Knowledge from the University of Zagreb at the Level of the World Educational Elite

As the only member of the accreditation team for world universities from Croatia, Prof. Dr. Sanja Sever Mališ, Dean of the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb (EFZG), believes that EFZG certainly justifies its place among the best business schools in the world. EFZG is placed among the world elite by the ‘triple crown’, namely the three global excellence labels for business schools: AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System), and AMBA (Association of MBAs). Sever Mališ also believes that her position on the accreditation team opens additional doors for EFZG and Croatian professors and experts on the international higher education stage.

What does your membership in the accreditation team enable EFZG and Croatia?

– Membership in the accreditation team that evaluates leading global business schools is a great professional honor for me, but also a very concrete responsibility. It is about processes in which the quality of institutions tasked with shaping the future leaders of the global economy is assessed in great detail. This is recognition for the individual, but also for the system from which one comes. On a personal level, this engagement constantly exposes me to the highest international standards in higher education. You have the opportunity to see from the inside how institutions that have built their reputation for decades, even centuries, function, how they respond to digitalization, artificial intelligence, changes in the labor market, and student expectations. Such experiences do not leave you indifferent; they compel you to reconsider your own practices and raise your criteria. As a dean, it is particularly important for me to have direct insight into what it means today in practice to be a relevant business school. It is not just about formal accreditation criteria, but about understanding the competencies that employers truly seek, about the ways knowledge is transferred, and about preparing students for work in international, multicultural environments. For the Republic of Croatia, this breakthrough has both a symbolic and a concrete dimension. Symbolically, it shows how knowledge and expertise from our homeland can be recognized and valued at the highest international level, and concretely, it opens up space for stronger international visibility of our institutions, for collaborations that may not have been available before, and for strengthening trust in Croatian higher education.

Is this also a message to the University of Zagreb?

– Yes. And it is a very clear message. International recognition does not come by itself and cannot be achieved through administrative means. It is the result of long-term, systematic work, a clear strategy, and a willingness to change. The University of Zagreb has a long and respectable tradition, but in today’s global academic environment, tradition alone is no longer sufficient. It is necessary to constantly compare oneself with the best, learn from them, and be ready to introduce new working models. Membership in international accreditation teams shows how knowledge and experience from the University of Zagreb can be equitably measured against the world educational elite. It is also an encouragement for other components to think more strongly about internationalization and not to fear high standards, as they are precisely what brings credibility in the long term.

What was key to your entry into the accreditation team? How have you helped other Croatian experts?

– Entry into the accreditation team is not the result of a single project or one year of work. It is a long-term process in which professional credibility is built through leading an institution, international collaboration, understanding quality standards, and, importantly, consistency in their application. Accreditation organizations are extremely rigorous in selecting people who perform evaluations. They seek individuals with management and strategic planning experience, but also with a deep understanding of the academic and business world. Integrity and independence in decision-making are equally important. I believe that this breakthrough has a broader effect. Once it is shown that experts from Croatia can successfully perform such demanding international roles, perceptions change. This opens up space for other Croatian professors, researchers, and experts to be involved in similar processes.

What opportunities are opening up for EFZG?

– Such a position allows direct access to trends that will only become standard in a few years. You see firsthand how curricula are changing, how the role of professors is being redefined, and which skills are considered key for future managers, economists, and entrepreneurs. For the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb, this means the possibility of introducing changes proactively, based on real insights rather than assumptions. It also opens up space for strategic partnerships with leading schools, joint programs, exchanges of professors and students, and stronger connections with international business communities. This role is fully aligned with our strategic goal: for our faculty to be recognized not only as a regional leader but also in the world.

How do you decide which faculty to grant accreditation?

– Accreditation is never just a technical process. It is a deep evaluation of the institution’s identity. Strategies, quality of teaching and research, resource management, and the relationship with students, employees, and society as a whole are assessed. Top institutions have a clearly defined mission and know how to implement it in practice. They constantly invest in the development of people, encourage innovation, and are willing to acknowledge their own weaknesses in order to improve them. This ability for self-reflection is often the key difference.

What distinguishes top faculties from average ones? Has anything particularly surprised you?

– The difference is most often seen in the culture of the institution. Average faculties meet minimal standards, while top ones constantly question and push them. They do not ask what they must do, but what they can do better. Particularly surprising are faculties with a long tradition that are simultaneously extremely agile and open to change. They are willing to change teaching methods, introduce interdisciplinary programs, and strongly connect with practice without fear of losing their own identity.

How do you apply global standards, methods, and skills at EFZG, and how are they accepted?

– At the Faculty of Economics at the University of Zagreb, we do not transfer global standards mechanically. We adapt them to our context and needs. The emphasis is on learning outcomes, development of competencies, strengthening the international dimension of studies, and stronger collaboration with the economy. Changes always bring certain resistance, which is natural in any large institution. Honestly, I would be worried if there were none. However, support grows when it is clearly articulated why changes are being introduced and when results are visible in student employability, international collaborations, and the reputation of the faculty.

Can you compare EFZG with other world business schools?

– The Faculty of Economics in Zagreb can now be equitably compared with many prestigious European business schools. We have a strong academic base, motivated students and professors, and we are very well connected with the business community. Our special strength lies in combining expertise, flexibility, and a human approach. This combination gives me confidence that EFZG has a very clear and ambitious future in the global academic space.

*Content created in collaboration with the Faculty of Economics – Zagreb.