We are delighted to announce that the University of Pécs, Faculty of Business and Economics (UPFBE), Hungary, has successfully completed the Business School Impact System (BSIS) assessment process and has been granted the BSIS label. 

Addressing the school for this achievement, BSIS Director François Bonvalet remarked:

“Congratulations to the University of Pecs, Faculty of Economics and Business, for receiving the BSIS label, showcasing significant dedication towards furthering their journey of tracking and demonstrating impact. There is no doubt that UPFBE has a huge impact on its local environment and is considered a valuable asset to its community.”

University of Pécs, Faculty of Business and Economics

The Faculty of Business and Economics (UPFBE) is one of 10 schools at the University of Pécs that was established over 50 years ago, making it the first business and economics school in Hungary to be founded outside Budapest. With a student body of 3,200, UPFBE offers teaching in both Hungarian and English, striving to maintain an international standard with a local focus. The Centre for Applied Learning (CAL) drives educational impact by integrating real-world practice into all aspects of the school’s activities, fostering meaningful research and practical knowledge application.

Engagement with the business world

UPFBE’s commitment to engaging students with businesses, entrepreneurs, and customers is seen through various initiatives like the Simonyi Bedc Entrepreneurship Centre, corporate events, and specialised training programs. The school’s emphasis on internships provides students with invaluable practical experience, benefiting both corporations and local administration. UPFBE aims to serve as a bridge between academia and the corporate world, facilitating research partnerships tailored to the specific needs of regional companies, thus directly contributing to local economic development.

Pioneering research and collaborative initiatives

Beyond its academic programmes, UPFBE has a significant research output and strong collaborations with regional businesses and organisations. The faculty’s research achievements are reflected in its Research Motivation System (RMS), which has contributed to a notable increase in scholarly publications over the past decade. Additionally, initiatives like the Sustainability Centre and collaborations with advisory boards at both international and regional levels highlight UPFBE’s mission to drive societal impact and foster innovation in teaching, research, and enterprise activities.

Through its multifaceted approach, UPFBE strives to be a pivotal player in shaping the future of business education and practice in Hungary and beyond. During the thorough self-evaluation documentation and personal on-site visit, the BSIS committee analysed the situation of the Faculty and its regional impact, its visibility and its role in the region, especially in Baranya County, along seven dimensions: Financial, educational, business development, intellectual, impact on the regional ecosystem, social and image impact.

Dr. András Takács, Professor and Dean, University of Pécs, Faculty of Business and Economics, commented:

“Through the implementation of BSIS, we have adopted a transformative philosophy that has instigated substantial modifications in institutional impact measurement, monitoring, and human resources management. This strategic shift has provided our entire faculty with a clear understanding of the purpose behind their daily efforts and the direct alignment of their work with institutional objectives.”

About BSIS

The Business School Impact System (BSIS) is the first comprehensive impact assessment tool for business schools, covering more than 120 indicators across seven dimensions of impact. It provides a tailor-made data collection system for monitoring, assessing, and developing the impact of business schools.

The BSIS process involves the definition of the impact zone and institutional scope, data collection, impact assessment, and the report with recommendations for future development. Demonstrating the school’s impact on internal and external stakeholders, the system serves as a communication and negotiation tool externally and fosters an impact culture within the school. Schools that undergo BSIS are awarded the BSIS label for a three-year period.

• There are currently 77 schools across 20 countries that have received the BSIS label.
• To learn more about the impact assessment system, please visit the BSIS website or contact julie.comte@efmdglobal.org.

What is it like for schools to undergo the BSIS process? Discover the compelling journey of Blanka Cimcioch, International Accreditations Coordinator at Poznań University of Economics and Business, as she shares her insights on navigating the BSIS process, highlighting the challenges, seizing the opportunities, and reaping the rewarding results it has yielded. Read more.

For additional insights, announcements and perspectives about BSIS, visit the conversation here.