The event was opened by Prof. Dr Jens Rieger from IU. He addressed the question of how narratives that question societal diversity can weaken the promises of equality and participation upon which democratic societies are founded. These developments are particularly evident in groups already threatened by marginalisation. His conclusion was directed specifically at the professionals present: Social work must explicitly orient itself towards human rights, social justice, diversity, and participation, and confront exclusionary tendencies with professional clarity.

Following this, Prof. Dr Marit Cremer addressed the topic of "Human Rights and Diversity," explaining the significance of human rights for the everyday practice of social work. Using examples from international social work, she demonstrated how lived diversity can come under pressure in different national and institutional contexts. At the same time, she raised the question of what professional and ethical stance social work should adopt when societal conditions change.

Afterwards, the students took the floor. Lara Katine and Lennert Müller presented their paper "Social Inequality – Social Work – A Theory." They began by introducing the fundamentals of social inequality and then elaborated on these using Pierre Bourdieu's sociocultural theory of habitus, capital, and the social field. They demonstrated how societal structures influence access to education and social participation. The presentation was accompanied by a poster they had designed themselves.

The morning concluded with a panel discussion featuring Josef Held, musician and special education teacher. He has witnessed and significantly influenced the development of special education in Germany and Europe since the late 1970s, making him the most experienced voice in the discussion. Further posters from the students were presented and supplemented by an information table. Even after the official end of the programme, lively discussions continued at a reception organised by the IU Campus Karlsruhe team.

The event format also reflects how the topic is taught at IU: Students in the dual-study programme in Social Work spend an entire semester exploring diversity and social inequality. Diversity Day provides a public platform for this course content – and simultaneously brings the students together with the practitioners who will later mentor and guide them in their professional lives.

Erfurt, 16 April 2026. IU International University of Applied Sciences is the first university in Germany to systematically and measurably integrate a self-developed competency model for the AI-driven world of work into its curriculum. This model is based on the "Job Readiness Framework", which specifically prepares students for the professional use of AI and structures their competency development in five measurable levels. Thus, graduates can demonstrate their ability to confidently and purposefully deploy AI in work contexts. According to an international comparative study¹ by IU with 4,063 participants, 55.8 per cent of recruiters prefer this type of qualification over traditional skills tests.

Following an initial pilot phase beginning in April 2026, the Job Readiness Framework will systematically be offered across all IU disciplines and degree programmes, in both distance learning and dual study formats. It is therefore intended for students from all disciplines, ranging from IT and social work to design. While the existing subject content will remain unchanged, it will be systematically complemented by the application of AI, the development of practical competencies, and practice-oriented decision-making formats.

The holistic framework specifically strengthens human capabilities such as judgement and critical and creative thinking. Humans excel in these areas over AI, and it is precisely for this reason that these competencies are crucial for meaningfully steering AI in professional contexts. In an increasingly AI-driven global labour market, they are the key to success.

Framework aims to close AI competency gap

"Technology is developing faster than people can be upskilled," says AI expert Prof Dr Kamal Bhattacharya, Vice-Rector Research and Transfer at IU and professor for computer science.

"Only months often separate new generations of powerful AI models, whilst university curricula develop over years. This creates a growing gap between technological development and human competency – this is what we want to close," Bhattacharya continues.

The need for action is clear: in its 'Future of Jobs Report', the World Economic Forum (WEF) identifies skills gaps as the greatest barrier to business transformation (63 per cent of employers worldwide). Simultaneously, the WEF projects that 39 per cent of all core skills will need to be newly acquired by 2030.

With the Job Readiness Framework, students learn, amongst other things:

• To structure problems analytically
• To develop creative solutions
• To critically evaluate AI results
• To decide which tasks can be delegated to AI – and which cannot

The aim of the approach is to develop students from mere users to active designers in human-AI collaboration. They learn not only to use AI as a tool but to integrate it as a partner in work processes.

International survey confirms relevance

To validate the developed framework, IU conducted an international survey¹. Between 2 and 16 December 2025, a total of 4,063 working individuals – including 702 recruiters – aged 18 and above were surveyed in Germany, Canada, the USA, the United Kingdom and France.

Companies see clear benefits particularly in recruitment: 55.8 per cent of recruiters surveyed indicate they prefer AI-related competency credentials over traditional skills tests.

Overall, the approach is widely approved of: 61.5 per cent of respondents rate the IU framework as more effective than comparable models from other organisations, and 79.9 per cent consider it to be substantively complete.

The approach of defining competencies not as long lists of individual skills, but as "Professional Modes", is particularly well-received. IU understands these to be overarching ways of thinking and working that are applied in different professional situations and systematically developed.

The future competencies most frequently cited by respondents are creative thinking (56.6 per cent), analytical thinking (53.6 per cent) and empathy and active listening (46.9 per cent).

