What is an Accredited Academic Institution (AAI™)?
The Accredited Academic Institution (AAI™) designation, granted by the Business Development Association (BDA), recognizes universities and academic institutions committed to delivering high-quality education aligned with the BDA BoCK™ Framework. As an accredited institution, your university or college will receive official recognition from BDA enhancing your academic credibility, increasing your ability to attract students and international partners, and granting access to advanced educational resources positioning your institution at the forefront of innovation in business development education.
Benefits of AAI Accreditation
1) Global Recognition
- Earn international academic accreditation from BDA, demonstrating your commitment to quality and excellence.
2) Officially listed in the BDA Directory
- Your institution will be listed as an accredited academic entity with a dedicated profile highlighting your strengths.
3) Access to BDA BoCK™ content
- Utilize the BDA BoCK® Guide to enhance your curriculum and elevate your educational outcomes.
4) Enhanced Academic Reputation
- Boost your institutional prestige both locally and globally through collaboration with BDA and visibility on its international platforms.
5) Official Accreditation Certificate
- Receive an official AAI accreditation certificate and badge for use in formal documentation and promotional materials.
6) Collaboration & Research Opportunities
- Open the door to joint research projects and academic partnerships within BDA’s global network.
AAI Accreditation is open to academic institutions that offer business development education, including:
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Universities with undergraduate or postgraduate programs in business development.
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Colleges or academic centers that include courses in entrepreneurship, innovation, or management.
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Educational institutions integrating BDA BoCK™ competencies into their curricula.
To qualify, institutions must demonstrate alignment with BDA standards, quality curricula, qualified faculty, and academic performance transparency.
AAI™ Accreditation Evaluation Process
1) Application Submission
- Submit your application through the BDA portal, including documents such as curriculum outlines, institutional accreditation, faculty CVs, and academic outcome reports.
2) Initial Review
- BDA verifies compliance with core eligibility requirements and gives a 2-week window for completing any missing information.
3) Comprehensive Evaluation Using BDAAT
- BDA applies the BDAAT tool to assess the institution across five key dimensions:
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Alignment with BDA BoCK™ (30%)
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Curriculum Quality & Academic Content (25%)
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Faculty Qualifications (20%)
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Student Outcomes & Academic Evaluation (15%)
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Transparency & Continuous Improvement (10%) Minimum passing score: 75/100.
4) Optional Site Visit
- BDA may conduct a field visit to evaluate classrooms, labs, and library facilities.
5) Evaluation Report (BDAAT Report)
- Includes scores, strengths, areas for improvement, and recommendations. Institutions have one week to provide clarifications.
6) Accreditation Decision
- Institutions scoring 75% or more will receive the AAI certificate and official badge. Lower scores allow for a 3-month improvement period before re-evaluation.
7) Annual Follow-Up
- Accreditation must be renewed yearly by submitting an academic performance report and paying the renewal fee.
Evaluation Model – BDAAT
The Business Development Accreditation Assessment Tool (BDAAT) is BDA’s official digital evaluation framework for institutions applying for AAI accreditation. It ensures a transparent, objective, and consistent process aligned with BDA BoCK® standards.
Key Evaluation Dimensions:
1) Alignment with BDA BoCK™ (30%)
- Evaluates how well core BDA BoCK™ competencies are embedded in the academic programs (e.g., strategic leadership, innovation, market analysis).
2) Curriculum Quality & Academic Content (25%)
- Assesses the comprehensiveness and modernity of the academic content in relation to market needs.
3) Faculty Qualifications (20%)
- Analyzes faculty credentials, industry experience, and academic contributions to business development.
4) Student Outcomes & Evaluation (15%)
- Measures graduate employment rates, published research, and practical student projects.
5) Transparency & Continuous Improvement (10%)
- Verifies institutional governance, policy clarity, and ongoing program development efforts.
Evaluation Table
Criteria | Criteria | Indicators | Score % |
|---|---|---|---|
Alignment with BDA BoCK™ | 30% | Integration of BDA BoCK™ competencies into curriculum | –
|
Curriculum Quality | 25% | Comprehensiveness and regular updates | –
|
Faculty Qualifications | 20% | Academic credentials and industry experience | –
|
Student Outcomes & Evaluation | 15% | Graduate employability, research, academic achievements | – |
Transparency & Improvement | 10% | Governance and policy transparency | – |
Total Score | 100% | Minimum required: 75/100 | – |
Sample Evaluation Outcome
An institution that integrates 85% of BDA BoCK™ competencies (26/30), offers well-updated programs (22/25), employs faculty with strong credentials (18/20), demonstrates high student success (13/15), and has robust improvement policies (9/10), achieves a final score of:
Total Score: 85/100 – Accreditation Granted.
AAI Accreditation Fees
Accreditation fees are designed Accredited Academic Institute - AAI™ Accreditation fees for the Accredited Academic Institute (AAI) are structured to cover all stages of evaluation, certificate issuance, and ongoing support for accredited entities. Fees also include access to the official badge for use in marketing materials and training certificates.
fees table
Fee Type | Amount (EUR) |
|---|---|
Initial Accreditation Fee | €3,000
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Annual Renewal Fee | €1,000 |
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Academic document review
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Use of the BDAAT tool
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Official accreditation certificate
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AAI badge for branding and documentation
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Listing in BDA's Accredited Institutions Directory
Note:
Annual renewal fees are required to maintain active accreditation status, along with submission of a performance report confirming continued alignment with the BDA BoCK™ framework.
What is AAI Accreditation?
هو اعتماد مخصص للمؤسسات التعليمية التي تقدم برامج تعليمية متوافقة مع إطار BDA BoCK® في تطوير الأعمال.
Who is eligible to apply?
Universities, colleges, and institutions with business-related academic programs and a commitment to excellence.
How long does the evaluation process take?
Usually between 2 to 4 weeks after submitting all required documentation.
What is the cost of accreditation?
Initial fee: €3,000. Renewal fee: €1,000 per year.
Is the accreditation renewed annually?
Yes, institutions must submit a performance report and pay the annual fee to maintain their accredited status.
Other Accreditations
Accredited Academic Institution - AAI™
Official accreditation by BDA for leading academic institutions in business development
Accredited Consulting Firm - ACF™
Official accreditation by BDA for the leading consulting firms in business development
Accredited Government Entity - AGE™
Official accreditation by BDA for government entities driving economic development
Accredited Non-Profit Organization - ANPO™
Official accreditation by BDA for nonprofit organizations empowering communities and businesses