Wittenborg Annual Teachers’ Meeting 2025: New Developments, Accreditation and Global Expansion
Agenda includes AACSB Accreditation, global expansion and AoL updates
On 5 February, Wittenborg hosted its Annual Teachers’ Meeting, gathering faculty members both in person at Brinklaan and virtually. The event provided a comprehensive update on key institutional developments, accreditation progress, and plans for global expansion, all reinforcing Wittenborg’s commitment to excellence in education and innovation.
The meeting opened with a welcome from Head of the School of Business Rauf Abdul, who introduced new faculty members. This was followed by an address from Wittenborg President Peter Birdsall, who shared exciting updates regarding the school’s future. Birdsall outlined the upcoming launch of the first-year bachelor’s curriculum in collaboration with Cambridge Education Group (known as OnCampus). This new curriculum will be offered at a Triple Crown accredited business school at the University of Amsterdam starting in September 2025. With an expected intake of around 250 students, the school will operate from two locations in Amsterdam, marking a significant expansion.
AACSB Accreditation
A major focus of the meeting was the school’s progress toward AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) Accreditation, which Birdsall described as a stamp of excellence that places Wittenborg among the top business schools worldwide.
"But we can now prepare our self-assessment report, which will be submitted in April, and a panel will visit us in September," Birdsall noted. "This is a really important milestone. AACSB accreditation is more than just a badge — it's a mark of excellence that signals to students, employers, and academic partners that we meet the highest standards in applied research."
Wittenborg rector Ron Tuninga further elaborated on the process and its significant implications for the institution. He emphasised that the accreditation would help the school remain competitive globally while also enhancing the quality of education delivered. "Once we check in, AACSB will be with us forever," Tuninga remarked, referring to the continuous improvement process that follows accreditation. "It’s a recognition of the value that you give to your students."
Tuninga highlighted the practical benefits of AACSB accreditation, noting that an accredited degree can ease graduates' job prospects, particularly in countries where Wittenborg has fewer established connections. “This accreditation strengthens our reputation, opens doors for research partnerships and funding, and positions Wittenborg as a leader in business education, not just in the Netherlands, but globally,” Tuninga added.
Birdsall also emphasised the numerous other benefits of achieving AACSB accreditation, including:
- Global recognition for the school’s academic work
- Opportunities for collaboration and industry partnerships
- A push to innovate in curriculum and assessment to ensure graduates are well-prepared for the modern business world
Additionally, Tuninga discussed Wittenborg’s commitment to societal impact through research and teaching. "What is the next step? How can we deliver on societal impact?" he asked, urging the faculty to think about the broader implications of their work.
Tuninga also shared details about an upcoming roundtable conference in May, which will bring together representatives from 10 countries to discuss business practices in research and education. "It’s helping us put a foothold in the conversation on quality of education and business practice," Tuninga said.
Globalisation Conference and SDG Integration
Another exciting announcement came from Birdsall regarding the Globalisation Conference. Held in the summer of 2024, it was decided that the next conference would be integrated into Wittenborg’s Project Week in October 2025, with the main event happening in November. This shift aims to allow more student and faculty involvement by avoiding the summer break when many are away.
"We want to have much bigger involvement from students and faculty. We’re moving the conference to October so that we can divide it into two parts — one focused on the conference and the other on student and faculty presentations, including research work," said Birdsall.
He also discussed the importance of post-presentation feedback, with an emphasis on improving poster presentation skills during the workshops, and the focus on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the school’s research. This year’s theme is Quality of Education (SDG #4), which will be embedded throughout the curriculum informally. Birdsall encouraged faculty to consider how SDG #4 can be incorporated into their teaching, ensuring that the focus on quality education aligns with both the school’s goals and the global agenda.
“The great thing is that the theme of Quality of Education was chosen by you before anyone knew about the AACSB panel coming, so it’s remarkable how well this has aligned,” Birdsall reflected.
Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Grant
In addition to the exciting academic developments, Birdsall relayed a message from the Research Centre, announcing important details about the Erasmus+ Staff Mobility Grant. This grant allows Wittenborg staff to teach or train at partner institutions across Europe, offering a unique opportunity for international professional development.
Assurance of Learning (AoL)
Kriszta Kaspers-Rostás, Head of Education Development and Quality Management, shared insights into Assurance of Learning (AoL), focusing on curriculum design, pedagogy, and ensuring students gain both academic and practical skills. She stressed AoL as an ongoing process, explaining, “It’s not just about assessing students; it’s about improving how we teach and prepare them for real-world challenges.”
She highlighted the need for faculty collaboration, saying, “Faculty involvement is crucial for aligning academic goals with industry needs.” She also emphasised the importance of balancing theory and practical skills, noting, “Students must be ready to apply what they learn in real-world situations.”
The department further shared plans for an upcoming AoL workshop aimed at refining teaching and assessment practices to keep programmes relevant and evolving.
Roundtable discussions
As part of the meeting’s tradition, faculty members took part in roundtable discussions on topics including AACSB standards, AoL and its role in improving teaching and student performance, and research impact strategies to integrate research into the curriculum and strengthen industry collaborations.
WUP 11/02/2025
by Erene Roux
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