#Accreditation

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Sara Boboltz at HuffPost:

The Department of Education on Wednesday announced that Columbia University “no longer appears” to meet accreditation standards due to student protests over Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza, threatening the Ivy League institution’s accreditation status. President Donald Trump and his administration argue that the protests constitute antisemitism and have been using the issue as ammunition in a culture war against elite institutions of higher education. The Department of Education does not issue accreditation itself. Rather, it recognizes accrediting agencies, such as the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, of which Columbia is a member. Education Secretary Linda McMahon pressured the Middle States Commission in a statement. “Accreditors have an enormous public responsibility as gatekeepers of federal student aid. They determine which institutions are eligible for federal student loans and Pell Grants,” she said. The Middle States Commission will now have to come up with a plan to address the issues. If Columbia does not cooperate, its accreditation could be revoked.

[...] Trump canceled a whopping $400 million in federal grants to Columbia University back in March. While the school capitulated to the president’s demands, it did not result in a restoration of the funding; an additional $250 million in funds from the National Institutes of Health were frozen later.

This is fascism in action: The Trump Regime begins the process of revoking accreditation for Columbia University, using the Gaza Genocide protests as cover for revoking funding to the school under the pretext of “stopping antisemitism.”

This is the same university that stupidly caved to Traitor Tot’s demands.

See Also:

Daily Kos: Here’s the terrible new way Trump plans to illegally harass universities

[why-animals-do-the-thing]

How do you go about finding any particular exotic animal facility's accreditation? Aside from the most basic "check the company's website for AZA or other logos", is there anything a layman can do to find that info? And what if a place just... doesn't have any accreditation at all? What are the ramifications of that?

All of the accrediting groups have lists on their websites, so use those. The main groups in the USA are:

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The Zoological Association of America

The Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums

The Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries

American Humane’s Human Conservation Certification

There’s also the American Sanctuary Association but their standards are so minimal as to be irrelevant in this day and age.

Facilities may be unaccredited for a bunch of reasons, and it’s never a sign to me to discard them completely. Instead I go in with a lot of critical thinking (and ask why if I can). They may not fit the standards yet for existing groups - like they may be working up to ZAA or AZA accreditation, but those can take a while. They might also be brand new, as you can’t really accredit a facility before it’s operational. Another example: they might be an facility that’s been taken over by non-industry management that doesn’t quite grok yet why accreditation is valuable.

So no accreditation basically means that to get a sense of what a facility is and what the ethics and politics of the management are, you’re going to have to do a lot more legwork. Accreditation gives a nice cheat-sheet for people to start from.

[star-pound-star]

Columbia University No Longer Meets Accreditation Standards Over Discrimination Violations - i24NEWS

The U.S. Department of Education announced Wednesday that Columbia University is no longer in compliance with federal accreditation standards, following a finding that the institution violated federal anti-discrimination laws.

In a formal notice to the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) — Columbia’s official accrediting body — the Department stated that the Ivy League university is currently failing to meet the standards required for accreditation. This failure stems from Columbia’s handling of antisemitism on campus, which the Department found to be in violation of federal civil rights protections.

The Office for Civil Rights, a division within the Department of Education, concluded that Columbia’s conduct has compromised its eligibility under accreditation standards that ensure academic quality, institutional integrity, and compliance with federal law.

MSCHE, which accredits higher education institutions across the Mid-Atlantic region, is now expected to review Columbia’s standing and determine whether corrective action is needed. The accrediting agency plays a key role in determining which schools maintain access to Title IV federal student aid programs, including Pell Grants, federal student loans, and work-study funding.

Only institutions accredited by Department-recognized bodies such as MSCHE are eligible to receive such federal funding — a key resource for students.

This development marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s broader scrutiny of campus responses to antisemitism and discrimination. While the specific incidents leading to the violation have not been publicly detailed, the Department’s findings indicate systemic issues with how Columbia has responded to concerns raised by students and faculty.

