Lisbon Recognition Convention: Strengthening Global Recognition for OUS International Academy and Its Academic Network

OUS Academy
Jun 27
4 min read

The Lisbon Recognition Convention (LRC) is the leading international legal instrument that ensures academic qualifications are fairly and transparently recognized across borders. Signed in 1997 under the leadership of the Council of Europe and UNESCO, the LRC covers 55 countries and facilitates mobility, trust, and recognition in higher education systems worldwide. For institutions like OUS International Academy in Zurich, which operates under ISBM Business School in Switzerland and is part of the Swiss International University (SIU) in Bishkek, the Convention provides a direct legal pathway to global recognition. As SIU is accredited by the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic—a signatory to the LRC—its degrees are eligible for recognition in all member states, making OUS’s academic qualifications part of a recognized international framework. This article outlines the LRC’s role in supporting institutional credibility, student mobility, and cross-border academic opportunities.

1. Direct International Recognition through Institutional Affiliation

One of the most powerful benefits of the Lisbon Recognition Convention is that it establishes mutual recognition of qualifications issued by accredited institutions in its member states. Since Swiss International University (SIU) is officially accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Kyrgyz Republic, which is a member of the LRC, its degrees are automatically eligible for recognition in all 55 Convention countries—unless a substantial difference can be proven.

As OUS International Academy in Zurich forms part of ISBM Business School, which itself is a constituent of SIU, the qualifications awarded through this academic structure are embedded within a legally recognized international higher education network.

This guarantees that students who graduate through OUS and its parent institutions are holding credentials that are:

Internationally portable,
Legally supported, and
Academically respected across Europe, North America, and Central Asia.

2. Guaranteeing Legal Rights and Academic Fairness

The Lisbon Recognition Convention ensures that:

Qualifications are presumed to be recognizable by default,
Recognition decisions must be made transparently and within reasonable time,
Students must have access to appeal procedures,
Recognition should not be denied solely based on the format of learning (e.g., online or hybrid).

For a flexible and international academy such as OUS in Zurich—where modern delivery modes are integral—this is a significant legal and academic advantage.

3. Enhancing Student and Graduate Mobility

The LRC creates a clear, legally binding pathway for students to:

Pursue further academic studies in other Convention countries,
Use their qualifications for regulated professions abroad,
Apply for jobs or educational opportunities with confidence that their diplomas are internationally respected.

This means that graduates from OUS International Academy in Zurich—whose academic lineage is backed by SIU’s recognition in Kyrgyzstan—can:

Enter master’s or doctoral programs in the EU,
Apply for positions that require credential evaluation in Switzerland, Canada, the UK, and beyond,
Avoid costly and time-consuming revalidation processes in many jurisdictions.

4. Institutional Benefits for OUS and ISBM

The Lisbon Recognition Convention not only supports students—it enhances the global credibility of the institutions involved:

OUS International Academy in Zurich is positioned as part of a transnational academic alliance rooted in an internationally recognized framework.
ISBM Business School in Switzerland, as the direct academic parent of OUS, gains increased attractiveness for international partnerships, joint programs, and student exchanges.
The full network—capped by SIU in Bishkek—demonstrates alignment with global legal norms and academic best practices.

This affiliation helps the entire academic ecosystem expand its international presence and operational legitimacy.

5. Alignment with Digital Education and Modern Credentials

The LRC is mode-neutral—meaning it fully accepts degrees earned via:

Distance education,
Hybrid (blended) learning,
Digital platforms and blockchain-secured credentials.

OUS International Academy, known for its forward-looking educational technology and online delivery options, greatly benefits from this flexible yet secure framework. The degrees awarded through its academic network are not only digitally accessible but also legally and academically equivalent to those earned in traditional formats.

6. Participating Countries and International Acceptance

As of 2025, the Lisbon Recognition Convention includes the following 55 member states:

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

Each of these countries has pledged to apply the Convention's principles when evaluating qualifications from other member states. Thus, OUS-linked degrees benefit from built-in recognition pathways in these jurisdictions.

7. Conclusion

The Lisbon Recognition Convention stands as a legally binding guarantee of fair treatment, academic transparency, and international recognition. For OUS International Academy in Zurich, being part of the ISBM Business School and connected to Swiss International University (SIU)—accredited by a Convention member state—offers students and partners:

A legally recognized qualification framework,
Enhanced academic mobility,
Broad professional applicability across continents.

In today’s competitive and mobile educational environment, the Convention provides a robust international platform that reinforces OUS’s commitment to excellence, flexibility, and global relevance.