The University of Twente’s International Business Administration (IBA) and the corresponding Master’s programme Business Administration (BA) can proudly boast EPAS accreditation for another three years. Professor Toonen, dean of the Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences (BMS) says: “We were thrilled when we received the news and would like to extend a warm thanks to the EPAS team for all the time, energy and expertise they put into this. The recognition is important, but the accreditation process itself has been an invaluable learning experience too. We are very proud of this re-accreditation and will ensure that the review committee’s recommendations will be taken on board and implemented.”
Programme Director Professor Petra de Weerd-Nederhof says: “We are very pleased of course. Since 2013 we have continued to work hard on the points for improvement and on the ‘Intended Learning Outcomes’ in particular, which we have based on the university’s 3O philosophy and our Innovation and Entrepreneurship profile in a technological context. The committee was very pleased with our plans because this would help highlight the unique Twente strengths of ‘High Tech, Human Touch’ in our business administration programmes. The Twente Education Model (TEM), project work, the large number of interactions with the field as well as our teachers’ expertise and commitment and our system with individual learning agreements in five new specializations in our Master’s programme also received high praise.”
To further improve our programmes, EPAS recommends focusing even more on internationalization, but also on the selection process, improving access to good internships and career orientation and integrating new guidelines in the areas of business ethics, corporate governance and sustainability. For this purpose, the degree programme will become a member of PRME, the UN’s network for responsible management education. We will also conduct a benchmark analysis and competition analysis in collaboration with ECIU partner Stavanger, and we will appoint a new professional practice council. The EPAS and NVAO accreditation are both up for renewal in 2019.
The degree programmes have been thoroughly reviewed by the EFMD, The European Foundation for Management Development. This organization is located in Brussels and includes more than 800 members from the academic world, the business community and public services in 81 countries. The bar for reviewing economic and management programmes is set extremely high.
Information on the IBA Bachelor’s programme and the BA Master’s programme
The International Business Administration Bachelor’s and Master’s in Business Administration programmes prepare students for a successful career in international business. Because these programmes are offered in the High Tech environment of the University of Twente, students become familiar with the influence of technology on the business community and they learn to explain and influence business administration problems in a high-tech context. This video illustrates the added value for students.