Columbia University has not yet issued a public response. The MSCHE is expected to evaluate the notice and may require the university to submit a compliance plan or face possible sanctions, including loss of accreditation.

If Columbia ultimately loses its accreditation, the consequences would be severe, limiting student access to federal aid and potentially impacting the institution’s academic reputation and operations.

This is a developing story.

[lealisonphotographe]

Merci à cette artiste talentueuse, Louisadonna.

Qui m’a offert cette chance inestimable de partager ce moment si précieux, autour de la musique, avec le public et avec elle, qui me tient tant à cœur.

Merci pour ce merveilleux moment !

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

[accreditationconsultant]

Accreditation Readiness Assessments: We evaluate your institution’s current state and readiness for accreditation, identifying areas that need improvement.

Documentation and Evidence Preparation: We assist in preparing essential documentation and evidence required for the accreditation process.

Compliance Advisory: Our expert’s advice on compliance issues to ensure your institution meets all regulatory requirements.

Strategic Development: We help develop strategic plans that align with accreditation standards and institutional goals.

Risk Management: Our consultants offer insights into managing risks associated with the accreditation process and maintaining compliance.

[globsynbusinessschool]

How Important Is Accreditation for a PGDM Programme?

It is needless to mention the importance of a PGDM programme in today’s world. This postgraduate management diploma programme carries significant weight in propelling one toward career advancement. However, pursuing a non-accredited PGDM programme holds no value. Since, PGDM programmes are offered by autonomous institutions, having different types of accreditation is essential. Hence, when researching institutions, you will find that designated bodies accredit all the best PGDM college in Kolkata. 

This brings us to the question- how important is accreditation for a PGDM programme? Why does prioritizing an accredited PGDM course matter? Let’s find out in the blog below.

What is a PGDM Programme?

A PGDM programme stands for Postgraduate Diploma Management programme. It is a 2-year course offered on a full-time basis, tailored to meet industry demands and cultivate industry-relevant managers. 

A PGDM programme seeks to impart knowledge of business management through both classroom lectures and practical, hands-on training. Typically, these programs focus on practical learning and seek to expose students to many aspects of the real business environment through internships, industrial visits, live projects, and other activities.

PGDM programmes offer several specializations, like marketing, finance, HRM, business analytics, and so on. One can opt for any specialization based on their career goals, interest, and other factors. That said whatever your reason is for pursuing a PGDM course, it is imperative to choose an accredited program.  But what is this accreditation? Let’s find it out in the next section. 

What is Accreditation?

Accreditation refers to the process of "getting credited" or recognized. Authorizing authorities typically perform formal assessment and evaluation processes for educational institutions or courses that meet acceptable norms. 

It is a procedure that ensures educational institutions, services, and programmes satisfy predefined standards of quality, ethics, and efficacy. Accrediting bodies can be regional, national, or international organizations known for their competence in evaluating educational quality in specific disciplines or regions, like AICTE, NAAC, NBA, UGC, AIU, etc.

Any accredited institutions or programmes demonstrate their quality and legitimacy. It enables students to make informed academic decisions while also ensuring that their degrees or certificates are regarded as valid by businesses and other institutions.

Which Type of B-Schools Can Offer PGDM Courses?

Unlike an MBA, a PGDM programme is not offered by B-Schools affiliated with universities. Rather, autonomous institutions offer PGDM courses. It is called a Postgraduate Diploma rather than a Degree since only universities regulated by the University Grants Commission (UGC) are authorized to issue degrees, whereas a PGDM is classified as a Diploma programme. Usually, private business institutions accredited by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) are authorized to provide PGDM programmes.

Accreditation for a PGDM Programme: Its Importance

When talking about accreditation, it is worth shedding light on its importance for a PGDM programme. Multiple reasons make accreditation crucial for PGDM courses of which below are a few.

Quality 

There are thousands of business schools throughout the country, but not all of them provide great education. So, how do you tell if a business school offers quality education? The answer is in its accreditations. The more accreditations a business school has from reputable organizations, the more it exhibits its dedication to educational excellence. Higher education educational institutions are thoroughly evaluated by accrediting authorities, like AICTE, AIU, NBA, etc., and only those that successfully meet particular criteria and requirements are accredited.