These can be directly mapped to the four "Professional Modes" of the Job Readiness Framework: Creative Problem Solving, Continuous Learning, Strategic Collaboration with humans and AI, and Responsible Decision-Making.

Measurable competency levels

The Job Readiness Framework structures these capabilities in a five-level competency model (from level 0 to level 4).

The framework's objective is for all IU students to reach the maximum level 4 by graduation.

"Every student leaving a university should be able to demonstrate a traceable assessment of their own AI competencies," demands Dr Sven Schütt, CEO of IU.

A recent IU survey² shows that IU students are already better equipped with AI skills today than students at other universities: 83 per cent of IU students and graduates agree with the statement that they have learnt the meaningful deployment of AI tools at IU. By comparison: at other private universities, the figure is 70 per cent, and at state universities it is 67 per cent.

"The results show: our efforts are working. With our AI-powered learning companion Syntea, students have been training reflective engagement with AI for years," emphasises Schütt.

Pilot phase already launched

The practical implementation of the Job Readiness Framework has already begun. Since early April, initial project courses have been running on the IU distance learning platform. These include 'Social Entrepreneurship' and 'Customer Journey', each with over 100 students, 'Business Start-up', with over 400 students, and 'Business Model Development', with over 50 students.

In some of these pilot courses, AI-assisted research forms part of the assessment: students compare different AI models, critically analyse their results and justify their selection, thereby learning when and how AI can be meaningfully deployed.

By the end of the year, the Job Readiness Framework will be available for courses across all degree programmes. Its modular design means it can be adopted incrementally by other universities and organisations without the need to rebuild the curriculum, providing a practice-oriented framework for systematic preparation for an AI-driven world of work.

Press enquiries for interviews
For interviews and background discussions, Dr Sven Schütt, CEO of IU International University of Applied Sciences, and Prof Dr Kamal Bhattacharya, Vice-Rector Research and Transfer and Transfer at IU, are available.

Contact:
Press Office – IU International University of Applied Sciences
Email: presse@iu.org
Phone: +49 (0)173/7426 113

¹ The results are based on an international comparative study conducted by IU International University of Applied Sciences. Between 2 December and 16 December 2025, a total of 4,063 individuals aged 18 and above were surveyed across five countries: Germany (n = 850), the United States (n = 802), the United Kingdom (n = 811), France (n = 800), and Canada (n = 800). Participants included recruiters, executives, education professionals, and employees in general. All respondents were either employed or self-employed at the time of the survey. Data was collected via an international online panel (Cint) using a standardised online questionnaire.

² The “University Experience Study 2026” was conducted by Kantar Profiles between 27 August and 20 October 2025. A total of 4,004 students and graduates from public and private universities were surveyed, including 1,597 alumni, with the sample being representative in terms of age and gender. The target group comprised alumni from the past five years, current students, and dropouts. The study was commissioned by IU International University of Applied Sciences and conducted independently by Kantar Profiles in accordance with its internal quality standards.

Methodology: To ensure the highest possible comparability between universities, three different comparison approaches were used:
(a) “Public universities vs. private universities (excluding IU) vs. IU”,
(b) “IU vs. benchmark”, and
(c) “Public vs. private universities”.

In (a), IU is compared separately with public and private universities. Individuals studying or having studied at IU are considered as a distinct group and are not included within the category of private universities.

In (b), public and private universities are grouped into a single cohort and compared against IU students and alumni.

In (c), all public and private universities are grouped together in each category (including IU).

Erfurt, 9 April 2026. Julia Loos, a student from Erfurt, has received a major accolade: she is studying for a dual degree in Tourism Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences in Erfurt and has been accepted into the prestigious DRV Young Talents Programme 2026 – as one of only three participants selected nationwide in the student category.

The German Travel Association’s (DRV) support programme is regarded as one of the most important initiatives for promoting young talent in the tourism industry. It is aimed at particularly committed and high-achieving students who have the potential to actively shape the future of tourism.

The Erfurt student impressed not only with her academic achievements in her dual study programme, but also through her voluntary work. Alongside her studies, she is heavily involved in the student-run association Dual Thinking e.V., demonstrating how social engagement and professional development can go hand in hand. “I am delighted to have been accepted into the DRV Young Talents Programme. For me, this is a great opportunity to expand my network within the industry and gain new perspectives for my professional future,” says the student.

IU also regards the award as a strong signal: “The fact that one of our students is among the few participants selected nationwide underscores the quality and practical focus of our dual degree programme in Tourism Management. Such successes demonstrate that we are specifically preparing our students for demanding career paths within the industry,” says Dr Peter Neumann, Professor of Tourism Economics and Head of the Hospitality, Tourism & Event Department at IU.

