International Accreditation Organization (IAO) is an international quality assurance agency, working to improve operating standards of organizations all over the world. With its global network of experts, IAO grants accreditation to Educational Institutions, Corporations, Professionals and Qualified Individuals.
IAO - Benchmarking International Accreditation Standards Globally
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Benchmarking Quality Standards
Worldwide
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2. Accreditation is a formal
recognition of competence
to perform specific tasks. It
provides means for
identifying conformance to
internationally recognized
standards. This is called
benchmarking quality in the
21st century.
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3. MISSION OF IAO
“The mission of IAO is to establish, preserve and promote the
finest quality standards worldwide by acting as a catalyst for
information, training and networking to educational institutes,
professionals, students & corporations.”
www.iao.org
4. TABLE OF CONTENTS
About IAO IAO’s Offerings
An Overview 04 Accreditation for Institutions 12
Need for International Accreditation 04 Accreditation for Universities 12
IAO’s International Accreditation 04 Accreditation for Schools 12
IAO’s Points Profile 05 Accreditation for Professionals 12
Pofile 05 Accreditation for Qualifications 12
Foundation Philosophy 06 Accreditation for Corporations 12
Global Chapters 07
Evaluation Commission 08
Strategic Alliances 10
Memberships 10
IAO’s Accreditation Metrics and Process
Points Profile System 14
Organizational Management 14
Academic Management 14
Institutional Performance 14
Accreditation Process 15
Orientation 16
Application Forms 16
Candidacy Status 16
Full Accreditation 16
6. AN OVERVIEW
IAO is an international quality assurance agency, working to improve
operating standards of organizations all over the world. With its global
network of experts, IAO grants accreditation to Educational Institutions,
Corporations, Professionals and Qualified Individuals.
Need For IAO’s
International Accreditation International Accreditation
Accreditation and quality assurance are essential Consumers of today need assurance about their
factors that complete the organizational/institutional choices; whether it is a student selecting a university,
network. Regional accreditation bodies have dutifully an organization deciding to enter into a business
evaluated organizations on a regional scale and granted agreement with another, or individuals looking for
them Primary Accreditation. However, the rapid growth professional development opportunities. At IAO we
of globalization calls for a global entity which can seek to promote high standards of quality in
evaluate organizations against internationally proven organizational practices through an ongoing process
standards of quality and grant an internationally of accreditation.
recognized Secondary Accreditation to an enterprise.
IAO has been working with a diverse team of experts IAO provides accreditation to the following globally:
from different walks of life to create standards that are
both regionally and internationally recognized and Universities Corporations
accepted. Institutes Professionals
Schools Students
IAO provides international accreditation to the
organizations to serve as secondary accreditation,
enhance the entity's regional accreditation and assure
the stakeholders that programs, policies and
procedures of the organization are on a par with
international standards. IAO's International
Accreditation represents an education institution’s
commitment to providing a quality education and an
enabling, learning-oriented environment to students.
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7. IAO provides international accreditation to the organizations to serve as
secondary accreditation, enhance the entity's regional accreditation and
assures stakeholders that the program, policies and procedures of the
organization are up to the international standards of quality. IAO's
International Accreditation represents an entity's commitment to delivering
quality which is on a par with the global standards.
IAO's Points Profile System Profile
IAO grants international accreditation through a unique IAO owes its success to its strong network of
and patented Points Profile System that is developed experts and accreditation professionals serving in
by organizing the best global organizational practices in over 180 countries. IAO has also collaborated with
one place in collaboration with regional accreditation regional accreditation bodies to supplement their
bodies. IAO's Point Profile System works as general strict accreditation methods. IAO is an expert in
basis of evaluation for any organization/individual standardizing organizational practices internationally
regardless of their origin to supplement their regional and accrediting organizations and individuals from
accreditation and provide an additional international academic and professional sectors. IAO's first-rate
accreditation. The Points Profile System is a dynamic services are also recognized by different global
and evolving system that is continually updated in order accreditation associations.
to cater new developments in the academic and
professional quarters.
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8. Foundation Philosophy
IAO conducts organizational assessments and
evaluations based on a unique Points Profile System that
focuses on improving the quality standards by providing
specific recommendations.
