Dean Prof. Dr. Thomas Mählmann calls it a milestone for WFI: “The awarding of this seal is the reward for the hard work of our entire team, demonstrates our commitment to future-oriented education, and reflects our strong dedication to excellence in global business education.” AACSB is the oldest and most prestigious accreditation organizations for business schools worldwide. Less than six percent of business schools worldwide meet its standards; the network includes roughly 1,000 accredited institutions in more than 100 countries. The accreditation stands for excellence, rigorous quality standards, and continuous improvement in management education, research, and institutional leadership – and is often a prerequisite for high-caliber international partnerships.
The path to accreditation was a high-effort, multi-year process guided by an AACSB assigned mentor, assessed through multiple self-evaluation reports, and a rigorous, in-person peer review by a team of international business school deans. Prof. Dr. Shashi Matta, who led the AACSB accreditation project for WFI, highlights the excellent collaboration of all involved: “As project leader for AACSB accreditation and in my role as Vice Dean for Internationalization at WFI, I am happy and proud that we achieved this milestone. Everyone – the university leadership, my colleagues in the dean’s office, our faculty members, staff, our outstanding students, and alumni – strongly supported our efforts toward international accreditation.” With AACSB accreditation, WFI receives a quality endorsement at the highest international level; at the same time, we remain committed to continually advancing the faculty’s strong profile.
Students and alumni also benefit. Associate Dean for Academic Programs Prof. Dr. Reinald Koch emphasizes that the AACSB seal is recognized as confirmation of career-oriented, continuously enhanced teaching. “This is a real competitive advantage for our graduates as they launch their careers,” says Koch. A newly established Advisory Board of corporate representatives and alumni will further strengthen ties with industry. The accreditation also bolsters the faculty’s internationalization through double-degree programs, exchanges, partner universities, and research collaborations. “The accreditation promises to open doors for new research and teaching collaborations and is often seen as a prerequisite for high-caliber partnerships. The AACSB accreditation is a kind of admission ticket to an exclusive network,” explains Dean Mählmann.
As part of the process, the faculty also sharpened its mission. “We are mission-driven: economics and business that are centered on people,” emphasizes Dean Thomas Mählmann. WFI aims to educate and develop responsible individuals with a global perspective. “We translate excellent research and teaching into sustainable, ethically responsible action in business, the economy, and society.” For KU President Prof. Dr. Gabriele Gien, this mission aligns with the university’s overall profile as an “engaged university,” serving the common good by exploring and responding to the challenges of politics, business, culture, religion, and the environment. “Our aspiration is for KU to build bridges between academia and society, to take up impulses from outside and integrate them into research and teaching.” The well-being of people and humanity is the compass – also for questions of digitalization and the use of artificial intelligence.
The AACSB accreditation inspires a culture of continuous improvement, innovation, and impact in teaching, research, and knowledge transfer – through the concerted and collaborative efforts of everyone at WFI.
