AABS Accredtation
AABS Accreditation is a unique African accreditation, underpinned by African values and contexts. It is, as such, a system to benchmark the provision of high-quality business and management education in Africa. It is a habit of continuous improvement that creates the basis for excellence and is a globally recognized standard of quality and a bold step in shaping the African concept of management education.
The AABS Accreditation is designed to promote high standards in business education through credible and benchmarked criteria, inclusive social and economic growth promotion, and relevant local context consideration.
The AABS quality benchmarking focuses on the relevance and quality of what your school does (research, teaching, and student experience) to provide first-rate management education and the consequent meaningful impact it has on its environment.
Interested institutions should contact the AABS Accreditation office by sending an email to accreditation@aabschools.com for further assistance.
AABS Accreditation Standards
AABS accreditation focuses on the relevance and quality of the school’s mission, programmes, facilities, and so on, and the positive impact the school can make on society through its faculty, research, and alumni. It looks at how well a school can foster responsible management practice, improve the skills of students, develop its (and other) faculty, and generally contribute to the body of knowledge of business and management in Africa.
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Relevance to the African Context
The school’s overall approach demonstrates awareness of the surrounding environment (national, political, legal, social, and economic) and has the mission and portfolio that serves the needs of its operating environment.
Institution
The school’s overall operation has a clear governance system where the mission, strategy and its allocation of available funds and resources are managed effectively and efficiently. This area covers Standards 2-4 which are the school’s Mission, Vision and Strategy, Governance, and Resources.
Stakeholders
The school has identified the different ways relationships with its stakeholders should be managed and handled. Beginning with its students, alumni, corporates, and finally its partnerships with other institutions in Africa. The institution should also demonstrate awareness of its level of diversification and relationship to the marketplace. This area covers standards 5-7, which are the school’s Students, Faculty, and External Relations.
Portfolio
The school has a variety of programmes along with a research portfolio by demonstrating an operational structure for programme development and design, promoting research, up-to-date teaching and assessment methods, and relevance of learning materials. This area covers standards 8-9, which are Programs and Research.
Impact on Africa
The school should summarise the evidence that it has contributed to inclusive economic and social development in Africa through its governance structure, stakeholders’ relationships, diversification awareness and overall portfolio.
Sustainability
The school must show that it’s overall approach to management education is sustainable through its governance structure, relationships with stakeholders, through its portfolio offerings, and how relevant and impactful it is to the African continent. This is an overall and a concluding standard which is embedded across the criteria as it serves as a statement for successful continuous improvement process.
aabs accreditation process
For detailed information about the process, refer to the AABS Accreditation Handbook and Process Guidelines and the AABS Accreditation Policies and Outline.
The AABS accreditation process is laid out into eight phases:
Expression of interest
The first step of the AABS accreditation process begins with a basic expression of interest and enquiry about the AABS accreditation. Institutions are required to fill out the AABS Accreditation Letter of Interest form and send it to accreditation@aabschools.com.
AccreSys Application
After receiving acknowledgment from the AABS Accreditation Office, institutions are required to fill and submit the AABS Accreditation Application Form. Institutions have the option either to fill out a form using a word document or through the online portal.
Mentorship
Institutions who have passed the application stare and opt in for a Mentor are assigned one withing eight weeks from receiving the application acceptance letter until the submission of their self-review report.
Self-review Report
The self-evaluation process and report preparation are expected to begin as soon as the application has been accepted and/or the Mentor has been assigned and must be completed within eighteen (18) months of a Mentor being appointed.
Completed report must be sent to the AABS Review Team and the AABS Accreditation Office at least eight (8) weeks before scheduled visit.
Accreditation Visit
Institutions should be ready to justify the representations made in the self-review report to the AABS Review Team, clarify any issues of concern and be as honest and open as possible during the three-days visit.
Accreditation Decision
The AABS Board is responsible for the accreditation decision. The Board will review the final accreditation report compiled by the AABS Review Team and decide on the accreditation award based on their assessment of the report.
AABS Accreditation will be awarded for five (5) years, after which the accreditation will expire.
Post Accreditation
In attaining the AABS Accreditation, a school commits to maintaining and continuously improving its standards to align with those of the AABS accreditation standards and criteria.
Submission of a Mid-Term report is due two and a half years (2years and 6months) from the accreditation awarding date.
