Dhillon School of Business earns accreditation extension

By Ry Clarke - Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on February 16, 2023.

The University of Lethbridge’s Dhillon School of Business has received its accreditation extension for an additional five-year term by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International.

The university’s business school was initially accredited in 2018, and is among only six per cent of business schools accredited worldwide.

The AACSB is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools and the largest business education network, holding its members accountable to its high-quality standards with a review every five years.

“Technically, it is called a continuous improvement review because there are nine standards that we have to maintain. It is always about the notion of continuous improvement. You are not standing still, you don’t meet the standards and that’s it.You have to do continuous improvement, and we have to show what we are doing to address things on an ongoing basis,” said Kerry Godfrey, Dean of the Dhillon School of Business.

The Dhillon School works with multiple initiatives including the development of new programming such as the Health Services Management graduate certificate and master’s program.

“One of the things that we are quite proud of is we are the first business school in Canada to require all of our students to take an Indigenous knowledge course as part of the Truth and Reconciliation Act,” said Godfrey.

“We also require all of our students to take an international management course. We are trying to encourage understanding of many different types of issues. It’s not core business activities – we fit into a broader landscape, moving in that direction with our Indigenous knowledge requirements, and our international management requirements.”

The accreditation helps puts the university on the map for international students looking to further their education.

“It speaks to the international market in terms of quality. If you have got, say 15,000 schools, and only a handful are accredited around the world, then that tells you where you might want to go if you are considering an international education,” said Godfrey.

“I think the growing attraction for international students and the fact that we are accredited, speaks to the overall quality of the program and the interest there is in terms of people pursuing an education at a Canadian business education.”

With a push towards ongoing education, the Dhillon School will continue to work on its advances.

“We are looking at new credentials, new opportunities, at the undergraduate and graduate level. I’m a strong believer that one size does not fit all. It’s not just a four-year degree, we can have two-year diplomas that latter into the degree, different ways that you can put learning together that allows people to gain access to, and process, from their first year through to their final year,” said Godfrey.

“We are looking at new Masters programs related to finance and broad management for non-business graduates. If you did a BA or BSC, you might add a management top up on that when you graduate.”

With a renewal on its accreditation, the Dhillon School of Business will look to how it can keep growing and deliver the best education for its students.

“What we are trying to do is create different opportunities for people to pursue education to the level, and pace, that feels right for them,” said Godfrey. “We are looking at all sorts of innovations within the curriculum.”