The UBD School of Business and Economics (UBDSBE) at Universiti Brunei Darussalam is proud to announce that it has been awarded the prestigious AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) Accreditation, a hallmark of excellence in business education during a press conference in Universiti Brunei Darussalam. This achievement marks a significant milestone in UBDSBE’s history, demonstrating its commitment to providing high-quality education and nurturing innovative and caring leaders.
AACSB, established in 1916, is a global nonprofit association that fosters engagement, accelerates innovation, and amplifies impact in business education. The standards set by AACSB for accreditation are stringent, with 86 percent of AACSB-accredited schools acknowledging them as the most demanding compared to other accreditations. Less than 6 percent of the world’s schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB business accreditation. With this accreditation, UBDSBE joins an elite group of just over 1000 business schools across 60 countries, impacting over 5 million students globally. Moreover, it stands as one of the 28 business schools in ASEAN to accomplish this prestigious recognition.
Since its establishment in 1985, initially as the Faculty of Management and Administrative Studies and later renamed in 2014 as UBD School of Business and Economics, UBDSBE has continually improved its core activities to align with global standards. The accreditation journey started in 2017 and culminated in this remarkable achievement on 15th November 2023, following a comprehensive peer review team visit in August 2023.
This accreditation affirms UBDSBE’s mission: “To provide quality education and nurture innovative and caring leaders to contribute to the community.” As the first institution in Brunei Darussalam to achieve this distinction, UBDSBE is positioned at the forefront of business education in the region. UBDSBE is grateful for the dedicated efforts of its faculty, staff, students, and the support from the wider community, which have been integral to this accomplishment. UBDSBE remains committed to upholding the high standards set by AACSB and continuing its journey towards excellence in business education.
In a statement, the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Yang Mulia Dr Hazri bin Hj Kifle, Vice Chancellor, expressed immense pride in UBDSBE’s AACSB Accreditation. He commended the School’s commitment to educational excellence and highlighted this achievement as a reflection of the School’s dedication to shaping future leaders. This achievement is made possible with the strong leadership of His Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar ‘Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam and Chancellor of UBD, continuous support of His Majesty’s Government and the consistent hard work and dedication of UBD staff as well as students of UBD.
Dean Dr Masairol bin Haji Masri also expressed pride in their AACSB accreditation, highlighting it as a milestone that aligns the School with globally recognized institutions in delivering quality education and impactful research. He emphasized the honour of being the first accredited business school in Brunei Darussalam, reflecting on this achievement as a step towards fulfilling Brunei Darussalam’s Vision 2035. He expressed gratitude to the University’s leadership, AACSB, mentors, and the peer review team for their invaluable support throughout this journey. He anticipates in continuing collaborations with AACSB and the global business school community.