Dean Prof. Dr. Thomas Mählmann speaks of a milestone for the WFI: “Being awarded this accreditation is the reward for the hard work of our entire team, demonstrates our commitment to future-oriented education, and reflects our strong commitment to excellence in global business education.” AACSB is one of the oldest and most renowned accreditation organizations for business schools worldwide. The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business was founded in St. Louis, USA, in 1916 with the aim of ensuring excellence and continuous improvement in management education, research, and institutional leadership. Only around six percent of business schools worldwide meet the requirements, yet the network that WFI is now joining comprises around 1,000 accredited universities in more than 100 countries.
The accreditation is particularly important for the further internationalization of the faculty, which already has a strong global network through double-degree programs, exchange programs, partner universities, and research collaborations. “The accreditation promises to open doors for new research and teaching collaborations and is often considered a prerequisite for prestigious partnerships”, explains Dean Mählmann. “The AACSB accreditation can be seen as a kind of access ticket to an exclusive network.”
Students and alumni also benefit from the accreditation, adds Dean of Studies Prof. Dr. Reinald Koch. The AACSB seal is recognized as confirmation of labor market-oriented teaching practices that are continuously developed further. “This gives our graduates a real competitive advantage when starting their careers”, says Koch. Employers – both international and regional – recognize the accreditation as a seal of quality. In order to strengthen networking with the business and professional world, a newly established advisory board with company representatives and alumni will accompany the further development of the faculty in the future.
In addition to the faculty's research and teaching profile, quality management, and international networking, the accreditation also focused on its philosophy, which is why the WFI sharpened its mission statement in preparation. “We are focused on one mission: business and economics with the human being at the center”, emphasizes Dean Thomas Mählmann. The goal of the WFI is to educate and train responsible individuals who adopt a global perspective. “In doing so, we translate excellent research and teaching into sustainable, ethically responsible action in business, the economy, and society.”
For the President of the KU, Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien, who congratulates the WFI on its successful accreditation, this guiding principle fits in with the profile of the entire University, which pursues the goal of serving the common good as a “committed University” by exploring and responding to the challenges of politics, economics, culture, religion, and the environment. “Our aim is for the KU to build bridges between science and society, to take up external impulses and incorporate them into research and teaching.” The focus on the well-being of people and humanity is the guiding principle, for example when it comes to issues of digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence.
The accreditation was preceded by a complex process lasting several years. This included support from an AACSB mentor, peer review by international deans, and a three-day on-site visit to Eichstätt and Ingolstadt. “As project manager for AACSB accreditation and in my role as Vice Dean for Internationalization at WFI, I am happy and proud that we have achieved this milestone”, says Prof. Dr. Shashi Matta. “Everyone – the University Management, my colleagues in the dean's office, our faculty members, staff, our wonderful students, and alumni – has been very supportive of our efforts to achieve international accreditation”, adds Matta. With this AACSB accreditation, the WFI has received a quality certification at the highest international level. But the efforts do not end there: The successful profiling of the faculty will continue to be promoted. AACSB accredited institutions are reaccredited every six years and must demonstrate continuous improvement.