The dual study programme combines academic training with intensive practical experience in companies within the tourism industry. Through the model of alternating or split weeks, students gain valuable insights into real-world work processes whilst simultaneously building a robust professional network.

Upon acceptance into the DRV Young Talents Programme, the student gains access to exclusive industry events, mentoring opportunities and a network of leading tourism professionals. Over 80 applications from across Germany were received for the 2026 DRV Young Talents Programme. A panel of experts selected ten young professionals from these – including just three students nationwide. “Anyone who specifically supports young talent today is strengthening innovation and quality in the travel industry in the long term,” emphasises Ulrike Katz, Vice-President of DRV.

Selected participants can look forward to a year-long support programme offering exclusive insights into the industry – including attendance at the DRV Annual Conference in the Azores on 15 April, as well as other specialist events and policy forums in Berlin and Brussels.

ABOUT THE DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMME IN TOURISM MANAGEMENT 

The dual degree programme in Tourism Management specifically prepares students for specialist and managerial roles in a dynamic and international industry. Thanks to the close integration of theory and practice at a company of their choice, students benefit from excellent career prospects after graduation. Tuition fees are usually covered in full by the host company. Further information is available at: https://www.iu.de/en/bachelor/tourismusmanagement/dual-studies/

Dresden, 16 January 2026. As part of the ZuKo4Saxony research project, IU International University of Applied Sciences, together with its project partners, is developing learning content for a digital platform that will enable small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Saxony to specifically impart to dual-study students those future skills that are becoming indispensable in an increasingly digital, dynamic working world.

Dual study models, such as those offered by IU in Dresden and Leipzig, provide practical experience from day one – but small and micro-enterprises in particular often face the challenge of lacking the necessary capacities and structures to support students in a future-oriented way during their practical phases.

While large companies maintain dedicated departments and establish internal programmes for this purpose, smaller businesses often lack the time, systemic training tools, and awareness of sustainable and strategic resource allocation. This is precisely where ZuKo4Saxony comes in. The project, funded by the European Social Fund and the Free State of Saxony, is being implemented jointly under the leadership of the Dresden University of Technology (TUD), together with IU International University of Applied Sciences, the Mittweida University of Applied Sciences (MIKOMI), and the TU Dresden Institute of Further and Continuous Education GmbH (TUDFaCE). Within the project, IU, under the direction of Prof. Dr Helge Fischer, Ulrike Schroer, and Sophie Hollmann, is responsible for developing the subject matter and concepts for future skills and for the direct involvement of the practical partners.

“The aim of the project is to develop an innovative and modular digital learning platform that offers companies quick, flexible, and practical access to relevant future skills,” says Prof. Dr Helge Fischer. “Pure specialist knowledge and traditional qualifications alone will no longer be sufficient in the long run. We want to enable SMEs to sustainably improve the quality, support, and professional development of their students. This strengthens both their competitiveness and their attractiveness as employers.”

Future Skills – Requirements of a New Working World

Digitalisation, globalisation, and demographic change will require new skills in the future to remain competitive in complex work structures. While the term "future skills" is established in academic circles, many SMEs still lack a concrete practical application. ZuKo4Saxony is the first to systematically transfer this concept to Saxony's SMEs.

As part of the first phase of the project, a comprehensive empirical survey was conducted among 113 Saxon SMEs, providing essential insights into their challenges and needs.

Small and medium-sized enterprises in Saxony see the highest relevance in skills such as self-management/reflection, ambiguity and problem-solving ability combined with strong communication and cooperation skills.

In a more in-depth analysis, Saxon SMEs consider the following skills to be extremely relevant for remaining competitive in the future:

• Dimension 1: Subject-development-related competencies
  Here, self-reflection (96 per cent), intrinsic motivation (96 per cent), adaptability (96 per cent), self-directed learning (95 per cent) and willingness to take responsibility (93 per cent) are the supporting pillars for future viability.
• Dimension 2: Individual-object-related competencies
  Here, problem-solving (96 per cent), information literacy (93 per cent), flexibility (91 per cent), creativity & innovative thinking (86 per cent) stand out.
• Dimension 3: Organization-related competencies
  Teamwork skills (96 per cent), dialogue/consensus and criticism skills (93 per cent each), language skills (92 per cent) and social intelligence (91 per cent) are key levers for SMEs in Saxony.

It also becomes clear that SMEs need practical, digital, and work-integrated training formats. Project-oriented work and digital learning opportunities are particularly highly valued by over 80 per cent of companies. Interactive and subject-focused online formats, videos, and lectures are the preferred learning methods. For half of the respondents, collaboration with universities is also relevant. Further results can be found in the white paper accompanying the study (conducted by TUDFaCE).

The results of the first project phase are directly incorporated into the development of the digital learning content.

