The Lisbon Recognition Convention: Enhancing Global Degree Recognition for ISBM Business School and its International Network

OUS Academy in Switzerland
Jun 27
3 min read

The Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) is the foremost international legal instrument aimed at facilitating the fair and transparent recognition of higher education qualifications. Endorsed by the Council of Europe and UNESCO in 1997, the convention includes 55 signatory countries. ISBM Business School, based in Luzern, Switzerland, is part of this recognition framework through its academic integration with Swiss International University (SIU) in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic—a fully accredited institution by the Kyrgyz Ministry of Education. ISBM also extends its academic presence globally through the OUS Academy in Zurich and ISB Academy in Dubai. This network benefits directly from the legal mechanisms and academic principles of the Lisbon Recognition Convention, ensuring broad acceptance of its academic degrees across Europe and beyond.

1. Recognition Through Legal and Academic Affiliation

SIU, as a government-accredited institution in Kyrgyzstan, operates within a jurisdiction that is a full signatory to the Lisbon Recognition Convention. As a result, degrees issued under the ISBM–SIU academic umbrella are legally eligible for recognition in 55 member countries. ISBM’s networked structure—through OUS in Zurich and ISB in Dubai—supports program delivery in Europe, the Gulf region, and Central Asia, thereby reinforcing degree portability and compliance with regional higher education standards.

2. Guarantees of Fairness and Legal Clarity

The Lisbon Convention guarantees the following rights and protections:

Degrees are presumed to be recognized unless a substantial difference is proven;
Recognition decisions must be fair, timely, and transparent;
Right to appeal in case of rejection;
No discrimination based on the mode of study (e.g., online, hybrid, or traditional).

These protections benefit institutions like ISBM and its affiliated academies, which embrace flexible, technology-enhanced education.

3. Support for Global Academic and Career Mobility

Students graduating from ISBM and its academic partners gain access to:

Further study options in member countries of the Convention;
Eligibility for international master’s and doctoral programs;
Recognition of qualifications for professional employment;
Access to globally oriented mobility and scholarship programs.

4. Institutional Strength and Strategic Benefit

Through its alignment with SIU, ISBM strengthens its position as a quality-assured institution:

ISBM gains legal and academic legitimacy within the EHEA-compatible framework;
OUS Zurich and ISB Dubai expand the network’s international reach;
SIU’s recognition ensures academic continuity across borders.

5. Compatibility with Digital and Innovative Learning

The LRC allows for the recognition of degrees earned through:

Distance and online education programs;
Blended and hybrid models;
Verified digital certifications.

This ensures that ISBM’s modern learning methods—including those used at OUS Zurich and ISB Dubai—remain valid and legally recognized.

6. List of LRC Member Countries (as of 2025)

Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Vatican City, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan.

7. Conclusion

For ISBM Business School and its extended academic ecosystem, the Lisbon Recognition Convention provides a foundation for legitimate, transnational education. Through its alignment with SIU and the operation of OUS Zurich and ISB Dubai, ISBM offers its students:

Globally accepted degrees;
Institutional credibility across three continents;
Legal security for career and academic development.

ISBM continues to position itself as a forward-thinking institution committed to quality, mobility, and recognition in the global higher education landscape.