Before IAO was formed, there was no true global
accreditation body to accredit academic & business
IAO’s accreditation approach is
service providers and students & professionals despite
focused on improving organizational
substantial expansion in these sectors in recent years.
standards by providing specific
recommendations based on a unique
GESFWA (Global Education Support Forum for Working
Points Profile System. The approach
Adults) took the initiative and formed IAO to promote
differentiates itself from other Quality
the educational standards for students & institutions
Assurance Practices based on:
worldwide. IAO was created with the aim of expanding
GESFWA’s outreach by providing required systems and
solutions so that more and more institutions, schools, 01 Points score instead of Pass/Fail
professionals and students endorse quality educational
standards. 02 Full recommendation report to further
improve Quailty standards
Recently, IAO has also started to accredit corporations
with the aim of promoting reputable interests and 03 Borderless approach through global
corporate objectives. It ensures an adequate level of representatives
structural integrity and quality of product and/or service.
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9. Global Chapters
IAO has presence in more than 180 countries to accomplish its
mission of standardizing and promoting organizational quality
assurance standards worldwide.
IAO’s chapters aim to establish and strengthen quality standards
in academic and corporate sectors in different regions across the
globe. IAO has native experts in its team who are well aware of
the dynamics of the regional practices and possess the
necessary expertise and knowledge to enhance the existing
organizational quality assurance standards.
The chapters are also responsible for organizing seminars,
workshops and events that facilitate IAO in serving organizations
and other stakeholders in a specific region.
Following are a few regions where our chapters are located:
Germany
Lebanon
North America
Italy Syria
Jordan
Saudia Arabia
Egypt
Oman India
Dubai Philippines
Singapore
Malaysia
South America
IAO holds presence in more than 180 countries
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10. EVALUATION COMMISSION
For each international chapter, IAO inducts native educational and
accreditation experts in the team who are well aware of the dynamics of
their country's academic and corporate sectors and possess the
necessary expertise and knowledge to serve their people.
Dr W.G.Somaratne
Dr. Somaratne is a highly
distinguished member of IAO.
He has vast experience in Dr. Ines Dika
community development and currently serves
Brent M.
Dr. Dika has
as Additional Project Director (Programme Tabor obtained Ph.D.
Management) Community Development and Brent M. Tabor is in International
Livelihood Improvement Project, Gemidiriya, a financial expert Relations and is serving as a
Sri Lanka. He is a noted public speaker who and possesses rich experience professor in the Agricultural
has delivered lectures and presentations on in the fields of accounting and University of Tirana. She also
agricultural economy when he was working as finance. Currently pursuing a has exceptional language skills
Advocacy and Programme Policy Manager at PhD at North Central University, and brings value to IAO through
Oxfam Australia. He has also published books AZ, Brent M. Tabor has added her worldwide network of peers
on contract farming potential and problems in immense value to the cause of working to enhance the quality
Sri Lankan agriculture. IAO. of education.
Dr. Ameer Ali Najib Nicolas Gerges
Dr. Ameer Ali is a distinguished Dr.Gerges’s valuable work experience has made him
member of IAO. He serves as one of the most reliable and treasured IAO members.
Chairperson and Assistant professor A civil engineer by profession, his valuable
in the Department of Computer Science and experience in water resources and environmental engineering has
Engineering (CSE), East West University. He is helped him attain managerial positions at Dar Al Handshah Shair
valuable to the Organization for his extensive and Partners, Parsons International Limited and Beiswenger Hoch
teaching experience and in-depth research in the and Associates. He is also teaching water resources engineering
field of Information Technology. and project management courses at the University of Balamand and
at the Lebanese American University.
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11. EVALUATION COMMISSION
Dr. Friedrich Schneider
Dr. Friedrich Schneider is a
Professor of Economics at
Johannes Kepler University of
Linz, Austria. He obtained his PhD in Economics
from the University of Konstanz and has since Xiaofeng Hu
held numerous visiting and honorary positions at Xiaofeng Hu has obtained his Ph.D degree from
a number of universities. He was Dean of Social Shanghai Jiao Tong University and his research interests
Science and Economics and Vice President of lies in simulation, planning, scheduling and management
Foreign Affairs at Johannes Kepler University of of manufacturing systems (including assembly lines, project shops,
Linz and President of the Austrian Economic hybrid flowshops, re-entrant manufacturing lines and hospitals). He
Association. He has also been consultant to has conducted various research projects and published numerous
numerous organizations including the Brussels EU papers. Currently, he serves as a lecturer in the Computer Integrated
Commission. He has published extensively in Manufacturing Research Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University. He
various economic journals. He brings value to IAO was also granted SMC Excellent Young Faculty Award in 2009 and
through his extensive worldwide experience in Outstanding Supervisor of Undergraduate in 2010 by Shanghai Jiao
education and research. Tong University.
