Welcome to EAA 2016


Dear Colleagues,

It is our great pleasure to invite you to attend the 39th Annual Congress of the European Accounting Association in The Netherlands which will be held jointly by the EAA and the School of Business and Economics of Maastricht University. The congress will take place in Maastricht on May 11-13, 2016.

Founded in 1976 as a response to a shortage of medical doctors in the Netherlands, Maastricht University (UM) quickly grew to become one of the Netherlands most successful universities. With almost 45% of students and more than 30% of teaching staff coming from abroad it is also the most international university of the Netherlands. Despite its youth, UM has been able to constantly improve its international standing and now features regularly in the world’s most prestigious university rankings. Applying a Problem-Based Learning approach which uses small and independent student groups and Europe-focused and international-oriented programmes, the university was able to carve out an academic profile that attracts students from all over world. Researchers at UM work in multidisciplinary teams and in close cooperation with international institutes, business and industry and have attracted international attention by taking the lead in several large European research projects.

The co-organizer of the congress is the Maastricht University School of Business and Economics (SBE). Founded in 1984, SBE is currently the largest faculty of Maastricht University in student numbers. Housed in a former Jesuit monastery, the school currently provides education to around 4,200 students, of which 60% are international. As a business school, SBE is accredited by EQUIS, AACSB and the Association of MBAs. This triple accreditation has only been achieved by 1% of business schools worldwide. SBE’s approach revolves around small-scale teaching methods supported by an electronic learning environment, a portfolio of international study programmes, and strong incentives for top-quality research. The focus lies on educational innovation. All degree programmes make use of the Problem-Based approach, with an emphasis on skills development – problem solving, group work, and self-directed learning – to prepare students optimally for the European and international knowledge society.

Touching Belgium on its west and just a few miles from Germany to the east, Maastricht is the capital of Holland’s southernmost region, Limburg. From ancient to modern, Maastricht is steeped in history: you can discover Spanish and Roman ruins while strolling through the city’s historic little districts or visit the birthplace of the European Union near the river Maas. Churches, city walls, monumental merchant houses and big squares merge seamlessly with a comprehensive and varied range of shops and attract a regular stream of visitors from the surrounding countries. Maastricht is also a city of indulgence and culinary highlights. There are pleasant lunchrooms, Michelin-starred restaurants, vineyard farms and an extensive range of excellent regional products and dishes. In short, ‘bons vivants’ should not miss out on Maastricht.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Maastricht in May 2016,

EAA 2016 Organizing Committee

 

 

 

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