KARACHI, Aug 25: The Institute of Business Administration joined the select group of seven other top business schools in South Asia — six from India and one from Pakistan (LUMS) — as it was awarded the coveted accreditation by the South Asian Quality Assurance System.

The SAQS developed by the Association of Management Development Institutions of South Asia with headquarters in Hyderabad, India, evaluates the business schools in the region against the rigorous criteria and quality parameters of the European Quality Assurance System.

“SAQS Accredited”, the highest standard of achievement for management schools, is a quality label which assures that the institution has benchmarked itself with leading global schools in the world in respect of continuous quality improvement.

Quality parameters required to receive the SAQS accreditation include institutional mission and its alignment, faculty capability and composition, curricula quality, admission and delivery system, research and executive education, global and regional network promoting connections with the corporate world and making contributions to the community, and academic and physical infrastructure.

Commenting on the award of this distinctive honor, IBA dean and director Dr Ishrat Husain said: “This is just the beginning of a long journey upon which we have embarked. The next hurdles i.e. securing the European and American accreditation are more stringent and arduous to cross. But we will continue to do our utmost to move in that direction.”