Malta Today
OUS Royal Academy of Economics and Technology in Switzerland celebrates its third year of success
OUS Royal Academy of Economics and Technology in Switzerland is one of the youngest private universities in Switzerland
October 2016, 12:27pm
OUS Royal Academy of Economics and Technology in Switzerland® www.ous.edu.eu is one of the youngest private universities in Switzerland. This year, OUS is celebrating its 3rd year of success with more than 1200 students, 110 staff and over 200.000 fans and followers on social media.
OUS director Dr. Habib Al Souleiman, who holds a State Master Degree from Zurich, Switzerland in Business and a State Bachelor Degree in Management from Manchester UK, talks about their success.
OUS Switzerland
Three years ago the idea went live for the first time in Switzerland, virtual education for international students. Before OUS I worked for many well-known schools in Switzerland but we had always the difficulty to deliver high quality education for those students who are unable to come to Switzerland for different reasons. Therefore we decided to create the first virtual university in Switzerland. The idea was complicated for a few people, however we were able to convince most people that this is the future for education.
A young school that has more followers and fans than any state or private universities in Switzerland
We were surprised that the number at OUS is increasing each week, with students inviting friends who see that our study fee is fair (Switzerland is the most expensive country in the world). We were actually surprised that many credible, reliable and well-known media like the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation invited us for an interview about our idea after less than two years from the start, and even some TV channels now are visiting us this year.
Accreditations
As a young private and independent University we have achieved the maximum that we can.
We work with a few European state universities and awarding bodies in case students want a dual award.
ASIC, ECBE, ENQA, CHEA accreditations
OUS is a “Premier Accredited” by the European renowned accreditation body ASIC Accreditation Service for International Colleges & Universities which is one of the leading accreditations in Europe and on the list of British Government approved accreditation bodies.
OUS business study programs are accredited by another European renowned accreditation which is the European Council for Business Education ECBE.
Both accreditations are listed on ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education) and CHEA (USA Council for Higher Education Accreditation).
Our list of certifications
ISO 29990:2010 Certified (Learning services for non-formal education and training)
ISO 9001:2008 Certified – (International Organization for Standardization, Quality management)
(ASIQUAL) – Academic and Skills International Qualifications
Educational Memberships:
United Nations – UN PRME Member, launched at the 2007 UN Global Compact Leaders Summit in Geneva.
Swiss National Tourist Office (MySwitzerland)
(ICDE) International Council for Open and Distance Education – (ICDE is Supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research)
(EFQM) – European Foundation for Quality Management,
(AACSB International) – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
(ACBSP) – The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs,
(ECBE) – European Council for Business Education
(USDLA) – United States Distance Learning Association
(EAIE) – European Association for International Education
(EMA) – European Medical Association
(ECLBS) – European Council for Leading Business Schools,
(EUCDL) – European Council for Distance Learning,
(AHLA) – American Hotel & Lodging Association,
(CHRIE) – International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education,
(BHA) – British Hospitality Association
Candidacy
We have signed contract with four Swiss recognized bodies, we hope to achieve one of them before end 2017, and although we cannot say the names of all four bodies, two of them are already published on our website: FIBAA (Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation) which is a recognized body by the Federal Ministry of Economic Affairs, Education and Research in Switzerland; and EVALAG (Evaluation Agency Baden-Württemberg) which is on the list of recognized bodies by the Swiss Accreditation council.
OUS in five years’ time…
We have already plans until end 2022, we know in 5 years OUS will grow more and more with the support of our students and staff.