
By Dr. Vlad Krotov
In today’s increasingly global economy and competitive education market, business schools from around the world must keep abreast with international best practices and incorporate regional nuances into their curriculum and operations in order to remain competitive. Within the Asia-Pacific region, one organization plays a pivotal role in advancing the quality, relevance, and global connectivity of business schools: The Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools (AAPBS). In this article, we provide a brief overview of AAPBS and discuss how this organization relates to international accreditation agencies for business schools, such as AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA-BGA.
What is AAPBS?
Founded in 2004, the Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools (AAPBS) is a collaborative network of business schools dedicated to enhancing the quality of business and management education throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Unlike traditional accreditation bodies such as AACSB, AAPBS primarily serves as a platform for networking, knowledge-sharing, and regional development, rather than formal accreditation.
Mission and Vision
The mission of AAPBS is to “..provide leadership and representation to advance the quality of business and management education in the Asia-Pacific region.” This vision reflects a strong commitment to cultural diversity, regional relevance, and the development of future business leaders who are equipped to thrive in Asia’s complex and dynamic economies and internationally.
Who Are the Members?
AAPBS membership includes over 100 business schools and academic institutions across Asia, Oceania, and the Pacific Rim, including:
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- Deakin University (Australia)
- National University of Singapore Business School (Singapore)
- Hong Kong University Business School (China)
- Seoul National University Business School (South Korea)
- Kyoto University (Japan)
- University of Auckland (New Zealand)
It should be noted that members of AAPBS range from top-tier institutions to emerging schools that are eager to enhance their international profile.
What Does AAPBS Do?
Similarly to international accreditation agencies (e.g., AACSB, EQUIS, BGA) AAPBS provides its members with the following value propositions:
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- Academic Collaboration: AAPBS provides a platform for facilitating research partnerships, faculty exchanges, joint academic programs, and collaborative development of teaching cases rooted in the Asian context.
- Conferences and Forums: AAPBS hosts annual academic conferences and deans’ meetings; it also organizes workshops on emerging topics such as AI in education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable business practices.
- Leadership Development: AAPBS supports initiatives that develop next-generation academic leaders in Asia and provides opportunities for deans, directors, and faculty to build strategic leadership skills.
- Benchmarking and Best Practices: AAPBS provides a platform for sharing institutional case studies, curriculum models, and strategies for accreditation among its members; it also offers insights regional challenges in business education such as demographic shifts, digital transformation, and internationalization
How AAPBS Differs from Accreditation Bodies
It’s important to note that AAPBS is not an accrediting agency. Business schools in Asia often pair AAPBS membership with international accreditations such as:
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- AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)
- EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System)
- AMBA-BGA (Association of MBAs – Business Graduates Association)
These international business accreditations help schools demonstrate global standards, while AAPBS provides the regional context, networks, and knowledge base to thrive in Asia’s unique educational landscape.
Final Thoughts
As the Asia-Pacific region continues to rise in global influence, AAPBS plays a crucial role in shaping the future of business education. By fostering a strong, regionally rooted yet globally connected network, AAPBS empowers institutions to develop leaders who can drive sustainable and inclusive growth in the 21st century. It also offers a strong foundation for pursuing alignment with international accreditation standards published by such international accreditation agencies as AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA-BGA, etc.