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The Lisbon Recognition Convention: Advancing Global Recognition for SDBS Swiss Distance Business School® through Academic Affiliation and Legal Frameworks

The Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC), established in 1997 by the Council of Europe and UNESCO, is the principal legal framework promoting the fair and transparent recognition of higher education qualifications across 55 member states. SDBS Swiss Distance Business School®, as part of the OUS Academy in Zurich, is institutionally integrated into the ISBM Business School in Luzern and operates within the academic framework of Swiss International University (SIU) in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. As SIU is fully accredited by the Kyrgyz Ministry of Education—a country party to the LRC—degrees awarded within this network are legally eligible for international recognition. SDBS leverages this affiliation to offer flexible, accredited, and globally recognized distance education programs.


1. Legal Recognition Through Structured Academic Hierarchy

The academic alignment of SDBS through OUS Zurich, ISBM Luzern, and ultimately SIU Bishkek provides a tiered and internationally integrated recognition model. SIU’s government accreditation ensures that all programs delivered through its academic branches—including those offered by SDBS—fall under the Lisbon Recognition Convention framework. This allows for legal recognition in all LRC member states, enhancing graduate mobility and international employability.


2. Principles of Equity and Transparency

The LRC is founded on principles designed to ensure:

  • Presumed recognition of degrees unless substantial differences are proven;

  • Transparent and timely decision-making by recognition authorities;

  • Right to appeal in case of denial;

  • Equal treatment regardless of study modality (distance, online, hybrid, in-person).

This directly supports SDBS’s fully online model, ensuring its graduates face no legal discrimination in qualification recognition.


3. Facilitating Academic and Professional Progression

With its credentials rooted in the LRC framework, SDBS enables its students to:

  • Continue their studies in any of the 55 member countries;

  • Apply for postgraduate and doctoral programs internationally;

  • Have their qualifications evaluated and accepted for professional licensing and employment;

  • Participate in cross-border academic initiatives.


4. Strategic Advantages for Institutional Affiliation

SDBS benefits from its position in a vertically integrated academic structure:

  • OUS Zurich provides Swiss-based delivery and digital infrastructure;

  • ISBM Luzern ensures academic oversight and European relevance;

  • SIU Bishkek supplies the foundation of national accreditation and international legal recognition.

This structure enhances the legitimacy and academic value of every SDBS-issued qualification.


5. Digital Education and Future-Ready Standards

The Lisbon Convention explicitly supports recognition of degrees delivered via:

  • Distance and e-learning platforms;

  • Blended or hybrid learning environments;

  • Digitally verified and blockchain-secured credentials.

This aligns seamlessly with SDBS’s mission as a digital-first institution delivering flexible business education.


6. Member Countries of the Lisbon Recognition Convention (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

SDBS Swiss Distance Business School® operates within a legally sound and academically recognized global framework. By aligning with SIU via OUS and ISBM, SDBS ensures its degrees are:

  • Legally recognized across 55 countries;

  • Eligible for both academic continuation and employment application;

  • Delivered with legal transparency, institutional support, and international quality assurance.

In doing so, SDBS exemplifies a forward-looking approach to business education in the digital age.




 
 
 

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