Re-Accreditation
A school that wishes to be re-accredited must submit the re-accreditation letter in electronic format, at least 18 months before expiry of the current accreditation.
Expression of interest
The first step of the AABS accreditation process begins with a basic expression of interest and enquiry about the AABS accreditation. Institutions are required to fill out the AABS Accreditation Letter of Interest form and send it to accreditation@aabschools.com.
AccreSys Application
After receiving acknowledgment from the AABS Accreditation Office, institutions are required to fill and submit the AABS Accreditation Application Form. Institutions have the option either to fill out a form using a word document or through the online portal.
Mentorship
Institutions who have passed the application stare and opt in for a Mentor are assigned one withing eight weeks from receiving the application acceptance letter until the submission of their self-review report.
Self-review Report
The self-evaluation process and report preparation are expected to begin as soon as the application has been accepted and/or the Mentor has been assigned and must be completed within eighteen (18) months of a Mentor being appointed.
Completed report must be sent to the AABS Review Team and the AABS Accreditation Office at least eight (8) weeks before scheduled visit.
Accreditation Visit
Institutions should be ready to justify the representations made in the self-review report to the AABS Review Team, clarify any issues of concern and be as honest and open as possible during the three-days visit.
Accreditation Decision
The AABS Board is responsible for the accreditation decision. The Board will review the final accreditation report compiled by the AABS Review Team and decide on the accreditation award based on their assessment of the report.
AABS Accreditation will be awarded for five (5) years, after which the accreditation will expire.
Post Accreditation
In attaining the AABS Accreditation, a school commits to maintaining and continuously improving its standards to align with those of the AABS accreditation standards and criteria.
Submission of a Mid-Term report is due two and a half years (2years and 6months) from the accreditation awarding date.
Re-Accreditation
A school that wishes to be re-accredited must submit the re-accreditation letter in electronic format, at least 18 months before expiry of the current accreditation.
aabs accreditation benefits
recognition
Provides an international recognition of excellence that raises the prestige and reputation of your institution, helping to attract faculty, students, employers and strategic partners
improvement
Encourages a tradition of continuous improvement in all aspects of your school’s processes, enabling it to adapt quickly to the changing needs of the environment in which it operates
learning
Facilitates peer learning and sharing of best practice within a network of AABS-accredited schools
aabs accredited schools
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aabs accreditation COMMITTEE
Full Professor at the The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB)
Ana Martins is an Full Professor at the The American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB). Her scholarly and academic experience includes working with and teaching in universities with diverse cultures and countries, including the UK, China, Germany, Portugal, the Middle East, and currently South Africa. She is an Integrated Member of CIP – Centre for Research in Psychology at Autonomous University of Lisbon (UAL) CIP – Centro de Investigação em Psicologia, Lisbon, Portugal.
Pro Vice-Chancellor, Ghana Communication Technology University
Senior Advisor in Education Management, ESCA School of Management
Dr. Nizar Becheikh is Associate Professor of Strategy and Innovation Management at the School of Business of the American University in Cairo (AUC, Egypt). He served as Interim Dean of the School in 2017, and Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research from 2013-2018. He also served as Director of the EMBA, the MBA, and the CEMS/MIM programs. He earned a Ph.D. in Business Administration and a MBA in International Management from Laval University (Canada).
During his time in Canada, he worked closely, as part of research and consulting projects, with managers and policy makers from Canadian SMEs, public organizations, and governmental agencies intended to foster innovation and regional economic development in Canada. He published his research in top-tier refereed academic journals and prestigious conferences, and in the form of professional reports and best practices guides. Dr. Becheikh has coached entrepreneurs in different phases of development of their business ideas.
He also contributed to different workshops and seminars meant for promoting entrepreneurship in Egypt and the MENA Region. Dr. Becheikh teaches Strategy, Innovation Management, and Entrepreneurship at the undergraduate and the (Executive) MBA programs. His current research interests focus on political economy in the Arab region, innovation paths and best practices in developing countries, and managing growth and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises in Arab countries.
Dean of Programs, Emlyon Business School
Mark Smith is a proven academic leader in triple accredited business schools in Europe and Africa. He has led schools through change, the development of new program delivery, and key accreditations (EQUIS, AACSB, AMBA).
At Emlyon Business School he leads the full suite of pre-experience programs including bachelors, Master-in-Management and specialist masters, encompassing approximately 8000 students. His responsibilities also include the unique elements of the Emlyon student experience that include sports, employability, start-up incubation, languages, and the social impact programme “La Toile”.
