AMBA & BGA Accreditation Forum 2023
30-31 October 2023
This year’s AMBA & BGA Accreditation Forum will take place from Monday 30 October to Tuesday 31 October 2023, hosted by Queen’s Business School at Queen’s University Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK.
The forum is specifically designed to help accreditation professionals at business schools that are applying for AMBA and/or BGA accreditation or re-accreditation.
Forum themes and programme
Our keynote speakers will share insights into the various aspects of AMBA and/or BGA accreditation or re-accreditation including:
- The accreditation process structure
- What it takes to make an accreditation submission successful
- Best practices of successful schools
- Typical challenges business schools face – and proposed solutions
- Marketing and communicating your accreditation to key audiences
- AMBA accreditation in the context of the 300 schools limit
- AMBA & BGA joint accreditation
- BGA accreditation and BGA validation
- Update on AMBA’s revised MBA accreditation criteria.
This year’s programme is now available and includes session information, timings and an outline of the overall structure of the forum. Please note that the contents of the programme are subject to change before the event begins on October 30.
14.00 – 14.30 | Registration and networking |
14.30 – 14.45 | Welcome and introduction Speaker Andrew Main Wilson, CEO, AMBA & BGA |
14.45 – 15.45 | Session 1: AMBA accreditation process This session will give you an overview of the AMBA accreditation processes both as a new applicant or a business school seeking re-accreditation including costs, timescales, and logistics. |
15.45 – 16.30 | Session 2: MBA trends and beyond accreditation Discover the latest original research from AMBA & BGA on global trends in postgraduate management education. Amongst an overview of the newest research from the department and a sneak peak into soon-to-be released research on the metaverse and student expectations, we will do a deep dive into AMBA’s annual Application and Enrolment Report – a requirement of all AMBA schools. In this session, also find out about the Beyond Accreditation experience, including how schools can make the most of promoting their hard earned accreditation. Speakers Leonora Clement, Head of Marketing and Communications, AMBA & BGA Ellen Buchan, Insight, Content & PR Manager, AMBA & BGA |
16.30 – 17.15 | Networking and refreshment break |
17.15 – 18.00 | Session 3: AMBA & BGA joint accreditation This session will run through the joint accreditation process for Business Schools seeking both AMBA and BGA accreditation. Speaker Joe Pilkington, Senior Accreditation Manager, AMBA & BGA |
18.30 – 22.30 (including travel time) | Networking dinner Titanic Hotel Belfast |
09.30 – 10.30 | Session 4: Managing multiple accreditations – Panel Discussion Learn from experts from business schools with multiple accreditations, how they successfully manage visits across a range of accreditation providers. Chair Han G. Van Dissel, Dean emeritus, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Amsterdam Speakers Alan Hanna, Director of Accreditation, Queen’s Business School Antonella Patras, Vice Dean, Quality and Accreditation, International University of Monaco Ramon Noguera, Academic Director, EADA Business School |
10.30 – 11.30 | Session 5: BGA accreditation process Learn about the BGA accreditation process as a standalone experience, how to apply, why BGA accreditation is important for your school and how to make the most of the experience. Speaker Mark Stoddard, Director of Accreditation & Director of BGA Services, AMBA & BGA |
11.30 – 12.00 | Networking and refreshment break |
12.00 – 13.00 | Session 6: New school accreditation journeys for both AMBA & BGA Deans will share their experience as a new school applying for AMBA/BGA accreditation for the first time.Speakers Stephen David Bach, Executive Dean, King’s Business School Atanas Georgiev, Dean, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski” |
13.00 – 14.00 | Networking lunch |
Forum speakers
The forum will be led by a team of expert accreditors and guest speakers who will share their knowledge and insights over the course of the event. Below you can learn more about our Accreditation Forum speakers ahead of the conference in October.
Host school: Queen’s Business School
Queen’s Business School at Queen’s University Belfast offers world-class undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education across six core academic departments and one institute: the Departments of Accounting; Economics; Finance; International Business, Entrepreneurship, and Marketing; Information Technology, Analytics, and Operations; Organisation, Work, and Leadership; and the Clinton Leadership Institute.
Queen’s University Belfast is a member of the Russell Group, and the school is a globally renowned centre for high-impact academic and policy research with close links to industry. In the UK’s 2021 Research Excellence Framework, 81 per cent of the school’s research was deemed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.
Accredited by EQUIS, AMBA and the Small Business Charter, the school has served as a PRME Champion institution since 2020. As a member of the Global Business School Network, the school is also connected through strategic partnerships across the world.
In 2023, Queen’s Business School was ranked number 1 in the UK for Graduate Prospects for Accounting and Finance (Times Good University Guide).
Networking opportunities
Titanic Hotel Belfast
The Titanic Quarter, 8 Queens Rd, Belfast BT3 9DT
As a part of your conference experience, delegates will enjoy a networking dinner on the evening of Monday 30 October at the Titanic Hotel Belfast.
Situated in the maritime landmarks of the Titanic Quarter, this iconic location provides the perfect backdrop for delegates to reflect and discuss the talking-points and insights gained from the first day of the conference.
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Recommended accommodation: Radisson Blu Belfast
Located in the rejuvenated Gasworks business area, the Radisson Blu Belfast provides a unique riverside stay for those attending this year’s Accreditation Forum. With Belfast city centre within walking distance from the hotel, guests can find transport links to Queen’s University Belfast as well as local landmarks and attraction such as the Titanic Belfast and the Botanic Gardens.
AMBA & BGA has negotiated preferential room rates for all our forum delegates at the Radisson Blu Belfast. For more information and to book your stay, please contact Anita Galea.
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Have a question or want to get in touch?
If you have any questions or need assistance with booking, please contact the AMBA & BGA Events Team.
Learn more about the benefits of AMBA, BGA or even joint accreditation by clicking below.
