1. Challenges and benefits of Accreditation for Business Colleges in the Middle East Sundaram Nataraja Abdullah M. Alharbi Waleed Idris Vice Deanship of Quality & Development College of Business Administration - King Saud University

2. Study Objective The objective of this study is:  To examine the challenges and benefits of academic accreditation for business colleges in the Middle East

3. Background  Business schools are under pressure to seek accreditation for two reasons:  1. Increasing competition from global and virtual universities (Stevens, 2000; Gore, Steven, & Bailey, 1998).  2. changing environment in the higher education sector

4. Literature Review  Accreditation is a quality assurance scheme  which certifies that accredited schools have the structures and processes in place necessary to meet their stated objectives and continually improve performance (Zammuto, 2008).  Accreditation ensures that the quality, ethics, and code of practice of academic programs are in line with nationally and internationally set benchmarks (Stevens, 2000; Szanto, 2005).

5. Literature Review  Accreditation or external evaluation remains a powerful tool of quality assurance  it can be used to enhance the progress of international mutual recognition both of the educational base and professional experience  it facilitates national quality assurance system (Dodridge, 2002; Szanto, 2005).

6. Accreditation-Bodies for Business Education  A variety of accreditation agencies exist for business education.  Some accrediting agencies are general in scope and some are specialized.  AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)  Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)  International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE).

7. Accreditation-Bodies for Business Education  European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) is a specialized accreditation agency  AMBA - The Association of MBAs (AMBA) is an international organisation that accredits postgraduate business programs at business schools worldwide  Triple Accreditation is the accreditation awarded to business schools worldwide by the three largest and most influential business school accreditation associations:  AACSB, AMBA, & EQUIS

8. National level Accreditation-Bodies  Most of the Arab States have their own national level quality assurance systems in-built under their political administrative system.  There are at least 14 accreditation agencies listed  Source: Source: Source: http://www.mohe.ps/quality/viewer/page/504/%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B7-%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%AA- %D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A9http://www.mohe.ps/quality/viewer/page/504/%D8%B1%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%A8%D8%B7-%D8%B0%D8%A7%D8%AA- %D8%B5%D9%84%D8%A9

9. Challenges of Accreditation  (1) Implementing Strategic Plan  (2) Establishing an Institutional Effectiveness System  (3) Updating Educational Policies and Procedures  (4) Involving Stakeholders in the Academic Processes  (5) Reviewing Academic Programs and Courses periodically  (6) Improving Programs and Facilities continuously  (7) Engaging students in the Academic Activities  (8) Meeting the Standards of Accreditation-bodies.

10. Example: A Challenge Institutional Effectiveness System Source: Institutional Effectiveness Model adapted from ECSU, N.C., USA 2013).

11. Benefits of Accreditation  (1) Student Learning is assured  (2) Academic Programs & Facilities are improved  (3) Educational Quality is guaranteed  (4) Employability of Graduates are enhanced  (5) Institutional Image, identity, and reputation are enhanced (continued in next slide)

12. Benefits of Accreditation (Contd..)  (6) Recognition from Professional and Governmental bodies are received  (7) Global Mobility of Graduates and Faculty Members are improved  (8) Opportunities for Global Partnerships are increased  (9) Marketability of Programs internationally is enhanced  (10) Accountability to the General Public and Communities is met

13. Example: A Benefit Assurance of Student Learning Source: KSU-CBA Vice-Deanship of Quality & Development, 2012

14. Conclusion Sure, accreditation is a quite demanding process However, the business schools in the Middle East region are encouraged to involve in the accreditation initiatives. It will help compete in the global higher education arena It will help to cope with the changing environment in higher education