Lazaridis School recognized by AACSB International for leading the way in entrepreneurial education

May 4, 2017

AACSB International (AACSB), the world’s largest global education network, has recognized Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lazaridis School of Business & Economics for its commitment to creating and incubating cutting-edge business innovations and fostering entrepreneurship in the next generation of business leaders.

The Lazaridis School is one of 35 business schools around the globe to earn this distinction.

In its inaugural year, AACSB’s Entrepreneurship Spotlight Challenge highlights AACSB-accredited schools that deliver innovative and creative best practices through a range of distinctive entrepreneurship programs, or through a variety of impactful center formats. Accredited schools were invited to submit one example of how they demonstrate a unique commitment to student learning, while providing opportunities for students to gain the skills required to be successful in business—whether it’s in a startup or within a world-renowned corporation. Central to the challenge was uncovering schools’ unique approaches to engaging the business community, expanding the reach of education beyond the classroom and positively impacting society.

“I am pleased to recognize the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics for its commitment to developing thoughtful, dynamic education experiences that instill entrepreneurship and creative thinking in its students,” said Thomas R. Robinson, president and chief executive officer of AACSB International. “Entrepreneurship is about problem solving and working to make improvements – whether on a business or society at large – and AACSB celebrates the Lazaridis School for striving to instill that same sense of responsibility in its business education curriculum.”

As part of the selection process, nominations were reviewed by a panel of corporate leaders from a variety of disciplines, including venture capital, consulting, and accounting. Core to the Collective Vision for the industry, AACSB supports the collaboration of business practice with business education. By integrating the perspectives of business professionals into the selection process, relevant impact could be identified.

A total of 120 nominations were submitted by AACSB-accredited schools across 34 countries, all of which highlighted unique approaches to fostering and developing entrepreneurship in undergraduate and graduate students.

The Lazaridis School was recognized for its submission centered on the Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation, which guarantees superior experiential learning opportunities in entrepreneurship and social innovation that prepare Laurier students to be the highest calibre business leaders and collaborators.

“The Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship and Social Innovation is one of Canada’s longest-running postsecondary organizations dedicated to entrepreneurship education for students, alumni and the community,” said Micheál Kelly, dean of the Lazaridis School of Business & Economics, which houses and operates the Schlegel Centre. “We are deeply proud of our reputation for offering innovative and immersive entrepreneurship education and for being leaders in entrepreneurship education. This recognition is a testament to our leadership in this area.”

View the selected nominations and learn more about the review panel.