assessed to have a score of more than 50 points, based on an institutional visit by a NIBS accreditation team. Accredited schools are presented with their certificate during the main evening event at the NIBS Annual Conference.
Accredited schools have found the experience to be very useful in its own right – not simply for the award, but also in identifying good practice in internationalization and areas for consideration, with valuable spin-off effects such as assisting the case for increased institutional funding or support in specific areas.
NIBS accreditation makes a firm statement of an institution’s international vision to students, faculty and partner schools throughout the world.
Interested institutions are invited to contact Patrick Schoenmakers, NIBS Vice President (Accreditation) for further details.