Upto Date Curriculum

Attending an accredited PGDM curriculum means you'll be learning about industry-relevant topics. Accredited PGDM programmes are frequently assessed and reviewed to make sure that the course of study is current and relevant to the industry's latest advancements, trends, and innovations. This ensures that students obtain education that is relevant to current market demands and developments.

Credibility 

An accredited PGDM programme is more likely to be acknowledged and valued in the market. Because accreditations represent quality, students who attend an accredited PGDM education demonstrate that they have completed a high-quality curriculum that is in line with current market trends. This, in turn, increases their employability and job opportunities. 

Furthermore, the legitimacy of an accredited PGDM programme can be extremely beneficial when seeking admission to further programs such as Ph.D., or an MBA in a foreign business school.

Continuous Improvement

Accreditation agencies conduct official reviews of higher education institutions regularly, making it critical for these institutions to maintain a consistent level of quality. As a result, they are dedicated to ongoing improvement and working to improve the excellent education they deliver. 

Employer Recognition 

Accreditation evaluations undertaken by different bodies generally assess components such as educational standards, teaching approaches, facilities, faculty credentials, and more. Only institutes that meet the standards for all parameters are accredited. 

Participating in an accredited PGDM programme, therefore, demonstrates a high level of management education among candidates, preparing them to become industry-relevant leaders and managers. As a result, candidates' trustworthiness improves dramatically in the view of employers during the placement process.

The Bottomline

In conclusion, accreditations for a PGDM programme are critical. It guarantees the standard, recognition, and relevancy of postgraduate management programmes. Choosing an accredited PGDM course can increase the value of the education and qualifications achieved, thereby improving employment chances in the realm of management. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is meant by the accreditation of PGDM programmes?

Accreditation of PGDM programmes means that the programmes are recognized and approved by different accreditation bodies like AICTE, AIU, NBA, etc.

Does accreditation make a PGDM programme more valuable?

Yes, of course, accreditation makes a PGDM programme more valuable. To know how read the blog above. 

What are the best PGDM colleges in Kolkata that offer accredited courses?

Here are the top PGDM colleges in Kolkata that offer accredited courses:

IIM Calcutta

ISI Kolkata 

Globsyn Business School

Praxis Business School

IMI Kolkata

Calcutta Business School 

ISB&M

What are important PGDM accreditation bodies?

Some of the important PGDM accreditation bodies in India include the following:

AICTE

AACSB

NBA

EQUIS, etc.

Does UGS accreditate PGDM programmes?

No, because PGDM is a diploma program, it is offered by autonomous, private universities rather than UGC-affiliated colleges.

[tomorrowusa]

Republicans don't want you to be educated because it's usually the ignorant and the gullible who believe their bullshit and conspiracy theories.

In a video posted on his website last week, Trump pledged to "fire the radical Left accreditors" and hire new ones "who will impose real standards on colleges." ° Some of those standards would include "protecting free speech," "removing all Marxist diversity, equity, and inclusion bureaucrats," and "implementing college entrance and exit exams to prove that students are actually learning and getting their money's worth." ° Last month, DeSantis sued the Biden administration over the college accreditation system, alleging it's unconstitutional, Inside Higher Ed reports. Students who receive federal aid must attend an accredited college or university.

Donald Trump, the founder and namesake of Trump University, is not a fan of accreditation. For Trump, a "university" is an opportunity to scam people and then pocket some loot.

Ron DeSantis, like Vladimir Putin, simply doesn't like any information system which he can't directly control; he feels nobody should challenge his view that slavery was "beneficial" to its victims.

Of course the GOP finds college loan forgiveness horrifying. In their view, if you're not rich and don't have a daddy to bribe an admissions officer then you should be working at sub-minimum wage for an Earth-unfriendly corporation owned by a Republican megadonor.

The GOP has embraced the role of being the anti-youth party. Maybe GOP really means the "Get Off my Party!"

