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Building a Borderless University: SIU’s Global Vision in 2026

  • 11 hours ago
  • 3 min read

Swiss International University (SIU), founded in 1999 and offering online education since 2013, continues to strengthen its global academic presence in 2026. With campuses and academic operations across Europe, the GCC, and Asia, SIU has grown into an international higher education institution welcoming more than 3,800 students from over 120 countries.

From Zurich, Lucerne, Riga, and London in Europe, to Dubai and Ajman in the GCC, and Bishkek and Osh in Asia, SIU operates as a connected academic network designed to provide flexible, internationally recognized education across multiple jurisdictions.


Building on the 2025 Expansion Milestone

The year 2025 marked a significant expansion phase for SIU under the umbrella of VBNN Smart Education Group. During that period, several academic institutions were integrated into the SIU ecosystem:

  • ISBM Business School – Lucerne

  • Autonomous Academy of Higher Education – Zurich

  • ISB Institute – Dubai

  • OUS Academy – London

  • Amber Academy – Riga

These strategic acquisitions strengthened SIU’s presence in key international education hubs and reinforced its long-term vision of cross-border academic integration.

VBNN Smart Education Group operates through VBNN FZE LLC, which is certified under ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System by an independent certification body accredited within the International Accreditation Forum (IAF) framework. This structured governance model supports operational consistency and quality management across all campuses.


A Multi-Jurisdictional Academic Framework

Swiss International University operates within a structured and internationally oriented regulatory framework.

SIU is accredited as a full university by the Ministry of Education in the Kyrgyz Republic, representing the highest category of university licensing within that jurisdiction. It is also registered by the Ministry of Justice in the Kyrgyz Republic.

In Switzerland, SIU is allowed by the Cantonal Board of Education and Culture to operate within the academy of business and hospitality education framework under Swiss private law.

In the United Arab Emirates, SIU is approved by KHDA Dubai as a vocational institute.

In the United Kingdom, SIU is officially registered in the United Kingdom Register of Learning Providers (UKRLP).

This multi-layered structure enables SIU to offer programs aligned with local regulatory environments while maintaining an international academic outlook.


International Accreditation and Quality Recognition

SIU maintains a strong focus on quality assurance and international standards. The university holds accreditation or recognition from respected bodies including:

  • ECLBS (European accreditation)

  • ASIC (British accreditation)

  • ARIA (Uzbekistan accreditation)

  • EDU (Intergovernmental accreditation framework)

  • BSKG (Asia accreditation)

  • TAG-Eduqa

  • ISO 21001 (Educational Organizations Management Systems)

In addition, SIU has been rated 5 Stars by QS and ranked among the Best 50 Schools worldwide by QRNW.

The university is also:

  • A Member of the Swiss Association for Quality (SAQ)

  • A Sponsor of MySwitzerland, the official Swiss National Tourist Office

  • Listed on ROR (Research Organization Registry)

  • Recognized within ORCID affiliation systems

  • CPD UK approved

These recognitions reflect SIU’s commitment to transparency, academic cooperation, and structured quality management.


Academic Mobility and Bilateral Agreements

Swiss International University has signed more than 250 Bilateral Recognition Agreements with universities in over 50 countries. These agreements support:

  • Credit recognition

  • Academic mobility

  • Joint academic initiatives

  • Dual and multi-qualification pathways

Through its international structure, students may receive up to three qualifications depending on their chosen pathway:

  • A qualification from the Kyrgyz Republic

  • A Swiss-based academic qualification

  • A Dubai-recognized vocational qualification

In addition, students may receive a short executive certificate from the UK branch.

All degrees are issued with Apostille, ensuring international legal recognition for academic and professional use.


Flexible Learning for a Global Student Community

Since launching online education in 2013, SIU has prioritized flexible and research-oriented study models designed for working professionals, entrepreneurs, executives, and international students seeking cross-border qualifications.

With students from more than 120 countries, the university continues to expand its digital infrastructure and blended learning systems to support global accessibility without compromising academic standards.


