On August 1, the Initial Accreditation Committee (IAC) of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) informed LUSM, that the Board of Directors ratified the decision to accredit LUSM with a period of five years, which indicating LUSM one of the top 6% world’s best business schools.

Official press release from AACSB

From April 16 to 19, the Preer Review Team (PRT, hereafter “the Team”) assigned by AACSB headquarters paid an onsite visit and conducted a four-day assessment for the Shcool’s educational programs and its whole quality. Leaders and related departments within the university have shown great concern and involvement during the visit. On April 17, Yan Chunhua, president of LZU met with the Team on behalf of the university, he introduced LZU’s achievements in the “double first class” construction in recent years, and shared his opinions with the Team on LUSM’s development and its accreditation progress; on April 19,Gou Xiaohua, vice president of LZU met with the Team and listened suggestions and advice from the Team at the feedback session of the accreditation. Zhang Haoli, Executive Dean of Graduate School, Guo Mingzhou, Director of Academic Affairs Office, Chi Gang, Director of International Cooperation and Exchange Office, and leaders from LUSM accompanied the meeting.

President of LZU met with the Team

During the assessment, the Team conducted 15 rigorous inquires and in-depth discussions with a total of 170 person-time representatives of LUSM’s faculty, student, alumni, employer and administrative staff in the fields of the School’s strategic plan, assurance of learning and curriculum management, program development, resource allocation, scientific research and social service, faculty sufficiency and support, student management and support, and the development of executive education. With the guidance of AACSB Accreditation Standards for Business Accreditation (version 2013), the Team conducted standard-by-standard alignment by comparing the School’s development over the past five years to the accreditation standards, and made a comprehensive and systematic evaluation and analysis on the while School’s quality improvement.

Inquiries and discussions

During the on-site visit, the Team recognized and appreciated the significance and backing from both LZU and LUSM leaders in pursuing international accreditation. They also acknowledged the School's innovative approaches undertaken during the accreditation process. The Team commended LUSM's progress in various areas in recent years, and agreed that the School has successfully met all the requirements outlined by AACSB accreditation standards. The Team provided constructive suggestions to further elevate and strengthen LUSM. These suggestions encompassed areas such as internationalization efforts, faculty qualifications, and assurance of learning. The Team's recommendations aimed to propel LUSM to even greater heights, ensuring continued growth and improvement.

PRT reviews the cultural wall and baseroom

During the feedback session, Gou Xiaohua vice president of LZU, received and acknowledged the feedback suggestions on behalf of the university, and expressed her gratitude to the Team for examining the development characteristics and areas in need of improvement of LZU and LUSM from an international perspective. Gou highlighted the significance of LUSM as a pilot school for the university’s development, and expressed the commitment to further supporting the construction and development of LUSM. She point out the both the university and the school will strive to reach a new high by constantly optimizing the work with strict standards. On behalf of the LUSM, He Wensheng, dean of LUSM expressed his gratitude to the Team for their thorough assessment, and concurred with the issues, deficiencies, and constructive suggestions raised by them. He stated that the School will analyze the key points and suggestions for continuous improvement put forward by the Team, and further enhance the development in the aspects of internationalization, assurance of learning and faculty qualifications.

Group photo at the feedback session

Since embarking on the accreditation journey in 2012, with the concern and support of the university, LUSM has made comprehensive strides in all aspects with the unwavering backing of all the staff and faculty. This progress has been achieved through the establishment of accreditation core task forces and AOL working groups. The School has undergone multiple rigorous reviews during the process of pursuing AACSB accreditation.

The success of AACSB accreditation is benefits from the attention and support of the university and school leaders and all departments, as well as the efforts and cooperation of all the stakeholders at both the university and school level, signifies the education quality, development prospect and strategic planning of the LUSM have been internationally recognized by the highest standards of excellence in business education, which is of great significance in promoting the further improvement of the teaching system of the university and the construction of a high-level management school with distinctive international characteristics, and is an important milestone and new beginning in the process of promoting internationalization and carrying out high-quality development with connotation in the School. Taking AACSB accreditation as an opportunity, LUSM will continue to base itself upon the strategy of internationalization, adhere to the concept of “to promote the development by the accreditation”, and to further promote the School’s brand building, enhance its education level, and strengthen the impact both locally and globally, so as to create itself a leading management school of distinctiveness, inclusiveness, and openness with the guidance of the mission “to develop leaders with global perspective, local commitment, and social responsibility.”

[Background Information]

Established in 1916, AACSB International (AACSB) is a global nonprofit association, connects educators, students, and business to achieve a common goal: to create the next generation of great leaders. Synonymous with the highest standards of excellence since 1916, AACSB provides quality assurance, business education intelligence, and learning and development services to over 1,850 member organizations and more than 950 accredited business schools worldwide. AACSB accreditation is known, worldwide, as the longest-standing, most recognized form of specialized accreditation for business and accounting programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral level. Accreditation is a voluntary, nongovernmental process that includes a rigorous external review of a school's mission, faculty qualifications, curricula, and ability to provide the highest-quality programs. As a result, less than 6 percent of the world's schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB business accreditation. Through today's ratification, a total of 988 institutions across 62 countries and territories have earned AACSB accreditation in business. Furthermore, 194 institutions maintain supplemental AACSB accreditation for their accounting programs.