Practical benefits for SMEs

ZuKo4Saxony is specifically aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises in Saxony that want to offer modern skills development without significant financial or organisational effort. The digital learning platform is designed to support them in providing needs-based support for dual-study students, actively shaping transformation, and retaining skilled workers in the long term.

The project makes a significant contribution to strengthening Saxony's small and medium-sized enterprises for future challenges and further expanding the attractiveness of dual study models.

SMEs sought for pilot phase

Companies in Saxony are invited to test the learning platform in advance and actively participate in its further development until its official launch. All employees – regardless of level or function – will have full access to the training content. The project team will gather feedback on the platform through a short evaluation at the beginning and end of the trial period. The first test run will begin in February. The official launch of the learning environment is planned for 2027.  

Those interested can find further information and the opportunity to register at: https://www.zuko4saxony.de/

The project managers are happy to be available for interviews and background discussions. Please send your inquiries to zuko4saxony@iu.org.

GRID daycare screening closes diagnostic gap in early childhood education

The GRID model is a multi-professional concept for multidimensional diagnostics and support planning for learning and behavioral difficulties. It was developed by Dr Edeltraud Hammes-Schmitz at the University of Cologne, extensively validated, and continuously developed further – particularly in the school context. The sixth-semester students from the IU Campus Düsseldorf demonstrated the model's enormous potential for the transition from daycare to elementary school with their developed GRID daycare screening , which closes a key diagnostic gap in the preschool setting.

As the only representatives from the early childhood education field, the IU students provided new food for thought – both for the expansion of the GRID model and for the relevance of early childhood education perspectives in multi-professional discourses.

Prime example of theory-practice transfer

The development process of the GRID daycare screening is an impressive example of a successful transfer between theory and practice. As part of the "Supervision, Intervision & Coaching" module, the dual-study students developed a concept for the structured observation of children's precursor skills. The goal was to create a practical, adaptable tool that would visualise children's skills in their final year of daycare - in seven key areas, from independence to parenting.

Together with course leader Prof. Dr Nicole Ramacher-Faasen, they researched specialist literature, obtained input from Dr Hammes-Schmitz, held discussions in the seminar, conducted tests in their own practice settings, and collected feedback from professionals and from reflection loops. All of these efforts resulted in a screening instrument that is both scientifically sound and practically applicable.

Particular emphasis was placed on digital implementation: The instrument is optimised for use on a tablet or PC and minimises documentation requirements for professionals. It comprises 49 items that are assessed through observations in everyday life and, with the help of assessment aids, comment fields, and automated evaluations, enable structured support planning.

Students as co-creators of scientifically sound practice

The IU students were not only involved in the concept development, but also supported initial implementations in daycare centers, trained staff, developed supporting materials, and conducted an initial evaluation. Feedback from practitioners confirms: The screening is intuitive, practical, and adaptable.

"Our students impressively demonstrated how application-oriented research can be successful in education," emphasises Prof. Dr Nicole Ramacher-Faasen. "The contribution was not only positively received from a professional perspective, but was also recognised as an example of successful cooperation between academia and practice."

Interactive workshop and specialist lecture convinced the specialist audience

At the conference in Cologne, the students not only delivered their presentations but also independently moderated an interactive working group on the topic "GRID – Between Vision, Reality, and Critique." The workshop stimulated intensive discussions on the potential applications and challenges of the GRID model in various practical fields.

With their commitment, IU students demonstrate how scientifically sound concepts can be put into practical application in dual study programmes – and how educational careers can be actively shaped during their studies.

"IU's presence at the conference was more than just a presentation - it was a contribution to the further development of a practical, evidence-based diagnostic tool," summarises Ramacher-Faasen. "The students took on responsibility, contributed their practical experience, and demonstrated that studies and research don't have to remain theoretical, but can generate concrete solutions to educational challenges. I'm incredibly proud of them."

More information about the dual study programme in Childhood Education can be found at: https://www.iu.de/bachelor/kindheitspadagogik/duales-studium/

In her thesis, titled "LGBTQIA+ in the Context of Refuge," Alina Klein explores the intersectional challenges and needs of queer people with refugee experience. The goal of her work is to create visibility, promote understanding, and provide professionals with concrete practical options.

"Many queer refugees experience double marginalisation - because of their origins as well as their sexual orientation or gender identity," explains the 28-year-old graduate. "My work aims to demonstrate that more is needed than symbolism - namely, real spaces, protection concepts, and awareness-raising in everyday working life."

Theory and practice closely interlinked

Her thesis was closely linked to her practical work at the Protestant Youth Welfare Service in Bochum. There, she works in a self-sufficiency project for unaccompanied minor refugees. She also conducted interviews with professionals from a network partner in Bochum that provides educational work on sexual and gender diversity and targeted services for queer refugees.