Vivek Ramaswamy, currently in third place for the Republican nomination, wants to raise the voting age to 25. Ramaswamy is the youngest of the candidates for the nomination, but that doesn't mean he'd be any good for young people. He's essentially Trump with a Cincinnati accent.

It's an irony that the oldest president of the United States, Joe Biden, is more pro-youth than anybody in the Republican Party. Biden is exponentially better on issues which matter to younger voters: reproductive freedom, affordable college, income inequality, LGBTQ+ rights, climate/environment, ending racism, and decent healthcare.

It's not age but personal attitude which ultimately determines political philosophy. 37-year-old Vivek Ramaswamy and 44-year-old Ron DeSantis have the political equivalent of advanced dementia when it comes to positions on policies relating to younger voters.

[sedexcertification]

How to Implement Risk-Based Thinking as per NABL Standards

In today’s bustling, rule-saturated labs, sticking to NABL requirements for testing laboratories isn’t just a good idea anymore—it has become the price of staying open. The chief demand, borrowed from the 2017 update of ISO/IEC 17025, is something called Risk-Based Thinking, or RBT. When you lean into RBT, you guard quality, keep trust alive, and build tougher testing routines.

So whether you are gunning for your first NABL stamp or dusting off an old quality plan, pushing RBT to the front of your list is a must. For down-to-earth actions and seasoned guidance, check out our complete NADL ISO 17025 consulting roadmap.

What Is Risk-Based Thinking in NABL Standards?

In plain language, Risk-Based Thinking means keeping your eyes open, judging, and steering any bumps or surprising chances that could shake results or your labs good name.

ISO/IEC 17025:2017-the backbone of NABL audits-requires that labs:

Identify risks and opportunities related to lab activities,

Take actions to address them,

Integrate these into the management system,

Evaluate how well those steps actually work.

Why Is Risk-Based Mindset Crucial for NABL Accreditation?

NABL expects labs to do more than check boxes; it wants an ongoing push to get better. Risk-based thinking drives that goal by:

Helping managers make smarter choices and spend resources where they matter most.

Cutting the chances of mistakes and non-conformances.

Fostering a forward-looking quality culture that spot problems early.

Building customer confidence with results that are steady and trustworthy.

Practical Steps for Bringing Risk-Based Thinking into a Testing Lab

1. Understand the Context of Your Laboratory

Begin by identifying internal and external issues that can impact your lab's performance. This could include:

Changes in regulatory requirements

Supply chain uncertainties

Staff skill gaps

Equipment reliability

By knowing the context, you lay the foundation for a focused risk assessment.

2. Define Objectives and Critical Activities

Risk-based thinking must be aligned with your lab’s objectives. Determine which processes or results are critical for:

Accurate testing outcomes

Timely delivery

Compliance with NABL standards

These become your key areas of focus.

3. Identify Risks and Opportunities

Use tools like:

SWOT Analysis

FMEA (Failure Mode and Effects Analysis)

Brainstorming sessions

Historical data review

Document each risk with its possible impact and likelihood. For instance, “Risk of equipment failure leading to test delays” can be a typical operational risk.

4. Assess and Prioritize

Not all risks are equal. Prioritize them using a risk matrix—low, medium, or high based on their severity and probability. This helps you allocate resources effectively.

5. Plan Mitigation Actions

For each high-priority risk, define mitigation or control measures. For example:

Preventive maintenance for equipment

Training programs for staff

Vendor evaluations for supply consistency

Ensure these actions are documented and aligned with your quality system.

6. Integrate Risk Management with QMS

Risk-based thinking shouldn’t be a standalone process. Integrate it into:

Internal audits

Management reviews

Process improvement initiatives

This ensures ongoing evaluation and responsiveness to evolving risks.

7. Monitor, Review & Improve

Once risk controls are in place, monitor their effectiveness regularly. This could be through:

KPI tracking

Audit findings

Feedback from stakeholders

Use this data to refine your approach and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Practical Example of Risk-Based Thinking

Scenario: A testing laboratory frequently faces delays in report submission due to equipment downtime.

