BBS Among the Leading International Business Schools. EQUIS Accreditation Granted for the Next 5 Years
27 September 2024Bologna Business School Strengthens Its Position Among Global Leaders in Managerial Education by Achieving EQUIS Accreditation for the Next Five Years. This international recognition, awarded by EFMD Global, is one of the most prestigious in the world and is granted to only 220 business schools out of more than 16,000 globally. The renewal of the accreditation confirms BBS as one of the top business schools worldwide, placing it among the select institutions that meet the highest international standards.
An Innovative and Interdisciplinary Approach
BBS has distinguished itself through its innovative approach to managerial education, characterized by solid integration with the business world and a focus on interdisciplinarity. This model, which combines academic tradition with innovation, has established the school as a reference point for developing talents capable of tackling the challenges of digital transformation, sustainability, and innovation.
With over 20 private partners among its founding members, BBS has created a unique learning environment where academia and industry collaborate to shape future leaders. Its newest members are Coesia, Ferrarelle, Emil Banca, GroupM, Kerakoll, Musixmatch, Pelliconi, and Viabizzuno. These new entrants join a prestigious group of partners that have supported the school throughout its history and contributed, along with other supporters such as the Emilia-Romagna Region, to the establishment of the new campus.
The EQUIS Accreditation: A Recognition of Excellence
The EQUIS accreditation is the highest recognition awarded by EFMD to business schools that demonstrate excellence in all areas, from faculty quality to internationalization, including innovation in educational programs. The accreditation process involved all stakeholders of BBS—from students to faculty, from partner companies to alumni—and concluded with a unanimous evaluation by the International Board.
BBS boasts a faculty of over 300 members, half of whom come directly from the business world, and attracts approximately 3,500 participants each year from 65 countries worldwide. The school also has a network of around 15,000 alumni globally. Thanks to the continuous innovation of its programs, BBS is positioned among the most advanced schools in managerial education, with courses focused on emerging themes such as sustainability and artificial intelligence.
The New Campus: A Bridge Between Tradition and the Future
In addition to the EQUIS recognition, BBS is celebrating its new campus’s inauguration, which is located directly across from the historic Villa Guastavillani. This cutting-edge project reflects the dual identity of the school: rooted in the tradition of the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the Western world while being oriented toward the future with advanced technological solutions and a solid commitment to sustainability.
The new campus represents a crucial step in multiplying growth and development opportunities for students, businesses, and the community, creating an environment conducive to exchanging skills and ideas. The goal is to further strengthen the connection between academia and industry in a virtuous cycle that generates positive impacts for participants and society as a whole.
A Vision for the Future
“When I received the call from the President of EQUIS, I felt a bit emotional,” stated Max Bergami, Dean of BBS and Professor of Organization, “because it was inevitable to think of the many years of work that led us to this achievement. I especially thought of the dozens, perhaps hundreds, of people who contributed to this result with a spirit of service and conviction. Immediately afterward, I reflected on the responsibility we now have, even greater, to make a tangible impact on the opportunities we can create for individuals, businesses, and society. In today’s context, learning and social cohesion are perhaps the most vital resource for navigating uncertainty. BBS is committed to both fronts. This feels like a new beginning for the School’s activities, both for the new campus and for this result that positions us among the great European schools and presents us with new challenges to contribute to economic and social development through our commitment.”
Romano Prodi, President of the BBS Board of Governors, also emphasized the significance of this achievement: “The five years of accreditation confirm the progress that BBS has made recently, with a pace that finds few comparisons in this field, which is subjected to such rigorous international scrutiny.”
A Forward-Looking Recognition
The EQUIS accreditation for BBS arrives at a time of significant growth and transformation. With the inauguration of the new campus and the expansion of its network of private partners, the school is positioning itself as an increasingly relevant player in the global landscape of managerial education. Thanks to its innovative vision and strong ties to the business world, BBS is poised to continue growing and training future leaders, significantly contributing to addressing the challenges of the contemporary world.