IU's dual study model offered her the ideal foundation for combining theory and practice: "I was able to directly apply my knowledge to my everyday professional life – and, conversely, to work on the topics that concern me in practice in a scientifically sound manner. The high degree of flexibility in the design of the examinations allowed me to translate my passion into an academic work."

Even during her studies, Alina Klein was already involved beyond the curriculum. She organised training courses on discrimination protection and implemented awareness-raising campaigns in her own work environment, such as workshops for young refugees, flyers, stickers, and rainbow pins. "It's often the little things that have a big impact. One client told me that our campaign made her feel truly seen. That was very touching," she recalls.

Awarded the IU Diversity Award

Alina Klein’s work was honoured with the IU Diversity Award 2025 for its particular social relevance and practice-oriented depth.

"Alina impressively succeeds in illuminating a highly sensitive topic not only with a scientifically sound approach, but also with tangible empathy and practical relevance. Her work highlights what is often overlooked in everyday life – and provides concrete ideas on how professionals can better support queer refugees. An outstanding example of how science can help shape social change," says Ariane Weber, employee in the Equal Opportunities Office and project manager of the Diversity Award at IU International University of Applied Sciences.

Even beyond her graduation, Alina Klein continues to pursue her vision. She recently began a master's degree in social work with a focus on trauma education, refugee issues, and migration, and she also envisions pursuing a doctorate in the long term. Her goal: to share her own experiences with students and encourage them in their future roles as social workers.

IU as the largest academic trainer for social work

IU currently trains around 30,000 people in the health and social care sector, making it the largest academic provider in this field. Through distance learning programmes (Bachelor's , Master's , MBA), dual study programmes, and continuing education courses at the IU Academy, interested students can acquire in-depth knowledge and qualify for a variety of careers in the social sector.

About the IU Diversity Award

IU International University of Applied Science has been presenting the IU Diversity Award twice a year since 2018. The IU Diversity Award jury consists of a ten-person team of employees from various departments. IU students from Germany and abroad have the opportunity to submit their bachelor's or master's theses. In 2024, Felix Würkner from Berlin and Melissa Ockelmann from Hamburg received this prestigious award. While Felix Würkner impressed with a cross-media campaign for gender and sexual diversity to prevent homophobia and transphobia, Ockelmann addressed the topic of inclusion in old age and presented a queer-sensitive mission statement for open senior citizen work. The IU Diversity Award aims to contribute to raising public awareness of the research field of diversity and carries a prize of 500 euros. Further information on equality and diversity at IU can be found at: https://www.iu.de/en/university/diversity
 

From 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Germany's largest university will host two rounds of exciting short presentations by regional companies and former dual students. The first round will start at 1:45 p.m., the second at 3:15 p.m. The focus will be on the tourism, business administration and marketing industries. Speakers include JTC Hotelberatung, the event agency ‘D.Live’, the tour operator ‘Phoenix-Reisen’ and the ‘EN-Agentur’ for economic development and tourism in the Ennepe-Ruhr district.

The event will be accompanied by an in-house exhibition. Companies will introduce themselves at meet & greet stands and provide information about dual training positions. Prospective students will gain insights into the diverse career opportunities and study options available and have the chance to talk directly to potential partners.

A dual study programme offers great advantages for both companies and students

A dual study programme pays off for both sides: companies gain qualified specialists at an early stage, whom they can train in a practical manner and retain in the long term. Students, in turn, benefit from a close transfer of theory and practice, financial independence and excellent entry opportunities into their professional careers. As a rule, the dual study programme is free of charge for them, as the practical training company usually covers the costs.

At the ‘IU Level-Up!’ event, both sides can gain first-hand experience from the perspective of companies and students.

The event is free of charge.
Registration is requested.

Registration for prospective students

https://www.iu.de/beratung/veranstaltungen/?eventCategory=IU+Weitere+Veranstaltungen

Registration for companies

https://forms.office.com/e/UE1H9ADttH

Programme highlights

1:30 p.m.: Welcome and opening

1:45–2:45 p.m.: Short presentations by regional companies
accompanied by alumni who work at these companies

2:45–3:00 p.m.: Break

3:15–4:15 p.m.: Short presentations by regional companies (repeat)
accompanied by alumni who work at these companies

Parallel to the stage programme: In-house exhibition
Regional companies present themselves and dual training opportunities.

Speakers

• Jörg Tittnack (JTC Hotelberatung)
• Lilian Petersen (event agency ‘D.Live’)
• Sophie Jütte (‘EN-Agentur’, agency for economic development and tourism in the Ennepe-Ruhr district)
• Prof. Dr. Steffen Spiegel (‘Phoenix-Reisen’, tour operator for cruises, river cruises and trips to the Orient)
   

Venue

IU International University of Applied Sciences
Düsseldorf Campus
Hildebrandtstr. 24c
40512 Düsseldorf

Diversity is a driver for innovation, quality and efficiency

The aim of IU was not only to conduct the discourse on equality in the construction industry, but also to make it visible in the public space – through lectures, dialogue formats, and a temporary dialogue kiosk at Rindermarkt. The first day already demonstrated the great interest in the topic: Numerous guests from practice, academia, and the public engaged in lively discussions about structural barriers, personal experiences, and sustainable strategies for a more equal opportunity planning environment.