Risk Identified: Unscheduled equipment failure.

Mitigation Plan: Implement a monthly preventive maintenance schedule and maintain calibration logs.

Result: Improved equipment uptime and timely report submission—demonstrating conformity with NABL’s focus on reliability and customer satisfaction.

Key Takeaways

Risk-based thinking sits at the heart of NABLs ISO/IEC 17025:2017 framework for testing labs.

By focusing on spotting risks early, it encourages stopping issues before they start, instead of fixing them later.

When RBT is woven into daily work, a labs credibility, efficiency, and overall performance can rise sharply.

Conclusion

Any lab that wants to win or keep NABL accreditation must build a clear risk-based plan; doing so meets rules and steers the lab toward lasting trust and success.

For teams seeking hands-on help to line up with NABL and ISO/IEC 17025, 4C Consulting proven consulting services are worth a look.

[houseoftesting]

Integrating Sphere Testing is a vital photometric method used to measure total luminous flux, color accuracy, and spectral distribution of light sources like LEDs and compact lamps. At House of Testing, a NABL-accredited laboratory, we offer precise, repeatable results that support BIS and international standards. This non-destructive testing method ensures reliable evaluation for product development, quality assurance, and compliance. By capturing light in all directions, it provides accurate insights into lighting performance. Widely used in industrial certification and research, Integrating Sphere Testing is essential for manufacturers, researchers, and engineers focused on delivering high-quality, standard-compliant lighting technologies.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Mike Damiano and Hilary Burns at Boston Globe:

Throughout the presidential campaign, Donald Trump and his allies have lambasted universities as “woke” indoctrination mills that radicalize youths against America and rip off students with inflated tuition.

Trump has said that, if elected, he will “reclaim” universities from the “Marxist maniacs and lunatics” who currently control them. His running mate, JD Vance, who once exhorted supporters to “attack the universities,” has praised the authoritarian leader of Hungary for seizing control of that country’s institutions of higher education. Such remarks could be dismissed as Trumpian bombast. But a Globe review of a year’s worth of campaign videos, policy statements, and recent remarks by top Republicans suggests something else: that behind his incendiary words lies a set of specific policies that a second Trump administration could pursue to exert wide-ranging influence over American universities. “There’s a lot of levers and tools that will get their attention day one,” Steve Scalise, the second-highest-ranking Republican in the House of Representatives, said at a meeting with a lobbying group early this month while discussing ways to punish universities for alleged civil rights violations.

Trump and his allies have said a second Trump administration would replace universities’ existing oversight agencies —which wield clout over funding and fair practices —with new ones that would defend “the American tradition and Western civilization.” Trump says he would ramp up civil rights investigations into antisemitism and racial discrimination, a term conservatives have inverted from familiar usage to refer to affirmative action and campus diversity initiatives. And, crucially, he would cut off federal funding to universities deemed to be in violation of federal rules.

The plans are aggressive but feasible, higher education experts said, because they call for using existing federal powers that are under the control of the president. If Trump wins the election, he could follow through on these and other proposals through regulation and executive actions even if the Republican Party does not control Congress. “You have a lot of jurisdiction as president with all of these different [executive branch] agencies,” Scalise said at the Washington meeting held by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The Guardian first published video of the remarks. To his campaign and its supporters, Trump’s promise to crack down on higher education represents an overdue reckoning for institutions that have become, in their view, excessively left-leaning and have strayed from their founding missions.

[...] But some critics hear Trump’s pronouncements about higher education as the rhetoric of a man who revels in executive power and wants to move against his political enemies and quash dissent. “This is what authoritarians do,” said Steven Levitsky, a Harvard government professor who studies democracy and authoritarianism. “Authoritarians of the left, of the center, of the right go after universities.” Trump himself has praised the authoritarian leaders of China, Russia, and Hungary. Vance said in a CBS interview reflecting on Viktor Orbán’s takeover of his country’s universities that the Hungarian president “has made some smart decisions there that we could learn from.”