Ambili P.K Dr. Mohammed Marta Zugaro
Mrs. Ambili Aldasht Marta is a
Puthusseri has Dr. Mohammed Aldasht consultancy and
obtained her brings value to the IAO training enthusiast
Master’s degree in computer through his interests in parallel with a master's degree in
application and has also computing, evolutionary computing, Archaeology. She has been an
completed many certification optimization and prediction problems in academic achiever and has won a
programs that have high performance computing. He has six-month scholarship with the
sharpened her technical also published various works in the field University of Tuscia. She has also
skills. She is a very of computer sciences and has also worked with world-renowned
passionate and hardworking conducted a research project in professors and industry
individual of IAO. Intelligent Algorithms for Prediction and professionals at different training
Optimization in Heterogeneous Clusters programs and seminars.
at the Palestine University. He has
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obtained his Ph. D. from the University
of Granada and now serves as the Dean
for College of Admin. Sciences and
Informatics in Palestine Polytechnic
University.
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12. STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
IAO has collaborated with distinguished regional accreditation bodies to supplement their strict accreditation methods
using its Points Profile System, supported by the latest technology to establish, preserve and promote the finest
quality assurance standards worldwide.
IAO collaborates with different Quality Assurance agencies to formulate plans for improving the operational standards
in organizations and to help them discover their competitive potential among regional and international peers. The
objective of this exercise is to enhance operating standards to international levels.
Currently, the following associations are partners with IAO:
MEMBERSHIPS
In pursuit of its mission to increase the global quality
standards for academic and business corporations
and individuals, IAO has formed associations with
GESFWA
international bodies that work towards enhancing International Education Global Education Support Forum
Accreditation Commission for Working Adults
such standards worldwide.
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13. Setting International Quality Standards
for Universities, Institutes, Schools
Corporations, Professionals
and Students Worldwide
IAO OFFERINGS
14. IAO ACCREDITATION SERVICES
IAO is an entity entrusted with the responsibility of providing quality
assurance to educational institutions, business corporations, professionals
and qualified individuals.
IAO's international accreditation can be broadly categorized as follows:
IAO accredits universities providing education by means
Accreditation of either e-learning/distance learning or on-campus
for Universities study programs.
Traditional and distance learning career colleges and
Accreditation institutions imparting job oriented and professional
for Institutes training to students can gain accreditation through IAO.
International accreditation is offer to elementary/primary
Accreditation and secondary schools all over the world that fulfill their
for Schools student's learning& development needs.
IAO also accredits professionals who serve in various
Accreditation fields and industries worldwide and may have even
for Professionals completed recognized programs of field specific
training.
International accreditation for students is specifically
Accreditation designed for students who have earned or are earning
for Students qualifications in various specializations and fields of
study worldwide.
Corporations employing the highest standards of quality
Accreditation assurance in business management & performance in
for Corporations various markets worldwide, can earn International
accreditation from IAO.
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16. IAO ACCREDITATION METRICS
IAO’s accreditation is conferred by rigorously evaluating all applicants
against the unique patented evaluation process, known as Points Profile
System, based on the best global practices in education and organizations.
Points Profile System
As per the Points Profile system, certain points are assigned to every answer submitted in the application form,
which are then rated to calculate a final score for each category. A visit of IAO’s Evaluation Commission is also
conducted for a physical evaluation of the organization. These scores are put together to form a matrix that
measures the quality of the applicant from different angles. This Points Profile System is intelligently designed to
detect strengths and weaknesses against the international standards. The final matrix gives the overall picture of
the applicant's quality and standards and also makes recommendations to improve performance in different areas.