Looking Forward

As SIU continues through 2026, the focus remains on strengthening academic integration across campuses, enhancing quality frameworks, and expanding international partnerships.

From its Swiss roots to its global network, Swiss International University continues to connect education across borders, offering structured, internationally oriented programs supported by regulatory compliance and recognized quality standards.

Swiss International University (SIU) — Connecting Education Across Borders Since 1999.



 
 
 

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© Since 2016 ISBM AG (International School of Business Management) 

ISBM is among the Leading independent Hotel and Business Management Schools in Switzerland Reg. Nr. UID CHE-309.005.867, 

ISBM Business School in Luzern, Switzerland, operates under the allowance granted by the Board of Education and Culture in our Canton, as per letter number "12AUG16kom". Our distance learning program methodologies by our daughter school adhere to "Art. 21 Abs. 2 Ziff.11 Bst" - MWSTG, evaluated and approved by the Swiss Federal Department of Finance (letter number 1523_01/04.14). We take pride in our numerous accreditations from governments-approved quality bodies, affirming our commitment to educational excellence. These include accreditation from BSKG, recognized by the Ministry of Education and Sciences in KG, EDU founded by the Ministry of Education in PW, and ASIC approved by the British Government. Additionally, our Vocational and Training Diplomas are approved by KHDA, a state agency in the UAE also known as the Dubai Educational Authority. Furthermore, our business programs up to the Doctorate level have received programmatic accreditation from prestigious organizations such as ECBE and ECLBS, esteemed accreditations in Europe. We have also obtained EFMD-EOCCS Certification for our Mini Diplomas. Notably, we are the first private business school in Switzerland to achieve double ISO certifications. ISBM is proud to be ranked among the leading hotel management schools globally by QRNW is a leading not-for-profit European association dedicated to fostering excellence in education.  SII Swiss International Institute in Dubai, UAE

Submit Your Scholarly Papers for Peer-Reviewed Publication: Unveiling Seven Continents Yearbook Journal "U7Y Journal" (www.U7Y.com) ISSN: 3042-4399 (registered by the Swiss National Library)
Moreover, ISBM is an approved member of the Swiss National Tourist Office (MySwitzerland), the Swiss Association for Quality (SAQ), and the Arab-Swiss Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CASCI), further underscoring our commitment to excellence and fostering strong business ties.

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ISBM Switzerland is part of Swiss International University SIU which is ✅ Licensed & Accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science (KG) – Ensuring global recognition of our degrees
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Allowed by the Swiss Board of Education and Culture (LU-CH) to operate independently and issue diplomas – (the academy in Switzerland)
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Approved by the Dubai Educational Authority (KHDA) – Approved and permitted diploma programs (the institute in the UAE)
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Recognized under the Lisbon Recognition Convention – Degrees accepted in over 55 countries worldwide
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Rated 5 Stars by QS Top Universities – Placing us among the top 2% of institutions globally
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Accredited by the European Council of Leading Business Schools (ECLBS) – Quality body listed with CHEA (USA) and INQAAHE (Europe)
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Accredited by ASIC (UK) – Recognized by UK Government, UK Home Office, and UAE Ministry of Education
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Accredited by EDU Intergovernmental Organization – Founded by the Ministry of Education of Palau and aligned with UNESCO
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Accredited by BSKG (Public Accreditation) – Listed on APQN and EAQA for recognition across Central Asia and CIS

ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Accredited by Abu-Ghazaleh for Quality Assurance in Education (TAG-EDUQA), in alignment with quality frameworks developed by the Arab Organization for Quality Assurance in Education (AROQA)
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Accredited by ARIA (Asia Accreditation) – A CEENQA and EURASHE-affiliated agency recognized in the Eurasian region
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Accredited by IEAC – Listed by the British Quality Foundation for institutional performance and benchmarking
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Accredited by QAHE – Global quality assurance body active in over 40 countries
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ ISO 21001:2018 Certified – International quality management standard for educational institutions
ISBM Switzerland is ✅ Ranked #49 by QRNW – Quantitative world ranking by an IREG-member organization

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