The second day of the event was devoted to the question: "What does it actually take to achieve equal opportunities in the construction industry?" Interdisciplinary teams conducted workshops addressing topics such as the gender pay gap, leadership positions, career access, and funding structures. Key questions addressed were: How do construction projects benefit from diverse teams? What scientific evidence is available on this topic? How can equality be specifically promoted - at universities and in professional practice?

What is the common vision of a fair-opportunity construction industry?

The background is clear: Over 60 per cent of architecture students are female. Yet, according to Statista, the proportion of practicing female architects is only 34.1 per cent in 2024. In academic teaching, only 27 per cent of professorships were held by women in 2023, leadership positions in architecture and construction companies are two-thirds male-dominated - and the wage gap between male and female architects persists. And there's a lack of awareness that building culture must work for everyone, regardless of gender, generation, or professional group.

Diversity is a key success factor for projects and companies

"The numbers speak for themselves. But even more crucial for us is the potential: Diverse planning teams demonstrably produce better results – they work more efficiently, more innovatively, and more socially sensitively. Research that takes a multi-perspective approach is published more frequently and is therefore more relevant. Construction processes that are developed in a mixed-gender and, above all, intergenerational manner shape a building culture for ALL," says project leader Prof. Dr Bettina-Maria Müller, Professor of Architecture at IU in Munich. "Therefore, we see it as our educational mission to continue to promote this discussion and actively involve students in the necessary transformation processes."

With its participation in the WIA Festival 2025, IU Munich sent a strong signal – for greater visibility, for critical reflection and for structural change in architecture and urban planning – both in practice and in teaching.

The evaluation of the workshop results is currently in progress. The resulting manifesto will be published afterward and will be made available to interested parties upon request.

We thank our participating students, our guests and other supporters:

• Annette Hilpert, Head of Urban and Regional Development, Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria
• Prof. Dr. Kathrin Grewolls, Managing Director of BSKT GmbH
• Anne Tischer, founder and chairwoman of WOMEN! LEADERSHIP (F!F) Initiative of the German real estate industry for more women in leadership positions
• Helena Heilig, Helena Heilig Photography
   

Organizer

IU International University of Applied Sciences
dual study programme in architecture at the Munich location
https://www.iu-dualesstudium.de/standorte/muenchen/  
 

Project team

• Project management: Prof. Dr-Ing. Bettina-Maria Müller
• IU Civil Engineering programme, Prof. Dr-Ing. Susanne Hüttner
• IU students of the 8th semester in the BA Architecture
• bmquadrat | Architecture + Design
• Ruffinihaus Creative Hub, Creative Munich

Further information about the project: bettina-maria.mueller@iu.org

LET'S TALK TRANSFORMATION

Thursday, 26 June, 2025 | LET'S TALK ENCOUNTER I
On the Rindermarkt, 80331 Munich

8 – 10 a.m. | Construction of the "Equality in Architecture" dialogue kiosk at Rindermarkt – a publicly accessible design-build project by IU students

10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Open dialogue with invited guests and passers-by on equal opportunities and diversity in the construction industry
 

Friday, 27 June, 2025 | LET'S TALK ENCOUNTER II
Ruffinihaus Creative Hub, 1st floor, Sendlinger Str. 1, 80331 Munich

2 p.m. – 6 p.m. | Interdisciplinary mentoring and networking forum – with personal conversations, mini-coaching sessions, and discussions with leading women from architecture, urban development, and the real estate industry

 
Friday, 27 June, 2025 | LET'S TALK MOVIE
Ruffinihaus Creative Hub, 1st floor, Sendlinger Str. 1, 80331 Munich

from 6 p.m. | Film screening with collected statements and impressions – followed by a moderated discussion on the topic: “Increasing efficiency through diversity – Why diverse teams build better” including scientific studies on the added value of mixed teams
 

ABOUT WOMEN IN ARCHITECTURE: WIA FESTIVAL 2025

From June 19 to 29, 2025, numerous events throughout Germany highlighted the achievements of female planners and the topic of diversity in building culture. WIA 2025 strengthens the visibility of women in building culture nationwide and positions them as driving forces in public discourse, enabling them to network with each other and with politics, the media, and society, and leverage synergies. In addition to regional chambers of architects, associations, foundations, architectural firms, universities, cities, and initiatives are also involved in the WIA Festival. A total of 265 projects from over 200 participants offered diverse perspectives and sent a strong message for equality and diversity in building culture, which affects everyone - not just planners. The IU is part of this nationwide network. More information at: https://wia-festival.de/

