Abstract:

In the context of digitalization of the economy and digital transformation of management systems, methods of management education are undergoing significant changes. On the one hand, a request for a new content of education is being formed. On the other hand, the new digital infrastructure makes it possible to actively use online learning technologies, which in turn requires significant changes in the organization of educational process.

The quality of distance learning programs, including online courses, is assured by Online Courses Accreditation, which is also an important factor for consistent improvement in the quality of all organizational processes in the field of business education. This is one of the ways to enhance competitiveness of business schools in the global market for education. In 2018, five MBA online courses designed at the Faculty of Economics of Lomonosov Moscow State University were submitted for EOCCS certification and subsequently approved by the EOCCS Board of EFMD – European Foundation for Management Development. This is the first accreditation of MBA online courses awarded to a Russian classical university. It became successful because over the past few years the key strategic priority of the Faculty of Economics has been the development and implementation of online courses as part of MBA programs.

The experience of preparing for accreditation helps identify the directions of work aiming to improve the quality of online courses in business education. For the Faculty, the added value of online learning lies in customization of education and overcoming time and space barriers. As a result, Lomonosov Moscow State University has the necessary facilities, experience and strategic vision to provide distance courses and programs to all Russian regions and beyond. This makes it possible to increase the competitive advantages of MSU as one of the most esteemed and revered universities in Russia in the new global online learning space.

EOCCS suggestions for improvements indicate the main directions in which the Faculty should develop its teaching strategy. In particular, they point out that learning through online courses should not be organized as a replica of classroom experience. The study of the experience of European business schools and online reviews by international experts has led to the use of a greater variety of delivery and assessment methods in order to accommodate different types of learners and increase collaboration between then. One of the results of participation in the accreditation process is a more systematic review of the courses content, which uses external expertise and ensures that this content is updated as necessary. Among other things, it is planned to use learning analytics in a more active way.

Based on the analysis of LMSU experience, the Paper aims to substantiate that participation in Online Courses Accreditation can improve the quality of MBA programmes so as to meet the global benchmarks established by the leading business schools and encourage knowledge sharing between them. This contributes to the development of Community of Practice in the field of online business education.

Keywords:

Online Courses Accreditation, business education, Russian experience.