He was previously Director of the Stellenbosch Business School (SA), Faculty Dean at Grenoble Ecole de Management(FR), and faculty member at Manchester Business School (UK). His research interests focus on employment outcomes for women and men including their careers, working conditions, working-time, and work-life integration. He publishes regularly in the media about his research and management education.
Helmi Hammami is the AABS Accreditation Committee Chair and Dean of ESLSCA Business School (Egypt). His portfolio covers research valorization and making research more entrenched in society and societal issues.
Until September 2021, Prof. Hammami has been the Academic Dean of Rennes SB, where he managed the academic affairs of the school. He also held several other leadership positions including the Senior Advisor for accreditations, the Head of the Department of Finance and Accounting, and the Head of the Department of Strategy and Innovation at Rennes SB.
Before joining Rennes SB, Prof. Hammami worked for several years at Qatar University where he was very active in university reform. He held the position of the Head of the Department of Accounting and Information systems, with a portfolio of responsibilities covering several facets of the academic affairs of the school.
Helmi led several committees related to quality assurance, faculty affairs and accreditations. With an extensive international experience, Prof. Hammami is well-versed in academic reforms especially in relation to the requirements of international accreditation bodies with whom he is very engaged, and faculty management in multicultural settings. Besides, he has good knowledge of the North American and the French education systems, in particular.
He holds a PhD in Accounting and Finance from Bocconi University – Italy. He is a former resident fellow of the Collegio di Milano, and recipient of the French Government fellowship to outstanding overseas academics.
Helmi specializes in accounting related topics notably financial reporting (IFRS), fraud risk governance, and accounting for economic development. He has several publications in international academic refereed journals. Helmi works extensively with accounting professional bodies to strengthen the academic-pr ties. He acted as the vice-president for academic relations at the IMA French chapter and he is active with the French and other accounting bodies. As part of the give-back to the community, Helmi sits on the board of several SMEs and provides advice to bourgeonning entrepreneurs.
AABS Accreditation Resources
Application Form 2022
Fees Structure
2025
Handbook and Process
Letter of Interest 2018
Policies and Outlines
and Criteria Guidelines 2021
AABS Accreditation White Papers
Analysis and Uniqueness
Importance of Data Collection
Accreditation to Date
FAQs
AABS is a non-profit organization devoted to grow Africa through quality management education.
Interested institutions should contact AABS Accreditation office by sending an email to accreditation@aabschools.com.
Yes, all documents need to be written and presented in English.
AABS Accreditation is awarded for a maximum of five years.
Please refer to the AABS Accreditation Fees Structure found at www.aabschools.com.
The SRR is what the institution produces using the AABS Accreditation Standards and Criteria Guidelines to become accredited. The report is between 100 to 150 pages in length (excluding annexes) and should cover all 11 standards.
AABS supports graduate business schools through capacity building, collaboration and quality improvement programmes for deans/directors and faculty from African Business Schools.
AABS is led by a Chair who works with the Governing Board.
The AABS head office is in South Africa, however, AABS has offices embedded in all regions across the continent (Egypt and Senegal).
Yes, the accreditation process is only open to AABS members. For information on becoming a member, please send an email to membership@aabschools.com
Institutions interested to start the accreditation process should send a letter of interest via email to accreditation@aabschools.com. Further details on the format of the letter and content could be found under the accreditation tab at www.aabschools.com.
The AABS accreditation is designed to cover quality principles for the whole institution. We believe that a comprehensive management education starts not only in the classroom, but through the institutions’ relationship with corporate, partnerships with other education institution, its national influence, connecting with alumni, among others.
As long as they follow the same criteria as listed in standard 8, then yes, AABS accredits online programs. For more details, refer to the AABS Accreditation Standards and Criteria Guidelines.
Yes, the language of delivery typically does not influence the scope of the accreditation.
Serving or former dean/associate dean/equivalent from another school which is accredited by AABS or other international accreditation bodies, and which has a similar mission or offers some similar programmes with the school being accredited are eligible. The mentor may also be a professional/expert in the management education sector in Africa.
The time that is required to complete the AABS accreditation process depends on the accreditation sought and other factors. On an average, an institution with no prior accreditation experience can meet the requirements of AABS accreditation from two to three years.