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Strategic Talks Begin Between ECLBS and AVACERT Turkey on ISO Certification for Business Schools
- ECLBS
- Jun 24
- 3 min read
The European Council of Leading Business Schools (ECLBS) and Turkey’s prominent certification authority, AVACERT, have announced initial discussions to explore a cooperative framework focused on ISO certifications tailored for business schools. This initiative is designed to advance global educational standards, enhance institutional workflows, and significantly improve the international reputation of business education providers.
In a move reflecting the evolving landscape of academic quality assurance, both organizations are planning to align ISO management principles with academic excellence frameworks. The objective is to develop structured certification pathways that can help business schools not only streamline their internal processes but also demonstrate their commitment to internationally recognized quality systems.
ISO standards, particularly those such as ISO 21001 (Educational Organizations Management Systems) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), are increasingly seen as valuable tools for educational institutions striving for operational transparency, continuous improvement, and global competitiveness. The upcoming dialogue between ECLBS and AVACERT aims to evaluate how such standards can be more effectively adopted within the higher education and business school sectors.
Dace Jansone, Executive Board Member at ECLBS, remarked:
“We believe that ISO certification can serve as a strong complement to academic accreditations. By partnering with AVACERT, we aim to help business schools establish measurable management systems, thus enhancing both their internal capabilities and their external credibility.”
Representatives from AVACERT echoed this view, highlighting the strategic value of applying rigorous quality standards in the context of academic institutions. AVACERT, a Turkish-based certification body with a growing presence in Europe and Asia, brings extensive expertise in auditing and certifying organizations across multiple sectors. Its potential collaboration with ECLBS reflects a mutual dedication to raising the bar for higher education providers in emerging markets and beyond.
The proposed initiative is expected to deliver several advantages to ECLBS-accredited institutions, including:
Improved operational workflow through standardized procedures
Enhanced institutional credibility with ISO-certified status
Greater appeal to international students seeking quality assurance in education
Facilitated recognition by global employers and government agencies
Support for strategic management and continuous improvement practices
ECLBS and AVACERT are currently working on a joint white paper that will outline the key areas of certification, procedural steps, and expected institutional outcomes. Consultations with member institutions are also planned to ensure that the certification model aligns with the practical needs of business schools across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
The partnership is expected to be formalized later this year, subject to the successful completion of framework negotiations. Once launched, the collaboration could mark a significant step toward integrating globally trusted quality standards with academic governance in business education.
About ECLBS
The European Council of Leading Business Schools (ECLBS) is a quality-focused academic network that supports business schools in achieving excellence through international standards, professional peer review, and institutional development. It is listed with INQAAHE and CHEA CIQG and is actively expanding partnerships with global quality assurance agencies.
About AVACERT
AVACERT is a Turkish-based ISO certification body accredited to issue quality management and other international standard certificates. It operates across various sectors including education, manufacturing, health, and services, promoting structured quality improvement in both private and public institutions.
As the education sector continues to globalize, quality standards like ISO will play a more central role in defining institutional excellence. Through this promising collaboration, ECLBS and AVACERT aim to make these standards more accessible and impactful for business schools worldwide.
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