The Department of Management at Ca' Foscari University of Venice has been awarded the prestigious international EQUIS accreditation, issued by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD). This certifies the excellence of the Department, now known internationally as Venice School of Management (VSM).
The EQUIS certification - issued to only 1% of the Business Schools in the world engaged in training and development of management studies - thus places VSM on a par with 215 accredited institutes in the world. The parameters considered include: internationalisation, quality of teaching and innovative academic programmes, training opportunities for students, excellence in research, deep and solid synergy with local businesses, and the international network of the School and of the Alumni.
Venice School of Management joins the group of five Italian business schools already accredited by EQUIS, becoming the second public department in Italy to obtain this recognition.
EQUIS is the most comprehensive accreditation system for business schools at a global level. Based on a rigorous review process, it audits the quality of business and management schools by verifying high standards in areas such as internationalisation, composition of faculty and students, structure of the academic programmes, good practices in sustainability and inclusion. The School's growth strategy and its ability to attract students, academics and professionals from all over the world was also positively assessed.
VSM's accreditation process lasted more than three years, and required a profound transformation to bring the Department up to the required standards of excellence. This transformation was made possible by intense and efficient teamwork, and it culminated in the audit visit which took place this year in September. The audit ascertained VSM’s top level in the study environment, the portfolio of courses and research activities, and in the relations with the local community.
Ca' Foscari’s Rector, Tiziana Lippiello, remarks:"This important milestone reinforces Ca' Foscari’s tradition in management and business studies, recognising our university’s high quality and innovation standards, equal to those of the best international Business Schools. This label spurs our University to pursue further international growth, and to facilitate even more the exchange and mobility opportunities for our students. It will increase our attractiveness for faculty, and our opportunities in research cooperation. This result bears witness to the quality of our education and our ability to create innovation and connections with the territory on a par with the most important universities in the world. This should make us proud and confident of our potential and of the quality of the Italian university system".
Anna Comacchio, Director of VSM, adds: "We are proud to have reached such a prestigious milestone, and to be part of a community of business schools at the highest level. EQUIS reinforces our international disposition: our educational programme offers a variety of courses in English and several joint degrees, and over a third of our students are international, from all over the world. The accreditation acknowledges the quality of our research centres and laboratories, where - partnering with the national and international academic community - new knowledge and projects are constantly developed. We work closely with the local community too, around key issues for the future of business. With our campus in the heart of Venice, this unique city balanced between the past and the future, we are a bridge connecting different ideas, people and disciplines for a sustainable and inclusive progress."
EQUIS accreditation places Venice School of Management in the international circuit of the world's top business schools. This important recognition will allow VSM to attract the best talents from all over the world, brilliant and innovative minds, and to strengthen its partnerships with top schools and important national and international companies, thus multiplying training and research opportunities.
"Being part of EQUIS," concludes Prof. Francesco Rullani, project leader of the accreditation process, "will foster the Venice School of Management’s growth in all fields of action, strengthening its international network and thus facilitating projects. We can play a major role in the debate on the key role Schools of Management should have in our societies: promoting a hybrid vision of progress which combines economic development with social impact and environmental awareness."
