29 June 2015
Dr Jacob Chacko's appointment raises COBA's international prestige after earning AACSB accreditation

UAE - In a further boost to the university's international credentials, the Dean of Abu Dhabi University's College of Business Administration, Dr Jacob Chacko, has been appointed to the Initial Accreditation Committee of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). The 100-year old association is the global accrediting body for business schools, and the appointment follows on the heels of the AACSB's recent accreditation of all the College's programs in February 2015 -- a rare distinction that is enjoyed by less than 5% of the world's business schools.

Dr Chacko's appointment is recognition for 16 years of service to the AACSB, and as a member of the Initial Accreditation Committeehe will play a pivotal role in reviewing institutions' self-evaluation reports. He will also offer insights on peer review reports weighing the merits of business schools worldwide that are vying for final accreditation.

Congratulating Dr Chacko on his appointment, Chairman of the ADU Executive Board, His Excellency Ali Saeed Bin Harmal Al Dhaheri commented: "We are immensely proud and honored to congratulate one of our veteran academics, Dr Jacob Chacko, who has been rewarded for over a decade and a half of distinguished service for the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Combined with the College of Business Administration's international accreditation, these milestones will inspire our students and educators to make their mark on the world stage."

On a regional level, Dr Chacko has been appointed as a member of the AACSB-MENA Advisory Council for three years, where he will contribute recommendations and reviews of AACSB activities across the Middle East and North Africa.

Elaborating on the significance of his appointment, Dr Jacob Chacko explained: "Thisis not just a personal honor, but a shared triumph for the College of Business Administration and Abu Dhabi University. We are significantly elevating our regional and global status, considering that the AACSB has about 1,000 member schools in the MENA region alone. I feel tremendously privileged to be entrusted with the role of helping to enrich the AACSB's regional initiatives, and I will both gain and share insights with internationally respected academics at the very highest level." 

The appointment is only the latest in a string of international recognitions for ADU, which includethe College of Engineering receiving accreditation from theEngineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET for three Engineering programs.

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About Abu Dhabi University (ADU)
Since its inception in 2000, under the patronage of HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler's Representative in the Western Region and President of Abu Dhabi University's Board of Regents, Abu Dhabi University has become one of the region's leading centers of academic excellence. Its vibrant and cosmopolitan student population represents more than 63 nationalities. Through its globally competitive curriculum, ADU formulates highly unique degree programs that maximize graduates' chances of employment. It strives to become one of the world's elite institutions of world-class education and applied research. In addition to a dynamic range of extracurricular activities, ADU also instills a strong spirit of social responsibility in its students so that graduates can help to transform not only their industries; but also their communities and above all, their world.

Abu Dhabi University is licensed by the Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research, with all its undergraduate and postgraduate programs accredited. ADU was also the first university to receive the Sheikh Khalifa Excellence Award in 2010. Dedicated to achieving excellence on all academic and organizational levels, today ADU is one of only six universities in the UAE to enter the ranks of the world's top 700 universities in Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) world university rankings of 2014 - 2015.

Additionally, for its support and patronage of entrepreneurship, Abu Dhabi University was also awarded the "Best Supporting University for Entrepreneurship" in the UAE and the Arab World during the Mohammed Bin Rashid Award for Young Business Leaders in its 8th cycle. The College of Engineering also received international accreditation from the world-renowned Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) of ABET for three of its engineering programs.

For media/press inquiries about Abu Dhabi University please contact:

Omnia Hassan
Public Relations & Media Officer
PO Box: 59911, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Direct: +971 (0)2 501 5624
Mobile: +971 (0)50 220 5281  
Email: Omnia.hassan@adu.ac.ae
Web: www.adu.ac.ae

© Press Release 2015