Further information and sources

https://yesweplan.eu/  
https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/37278/umfrage/geschlechterverteilung-bei-architekten/   https://de.statista.com/statistik/daten/studie/160365/umfrage/professoren-und-professorinnen-an-deutschen-hochschulen/  
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-022-03534-9  
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/10591478241260723
https://www.forschung-und-lehre.de/forschung/gemischte-teams-forschen-besser-4971  
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12144-022-03534-9

On the first day, renowned architects and theorists will provide insights into today's topics and the visions of tomorrow in short-term lectures – from Hamburg neighborhoods to glass palaces to urban culture between past and future. The subsequent panel discussion, "Architecture as it is in books," invites participants to reflect together on the significance of printed architectural works and the value of sustainable building culture. The subsequent get-together will provide ample time for discussion with the speakers and guests in a relaxed atmosphere and to examine current projects by IU dual-degree students in architecture.

On the second day, experts from a wide range of fields will come together, in keeping with the interdisciplinary approach. Practical training opportunities will be presented, and participants will discuss how to better master challenges in everyday work. An exclusive live discussion on cultural marketing with industry professionals such as Niko Backspin, Chief Cultural Officer at Serviceplan Culture, will offer new perspectives and inspiration. Students will present their best marketing concepts and media design projects. The Meet & Connect event will provide an opportunity to make new contacts in the civil engineering industry.

The event's namesake and venue is Waterloohain, a traditional yet vibrant square in the heart of Hamburg that, like no other, represents diversity, exchange, and the creative pulse of urban community. It is precisely there that IU is creating an open space for dialogue, innovation, and inspiration around architecture, education, design, and social interaction with the event "Culture at Waterloohain."

The event is free of charge.

Registration is not required, but can be done via the following links:

Day 1 | June 12, 2025: 6 p.m. - approx. 9 p.m.
https://www.eventbrite.de/e/kultur-am-waterloohain-tag-1-tickets-1357111068739  

Day 2 | June 13, 2025: 4 p.m. - approx. 8 p.m.
https://www.eventbrite.de/e/kultur-am-waterloohain-tickets-1343872822789

Programme highlights Day 1

6:00 pm admission

6:25 pm Welcome & Introduction

• and opening of the exhibition of architectural projects by IU students

6:30 PM Short lectures (Pecha Kucha method)

• “Shaping Hamburg Neighborhoods”
  Prof. Olaf Bartels, architectural theorist, IU Hamburg
• “Palazzi the vetro. 1989 – 2001”
  Prof. Hendrik Gruß, Dipl.-Ing. Architect, Beissert and Gruss, IU Hamburg
• “Cairo's Pflaster Casts”
  Prof. Luc Merx, Rococo relevance, Architecture Academy Maastricht
• “Cottbus, Chosebuz, Urban Planning and Building Culture”
  Prof. Heinz Nagler, Nagler & Dieck, BTU Cottbus
• “Architectural achievements of late historicism”
  Prof. Dr. Christian Rabl, publicist, Salzburg

approx. 7:45 pm panel discussion

• "Architecture as it appears in books. A plea for the printed work."
  Phillis Dutschke, IU dual student in the 8th semester
  Kristina Möhring, architect and founder of FARLAN

afterwards: Get Together
 

Programme highlights Day 2

4:00 pm Welcome

4:05 pm – approx. 6:00 pm

• Slot 1: Presentation of future training opportunities for companies and practice partners
  Prof. Dr. habil. Thorsten Sühlsen, Professor of Social Work at IU
  among others on professional topics such as mastering difficult situations, building motivation in clients, self-regulation, moderating teams, knowledge management in organisations
• Slot 2 “De/Coding Culture”: Live discussion about cultural marketing
  Niko Backspin, Chief Cultural Officer and Managing Partner at Serviceplan Culture
  Prof. Dr. Lars-Peter Linke, Professor of Communication & PR at IU

4:30 / 5:30 / 6:30 pm Presentation of semester projects
of the dual IU study programme in media design
Prof. Fabian Niemann, Professor of Media Design at IU
Prof. Stan Skolnik, Professor of Media Design at IU

Parallel: “Marketing meets culture”
Exhibition the best marketing concepts from IU students

Parallel: “Building Connections”
Meet & Connect for civil engineers
Prof. Dr. Halil Kiziltan, Professor of Civil Engineering at IU

Venue

IU Campus Hamburg, Waterloohain 9, 22769 Hamburg, Germany

Vistors to the cinema expected an impressive programme: a wide variety of moving image projects by IU students from all over Germany were shown. Everything from short films and documentaries to music videos, commercials and image films to computer-generated animations was represented.

