AUB Mediterraneo’s Faculty of Business Becomes First Business School in Cyprus to Earn EQUIS Accreditation
Paphos, Cyprus – May 28, 2026: The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) announced that its Faculty of Business has earned EQUIS (EFMD Quality Improvement System) accreditation from EFMD, becoming the first business school in Cyprus to receive this internationally recognized accreditation for business and management education.
The achievement comes as part of the American University of Beirut’s (AUB) wider EQUIS accreditation, which also includes the Suliman S. Olayan School of Business in Beirut. This milestone makes AUB the first institution in Lebanon and Cyprus to earn EQUIS accreditation in this field and places AUB Mediterraneo’s Faculty of Business among an internationally recognized network of business schools committed to the highest standards of academic quality and continuous improvement.
Together with AACSB accreditation, this achievement further strengthens AUB Mediterraneo’s position within a globally recognized framework of business education excellence and reinforces its commitment to bridging internationally recognized US and European standards in higher education quality and academic rigor. EQUIS accreditation follows a rigorous peer-review process that evaluates business schools across governance, programs, faculty, research, student experience, international perspective, corporate engagement, ethics, responsibility, sustainability, and quality improvement. Less than 2% of business schools worldwide hold EQUIS accreditation.
The recognition affirms that AUB meets international standards while remaining grounded in its institutional mission and regional context. For AUB Mediterraneo, the accreditation further reinforces the Faculty of Business’s commitment to delivering globally recognized, high-quality business education in Cyprus through an international, interdisciplinary, and future-oriented learning environment. It also reflects the university’s broader academic positioning as a higher education institution whose programs are recognized both by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) in the United States and by the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation in Higher Education (CYQAA) in Europe.
“This accreditation is a milestone not only for AUB Mediterraneo, but also for Cyprus. For our students, faculty, and partners, it confirms that our journey is already connected to a globally recognized European standard of excellence,” said Dr. Alain Daou, dean of the Faculty of Business at AUB Mediterraneo. “This recognition affirms that what we are building in Pafos is anchored in our commitment to preparing graduates with not only strong business knowledge, but also the critical thinking, adaptability and mindset needed to navigate a rapidly evolving global business environment.”
Dr. Wassim El Hajj, rector of AUB Mediterraneo, noted that the achievement represents an important milestone not only for the university, but also for the higher education landscape in Cyprus. “Becoming the first business school in Cyprus to earn EQUIS accreditation reflects the strength of AUB Mediterraneo’s academic vision and the quality standards we are committed to delivering locally as a twin campus of the American University of Beirut. This milestone further strengthens Cyprus’s position as an emerging regional hub for internationally recognized higher education and reinforces our commitment to providing students with a globally relevant educational experience rooted in academic excellence, innovation, and societal impact.”
The accreditation strengthens AUB Mediterraneo’s international visibility, supports deeper academic and corporate partnerships, and signals to students, employers, and partners that its business programs meet globally recognized standards of excellence. As the twin campus of the American University of Beirut in Pafos, Cyprus, AUB Mediterraneo continues to expand its role as a regional center for high-quality education, interdisciplinary learning, innovation, and research across the Mediterranean and beyond.
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About the American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo
The American University of Beirut – Mediterraneo (AUB Mediterraneo) in Pafos, Cyprus, is approved by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) as a branch campus of the American University of Beirut (AUB) in Beirut, Lebanon. AUB operates under a charter granted by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) which registers the university’s degree programs. All departments and programs at AUB Mediterraneo are accredited in Europe and Cyprus through the Cyprus Agency of Quality Assurance and Accreditation of Higher Education (CYQAA) and recognized globally.
