Media Release
April 5, 2004
UniSA wins international approval for business education
Students undertaking University of South Australia business programs both in Australia and internationally can be satisfied that their quality is among the best in the world.
The University’s Division of Business and Enterprise has just won accreditation from the European Foundation for Management Development (efmd) under its European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS). Accreditation is only granted after a thorough assessment by a panel of international academics and business people.
EQUlS is the leading international system of quality assessment, improvement, and accreditation of higher education institutions in management and business administration. Its fundamental objective is to raise the standard of management education worldwide by facilitating standard setting, benchmarking, mutual learning, and the dissemination of good practice across borders.
UniSA Vice Chancellor Professor Denise Bradley says the accreditation acknowledges the long term efforts of the Division of Business and Enterprise to provide education that is relevant to business and management students.
“UniSA has strong and expanding links in teaching, research, consultancy and continuing education with partners in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America so this accreditation is significant in that context,” Professor Bradley said.
“It is rewarding to see that what we value in our university – diversity, internationalisation, and strong relationships with the corporate world – are the same things that efmd, through its EQUIS accreditation process, found outstanding in its assessment.”
Only two Australian universities have achieved EQUIS accreditation. UniSA joins its ATN (Australian Technology Network) partner, Curtin, in leading the sector’s recognition internationally. UniSA is the first Australian University to also gain accreditation for its offshore business programs. Professor Gerry Griffin, Pro Vice Chancellor of the Division of Business and Enterprise, said that his staff had worked closely with Curtin’s business school to ensure that the Division’s application was of the highest possible standard.
Professor Griffin said that EQUIS accreditation would be an important assurance for all students in the Division.
“Students can point to this standard as something that sets them apart from other graduates,” he said.
“UniSA has long been involved in developing an approach to education that really prepares its graduates for the working world – that prepares them to be great communicators, independent thinkers and people who have a global perspective and understand the needs of modern businesses. This international accreditation is another independent indicator that we are successful in preparing high quality business professionals.”
More information about EQUIS and efmd is available online at http://www.efmd.be
Media contact
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Michèle Nardelli office (08) 8302 0966 mobile 0418 823 673 email michele.nardelli@unisa.edu.au
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Professor Gerry Griffin office (08) 83020666 email gerry.griffin@unisa.edu.au