In some ways, the Trump plans for federal higher education policy are an extension of Republican ideas that have already been implemented in some states. In recent years, Republican governors and state legislatures have banned diversity and inclusion offices, replaced public university leaders with ideological allies, and cut back on courses viewed as having a liberal slant. So far, those efforts have mostly been confined to red states, but higher education insiders fear that Trump could implement similar policies nationally. “We already see the way that state governments have been politicizing higher education, and to do that at a federal level would be devastating,” said Natasha Warikoo, a Tufts University sociology professor.

[...] The plan’s primary target is the federal funding — in the form of student financial aid and research grants — that most colleges and universities depend on to stay in business. In total, it amounts to tens of billions of dollars a year. To receive that crucial funding, institutions must be in compliance with federal rules, including civil rights laws. And to benefit from student financial aid they must have the stamp of approval of an accrediting agency recognized by the federal government.

[...] Another lever Trump and allies say they plan to use is federal civil rights law. “I will direct the Department of Justice to pursue federal civil rights cases against schools that continue to engage in racial discrimination and schools that persist in explicit unlawful discrimination under the guise of equity,” Trump said in the campaign video. [...]

In practice, the more typical outcome has been an agreement with the federal government in which the university promises to change its behavior or policies.

In addition to using the Justice Department, a second Trump administration could investigate alleged civil rights violations through the Department of Education. In the last year, the department has fielded dozens of official complaints alleging that universities are violating civil rights laws by allowing antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate to fester. Republican congressional leaders have summoned university presidents to Washington for hearings on campus antisemitism, which contributed to the resignations of three Ivy League presidents, including Harvard’s Claudine Gay. “We’ve had the hearings. We’ve got it teed up,” Scalise said at the meeting held by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. If Trump wins, it may be possible to withhold billions of dollars of federal funding from schools that the federal government decides are violating students’ civil rights, he said.

Coward, the free speech advocate, said there was nothing inherently concerning about vows to enforce civil rights laws. In the past year, since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, there have been assaults on Jewish students and instances of protesters blocking students from accessing parts of college campuses, which could amount to civil rights violations, he said. But he also warned that civil rights enforcement can go too far, imperiling free expression. Even under the Biden administration, he said, the Department of Education has urged universities to clamp down on pro-Palestinian speech protected by the First Amendment. Some of the policies proposed by Trump and his allies could further increase the pressure on universities and lead to more suppression of speech, he said. “When the institutions are choosing between their students’ First Amendment rights or losing their federal funding, almost all of them are going to choose censorship over loss of federal funding,” Coward said.

Wood, the former Boston University administrator who is now the president of the right-leaning National Association of Scholars, said some of Trump’s plans struck him as reasonable, including the prospect of accreditation reform. He and other conservative critics of higher education say the accreditors have strayed from their original mission of merely ensuring that schools are financially sound and providing an adequate education. Now, Wood says, they are overtly political and push DEI priorities. But critics of Trump’s plans see a power grab that could undermine universities’ independence.

If Donald Trump gets re-elected, he will follow the Viktor Orbán model of suppressing higher education and remaking it in his image to a tool of fascism.

Vote for Kamala Harris to keep academic freedom in universities.

[kerehomes-24]

4 Top Caribbean Medical Schools Accredited In All US

Wondering which Caribbean medical schools are accredited in all 50 U.S. states? This post lists these schools and also runs a comparative assessment among them. The schools include: St. George’s University, American University of the Caribbean, Ross University School of Medicine, and American University of Antigua— these are top Caribbean med schools recognized across the United States. To be…

[thewordenreport]

3 Years of Law School Does Not a Scholar Make

Query: I'm a legal scholar. I've had three years of full-time study in law. Should I be considered a scholar? (I am a scholar in two other schools of knowledge, critiquing American law-schools): https://thewordenreport-highered.blogspot.com/2025/04/an-american-constitutional-scholar.html

[beautifulsoul247]

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[domainforsell8]

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