Enhancing Quality Through Dual Accreditation: The ECLBS Model

Supporting Private and International Institutions with Global and National Recognition

In today’s increasingly global higher education environment, private and international institutions face a dual challenge: the need to demonstrate compliance with national regulatory requirements while simultaneously achieving international recognition for academic quality. The European Council of Leading Business Schools (ECLBS) addresses this challenge through its dual accreditation strategy, designed to enhance institutional credibility, facilitate cross-border recognition, and build student and stakeholder trust.

What Is Dual Accreditation?

Dual accreditation refers to a coordinated process in which an institution is:

• Accredited by ECLBS for academic quality assurance, aligned with the European Standards and Guidelines (ESG); and

• Recognized by a government-authorized national or intergovernmental quality assurance body for legal or institutional accreditation.

This model is particularly beneficial for private, transnational, and online institutions that operate in jurisdictions where national accreditation is essential for degree validation, student visa processing, or eligibility for government recognition.

ECLBS Partners in Dual Accreditation:

To enhance the value and legitimacy of its accredited institutions, ECLBS has established partnerships with recognized national and intergovernmental bodies, including:

🇰🇬 BSKG – Kyrgyzstan

(Public Foundation “Independent Accreditation Agency”)

Recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, BSKG provides institutional accreditation across Central Asia and CIS countries. BSKG is also a member of:

• INQAAHE (International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education – Spain)

• APQN (Asia-Pacific Quality Network – China)

• EAQA (Eurasian Association for Education Quality Assessment – for EAEU member states)

🇺🇿 ARIA – Uzbekistan

(Accreditation and Ranking International Agency)

ARIA is officially listed by the Government of Uzbekistan and authorized under Cabinet Resolution No. 666 (2021) to accredit both local and international higher education institutions. ARIA is affiliated with:

• CEENQA (Central and Eastern European QA Agencies Network – Germany)

• EURASHE (European Association for Institutions in Higher Education – Belgium)

• NEQMAP (Network on Education Quality Monitoring in the Asia-Pacific – Thailand)

🌍 TAG-EDUQA – Arab Region

(Abu-Ghazaleh for Quality Assurance in Education)

Operating under the frameworks of the Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education (AROQA), TAG-EDUQA provides quality assurance services across the Arab region, serving both public and private institutions aiming to meet regional standards of academic excellence.

🌐 EDU – Intergovernmental Organization (IGO)

(The Intergovernmental Organization for Educational Accreditation)

EDU was founded by the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Palau, operating under a multilateral charter endorsed by multiple UN member states and aligned with UNESCO frameworks. Its intergovernmental status allows it to issue transnational institutional and program-level accreditations.ECLBS collaborates with EDU to support institutions seeking cross-border academic recognition, particularly in developing countries or regions with limited national QA infrastructure.

Why This Matters

Many private and independent institutions provide high-quality education, yet they may lack access to formal national systems or operate in multiple countries. Without appropriate quality assurance mechanisms, such institutions can be misrepresented or excluded from international networks — despite their academic strength.

The ECLBS dual accreditation model offers a solution by providing:

✅ Academic quality assurance aligned with ESG through ECLBS

✅ National or interstate institutional recognition via our QA partners

✅ Increased student and employer confidence in academic credentials

✅ Eligibility for global rankings, recognition schemes, and mobility programs

Transparency in Accreditation Status

At ECLBS, transparency is a core value. We distinguish clearly between membership and accreditation:

🔹 Not all listed institutions are accredited. Some are full members participating in ECLBS activities or currently under evaluation.

To verify an institution’s current status, users can simply:

• Click on the institution’s name in the ECLBS Member Directory

• View full details including:

  • Accreditation status (e.g., Accredited, Candidate, Under Review)

  • Accreditation type (Programmatic, Institutional)

  • Partner recognitions (e.g., BSKG, ARIA, TAG-EDUQA, EDU)

  • Evaluation documents or certificates (when publicly available)

This system ensures clarity and integrity for students, partners, and regulatory authorities.

Our Commitment to Ethical and Inclusive Quality Assurance

Our dual accreditation framework is more than an administrative process — it reflects our commitment to global educational excellence:

🏛 Quality – Grounded in peer-reviewed standards based on the European ESG framework🤝 Partnership – Respecting the sovereignty and role of national QA authorities

🌐 Global Inclusion – Supporting institutions that serve diverse, international student communities

🔍 Transparency – Public access to accreditation records and institutional status

As the international education sector continues to evolve, ECLBS remains committed to fostering trust, accountability, and excellence across all forms of business education.

Final Thought

In an era where academic quality and legal recognition must work hand in hand, ECLBS’s dual accreditation model empowers institutions to align with both international benchmarks and national regulations. It is a strategic solution for schools aiming to expand globally while maintaining robust internal standards.

For further inquiries about accreditation status, eligibility, or partnership opportunities, please contact our Secretariat