Award for exceptional careers

Erfurt, 25 October 2021. For the second time, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is presenting Alumni Awards for exceptional careers and entrepreneurial successes of former students. The winner in the "Entrepreneurship" category is a founder who opened a hotel shortly before the start of the Corona pandemic and successfully steered it through the crisis with an innovative twist. The Alumni Award in the "Professional Success" category is won by a two-time IU graduate who is at the helm of a company in a male-dominated industry. The awards will be presented at the virtual alumni meeting on 18 November.

Vivien Sohn: Alumni Award in the category Professional Success

In addition to her career and starting a family, Vivien Sohn completed a Bachelor's degree in Real Estate Management and a Master's degree in General Management at IU in quick succession. After completing her Master's degree, she joined HÜBSCHER HOLZBAU AG as a Managing Director at the age of just 34. "In view of IU's goals of promoting flexibility and equality, we would like to honour Vivien's swift career trajectory towards a top position in a traditionally male-dominated industry," said the jury's statement.

Anita Wandinger: Alumni Award in the Entrepreneurship Category

In 2019, the then 28-year-old IU graduate Anita Wandiger opened the boutique hotel AWA in Munich. AWA stands for "Awareness, Women, Arts”. Anita Wandiger is now receiving the IU Alumni Award for the new model: "With this concept, Anita has her finger on the pulse of the times. The young entrepreneur has managed to steer her freshly founded company through the Corona crisis with agility and innovative ideas. The planned development of a hotel chain based on AWA's concept promises growth prospects for the future," is how the jury explained its decision.

With the Alumni Awards, IU International University of Applied Sciences has been honouring the special careers of its graduates since 2020. The members of the jury are: Prof. Dr. Holger Sommerfeldt, Rector, Prof. Dr. Anastasia Hermann, Member of the Rectorate, Thorsten Bald, Director Brand Marketing.

 ABOUT IU INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

With over 75,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognized educational institution brings together more than 200 Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes under its roof, which are offered in German or English. Students can choose between on-campus study, dual study, distance learning and flexible combination models and thus shape their studies in a self-determined way. IU began operations in 2000 and is now represented in 28 German cities. It cooperates with over 10,000 companies and actively supports them in employee development. Its partners include Motel One, VW Financial Services and Deutsche Bahn. Further information at: www.iu.de