IBA Programmes NVAO Approved

19.04.2018

Wittenborg's Tutor System Praised as IBA Programmes Approved for Another 6 Years

The Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO) has just re-accredited all WUAS’ IBA specialisations for the next 6 years. The decision is valid until 29 March 2024, and the result as well as the body’s full assessment was recently published on NVAO’s website.

Student Support

In the report, Wittenborg’s tutoring system in particular was highlighted as good due to the intensive counselling, help and open-door policy the university maintains for its students. A panel of education experts visited Wittenborg in March 2017 at its main campus in Apeldoorn. On the IBA faculty it commented: "The faculty’s composition, consisting of full-time and part-time lecturers, guarantees that both the academic standards and the requirements of professional practice are fully satisfied." Due to the new fiscal regulation, which allows Dutch freelancers to lecture in accredited programmes only under specific circumstances, WUAS raised its number of directly employed lecturers. This fact ensures continuity and consistency in the programme.

Wittenborg’s International Business programme was first accredited by NVAO in 2006 and then again in 2012 by both NVAO and FIBAA, the German, Austrian, Swiss accrediting body.

FIBAA re-accredited the IBA programme in July 2017. Wittenborg’s chair of the executive board, Peter Birdsall, said at the time: “We don’t take the positive accreditation for granted and see the approval as part of an ongoing exercise in quality improvement.”

NVAO special distinction for internationalisation

In addition to NVAO’s latest stamp of approval, Wittenborg also received a special distinction for its international characteristic. This was done on the basis of the panel report for the application of an award entitled the Certificate for Quality in Internationalisation by the European Consortium for Accreditation (ECA) - an association of recognised accreditation and quality assurance agencies in Europe. Wittenborg hopes to gain ECA approval shortly.

According to FIBAA's report for the ECA, the learning environment regarding international and intercultural aspects is clearly above average at Wittenborg. “The international composition of WUAS teaching and administrative staff as well as the international composition of the WUAS student body are remarkable and have a clear impact on the university’s international profile and the quality of studies. Staff and students together create a truly international and intercultural atmosphere at WUAS, which benefits all university members.”

WUP 19/04/2018