The European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), founded in 1972, is an international organisation whose mission is to support the development and improvement of management education. It is one of the world’s leading accreditation authorities, bringing together thousands of academic and professional experts and fostering spaces for cooperation and innovation. ECON MUNI has been a full member since the beginning of this year.
“Gaining membership was not a mere formality, but the result of a comprehensive evaluation of the Faculty’s institutional profile, focusing on the range of study programmes, the quality of teaching and research, the degree of internationalisation, industry cooperation and social responsibility. Admission to this global network is a proof the Faculty’s long-term strategy is working,” said Markéta Novotná, Vice-Dean of ECON MUNI for Vice-Dean for Internationalisation and Life-long Learning, who is responsible for EFMD Global membership and international accreditation.
EFMD Global membership is a mark of the Faculty's quality
The admission process involved reviews by two existing EFMD Global members vouching for ECON MUNI’s quality. Representatives of similarly-focused faculties of the University of Huddersfield and the University of Pécs, which is also MUNI’s partner university within the EDUC alliance, acted as official referees. Their recommendations were then reviewed by the evaluation committee and the application was submitted to EFMD board for final approval.
“Membership in EFMD Global also gives the Faculty of Economics and Administration access to exclusive services, international working groups and thematic platforms such as Highered by CareerOS, which connects students and graduates of member institutions with leading global employers, strengthens links with the industry and contributes to the employability of graduates in the international labour market. For us, the EFMD membership is a strategic investment in quality, reputation and long-term competitiveness,” added Novotná. ECON MUNI will celebrate this success at the presentation of the EFMD Global membership certificate at the EFMD annual conference in Seville this June.
A step towards EQUIS accreditation
Membership in EFMD Global is also an important step towards EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System) institutional accreditation, which is one of the most sought-after quality assessments of business and management schools in the world. Obtaining this accreditation would place the faculty among globally recognised institutions and increase its attractiveness to foreign partners and applicants. The Faculty is now beginning systematic preparations for this process, which usually takes two to three years. While existing accreditations relate to individual programmes or areas, EQUIS assesses the quality of the school in its entirety.
ECON MUNI’s international accreditations
- In the field of accounting and auditing, ECON MUNI holds accreditations from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, thanks to which students can obtain exemptions from certain parts of professional examinations.
- Finance study programmes have CFA Institute programme partner status, which represents the global standard in investment and financial analysis.
- Public administration programmes are accredited by the European Association for Public Administration Accreditation.