01 02 03
Organizational Academic/Business Institutional/Business
Management Management Performance
Organizational Management The academic / business IAO calculates organization’s
deals with factors pertaining management of an performance based on the
to the organization’s overall institute/organization is progress of the employers,
management. These factors calculated based on factors alumni, standard certifications
include the organizational such as the quality and of the instituition/business,
structure, time of existence of relevance of the curriculum, and the number of
the institution, existence of a admission policies, flexible accreditations possessed by
defined vision, ethical hours, faculty,employes, HR the organization.
practices, research & Policies, financial
scholarships, marketing, etc. management etc.
* Students and professionals are not accredited on the abovementioned metrics and the on-site visit also does not apply to
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them. Rather they are evaluated on factors such as their academic profile, experience, etc.
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17. ACCREDITATION PROCESS
The steps to our accreditation process are described below. These steps
are a guide to learning more about IAO’s accreditation.
Step 7 Step 1
IAO’s consultant will work Signup to provide your basic details
Now
regularly in improving your at IAO & start your accreditation
Points Profile Score through process
recommendations
itatio
n Step 2
red s
c ou t ay
s
Fill in your accreditation
i u
Atcn men
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Lo Sig 3
D
application online, offline
on rove
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e
Lif
C p p or through consultant
Fu
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App
Accreditat
Full
Step 6
lication
After visit, your institute
will be eligible for Full
PROCESS
Accreditation along
with final Points
Profile Score, Day
Befor
e 30th
1-2 Da
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Do
certificate, seal & Provide documents to
validate the information
cu
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more benefits
you submitted earlier in
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Candidacy
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Step 5 Step 4
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IAO commission members Candidacy status makes your
will visit your institute institute eligible for Full Accreditation.
to validate the documents You will receive a preliminary Points
& information you submitted Profile Score, a Letter your institute will
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earlier in the application be listed among other candidate
institutes on IAO’s website
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18. ACCREDITATION PROCESS
Step 1: (Now) Step 5: (1-10 Days)
Signup Visit
The first step is to signup with IAO and provide your The last step to gain full accreditation is the visit of
basic information. This includes your personal profile IAO’s representative to the applicant
and organizational information. Institution/School/University or office on a mutually
agreed date. The IAO will evaluate nstitutional
Step 2: (2-3 Days) system for full accreditation through physical
location and/or online provision system, through
Application Form student/employee involvement and through the
IAO's proprietary variable.
Organizations/Individuals are required to submit their
details through the application form available on IAO’s
website. The form covers details like the Organization’s Step 6: (Before 30th Day)
mission, and information about faculty/ employees, etc. Full Accreditation
For individuals, the forms require details such as their
educational and work experiences, any awards and Full accreditation will be awarded and the final
recognitions, etc. This is reflective of the strengths and points profile will be granted to the applicant
weaknesses of the institution/school/corporation/ educational institution/corporation based on IAO’s
individuals as per accreditation standards. The form evaluator(s’) visit and assessment. Once the
can either be completed online through your account education institute receives full accreditation, they
area, downloaded to be filled later or you can ask for a can communicate the status on their website and
consultant’s assistance to complete your form. can also use it for reference in official documents
and files. Also, the printed certificate with IAO’s
official seal will be shipped to the provided official
Step 3: (1-2 Days) address Additionally and most importantly, they
Validation Documents will receive final points profile score highlighting the
strengths and weaknesses of the institute.
The Organization/Individual is also required to submit
certain documents for IAO to validate the information
filled in the accreditation application forms.
Step 7: (Life Long)
Continuous Improvement
Step 4: (1 Day) Once fully accredited your journey with IAO won’t
Candidacy end here. Our members will be working with you
on a regular basis as to how you can improve the
On the basis of all the submitted documentary standards of your organization/institute through
evidence through the detailed form and validation our continuous improvement process.
documents, the organization/individual is
evaluated for candidacy based on IAO’s unique
patented profiling system.
If annouced eligible for candidacy, the IAO will
award an organization/individual with a Candidacy
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letter, provide preliminary points profile and
provide them an opportunity to be listed on IAO’s
website among other candidates Institutes of IAO.
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Contact IAO
Contact Office:
IAO, 10685-B
Hazelhurst Dr. #11524
Houston, TX 77043, USA
Phone: 1-866-2768-IAO (426)
Email: contact@iao.org
Website: http://iao.org