2018 is off to an excellent start for HEC Lausanne, with a renewal of its EQUIS accreditation for a five-year period. This is the highest EQUIS distinction conferred by the Awarding Body of the EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development), which is one of the most prestigious international accreditation organizations in the management training field. The decision recognizes HEC Lausanne’s leading position among business and management institutions worldwide. A fine reward and a major achievement for the Faculty!
As the main assessment system for the quality of business and management schools, EQUIS implements standards that are designed to develop and improve the overall quality of these institutions. It assesses how well schools are managed in various ways (internationalization of courses, a strong interface with the world of business, etc.) while attaching particular importance to the development of students’ management and entrepreneurial skills. Accreditation is thus linked to both the excellence and continuous improvement of a school’s quality, including its strategy, vision and leadership role. Much of the assessment work is carried out by Deans from EQUIS-accredited schools.
HEC Lausanne had previously achieved EQUIS accreditation for three years but surpassed itself in the most recent process in December 2017 by obtaining it for five years. In renewing its accreditation, the Faculty effectively demonstrated to the EFMD that it maintained high standards of quality that are internationally recognized, whilst offering a high level of internationalization and providing its students with a good balance of academic knowledge that is also relevant in the workplace.
Jean-Philippe Bonardi, Dean of the Faculty, was delighted by the excellent news and paid tribute to the achievement: “HEC Lausanne is extremely proud to receive EQUIS accreditation for a further five years. This is an outstanding achievement, which not only reflects the quality of the School but is also the result of the support offered by the University of Lausanne and the excellence flowing through the EFMD network.”
A sign of distinction for graduates and new students
According to worldwide figures from June 2017, just 174 schools (in a total of 42 countries) have been awarded the EQUIS label, including the University of St-Gallen, HEC Paris, the London Business School and Stanford University (Graduate School of Business).
EQUIS accreditation is a valuable asset for HEC Lausanne’s graduates and future graduates, since it proves the high quality of the education they are receiving and confers international recognition on the institution to which they are affiliated. It will help the Faculty to continue to develop partnerships with renowned universities, giving students even more possibilities for international exchanges. They could hardly ask for more!