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Media Release

October 23 2007

UniSA’s hallmark of business education excellence

In the competitive world of business education it can be difficult for students to assess real quality from the claims. But one important sign of quality is whether or not the business school holds a prestigious international accreditation –because the education provider has to earn accreditation.

This week UniSA’s Division of Business was reaccredited by the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) for a further three years. EQUIS is the most exclusive international accreditation system for business schools, and its membership includes many of the leading European and UK schools, including the London Business School, INSEAD, the Judge School at Cambridge University, and HEC Paris.

In 2004, UniSA became only the second Australian business school to receive EQUIS accreditation.

Today, of the 38 universities in Australia, there are still only eight with EQUIS-accredited business schools. UniSA’s Division of Business is the only EQUIS-accredited school in South Australia and worldwide there are just over 100 schools with EQUIS accreditation.

UniSA Pro Vice Chancellor, Division of Business, Professor Gerry Griffin says EQUIS accreditation is only granted after a rigorous review by a panel of international academics and business people and further consideration by the EQUIS Awarding Body in Brussels.

“EQUIS stresses internationalisation and connections with the corporate world, and accredited schools must demonstrate quality in all of their operations,” Prof Griffin says.

“We have to demonstrate continual improvement from year to year to maintain that accreditation.

“We already focus on improving everything we do, but it is essential to have an outside assessment of our progress.

“When that assessment is positive, it is very rewarding,” he says.

Professor Griffin says he is particularly pleased that the Division has been able to demonstrate real engagement with students, the development of their skills for life and the workplace, and the Division’s attention to the quality of its academic programs.

“We’ve also been very pleased with the rapid development of our research capabilities, something that is not always strong in business schools,” he says.

“The accreditation process is very complex and time-consuming and our success in retaining the EQUIS seal of approval is in no small part due to the efforts of our academic and professional staff and many other colleagues across the University. This acknowledges their significant contribution to the EQUIS process, and the excellence of their work in teaching, research and administration.”

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