The graduates spent over a year developing the concepts and production planning for their projects. The final films were created in just a few months as part of their final thesis. Their approaches were extremely diverse: While some realised large-scale live-action productions using traditional dramaturgy, others relied on experimental forms of expression or motion graphics and 3D animation. The young filmmakers acquired the necessary know-how during their dual studies at IU locations such as Berlin, Dresden, Stuttgart, and Nuremberg. By combining theory at the university with 20 hours of practical work per week at a partner company, they developed into true professionals in their field in around three and a half years.

The cinema event marked the celebratory conclusion of this creative journey – and a fantastic opportunity for networking: students, industry professionals, and interested parties came together for discussion. The highlight was the audience voting for the best project at the end. The neon-coloured (typical of IU)  trophy went to the elaborately produced short film ‘Solace’ by Hannes Berthold, closely followed by Julian Dreher's commercial ‘Bis zum letzten Bissen’ (Until the Last Bite) and the CGI trailer ‘Aftermath’ by Manuel Strack.

Excerpt from the programme

• Tim Höher : "Does AI need a break?" | Animation: A visual journey into the world of algorithms | 1:47 min | Virtual IU Campus
• Hannes Berhold : "Solace" | Short film: In a post-apocalyptic world, a speech-impaired grandfather and a young boy fight for survival | 10:34 min | IU Dresden
• Julian Dreher : "To the Last Bite" | Humorously exaggerated commercial for a pizza delivery service | 1:00 min | Munich 
• Niklas Heck: "Your Adventure at Agapedia" | Image film for the children's centres of a foundation for social work and education | 3:06 min | IU Stuttgart
• Jochen Marksteiner : "The Silent Conquerors" | Animated explainer video on invasive species in Germany | 6:15 min | IU Freiburg
• Clara Günther : "Mymoria" | Short film about escaping into other people's memories | 8:47 min | IU Bielefeld
• Matthias Werr : "Balkon" | Official music video for the post-pop duo Flur | 5:25 min | IU Nuremberg
• Luisa Eesmann : "Fast | Slow" | Experimental short film that explores the contrast between overstimulated, digital fast-paced life and a decelerated, mindful reality | 1:30 min | IU Berlin
• Sophie-Charlotte Britze and Tina Helleken: "The Unique Characters of German Cities" | The short film shows Dresden, Berlin, and Hamburg in a visual journey | 10:18 min | IU Dresden
• Jannik Winkelhake: "Hardcore" | Documentary about the phenomenon of hardcore music | 13:00 min | IU Hannover
• Manuel Strack: "Aftermath" | CGI trailer for a sci-fi action adventure | 2:26 min | IU Bielefeld
• Bianka Nagy: "Beyond Blue" | Underwater Photography | IU Nuremberg
• Bennet Flade: "Café Mehrwert – A Place by & for Everyday Heroes" | Documentary image film about an innovative café | 7:41 min | Virtual IU Campus

Organisation: Prof. Daniela Reuß | Prof. Joern Zielke | Prof. Till Maiß

ABOUT THE MEDIA DESIGN PROGRAMME

In the dual degree programme in media design at IU International University of Applied Sciences, students learn how to design content creatively and appropriately for their target audience – whether analog, digital, or cross-media. The programme combines technical know-how with creative thinking. Topics such as web design, video editing, app development, typography, and printing technologies are covered, as are cross-media concepts. Starting in the first semester, students work on projects for their own design portfolio. Depending on their specialisation, they develop expertise in interaction or cross-media design. Business administration principles are also part of the curriculum – practical, future-oriented, and industry-relevant. Artificial intelligence has also become an integral part of numerous courses – both as a design tool (e.g., for text and image generation) and as a topic of discussion in the context of ethical and design issues. Further information can be found at: https://www.iu.de/bachelor/mediendesign/duales-studium/

ABOUT THE DUAL STUDY PROGRAMME AT IU

Theory meets practice: In the dual study programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences, students gain valuable professional experience in a company of their choice while studying. The split-week model alternates between practical work and lectures. The theoretical component can be completed flexibly on-site at one of the campus locations throughout Germany or online on the virtual campus. This allows them to enter the professional world while still studying. Further information is available at: https://www.iu.de/duales-studium/  

Hamburg, 14 April 2025. When Edoardo Bianchini opens his exhibition on the Hamburg campus of IU International University of Applied Sciences on 17 April, he will not only be showing his art, but also how barriers can be overcome. The architecture student, who has been paralysed from the neck down after a serious accident in 2023, will present 50 of his works – all drawn by mouth. 

The exhibition on the ground floor of the IU location at Waterloohain 9 in Eimsbüttel combines Edoardo's personal story with his architectural expertise. “In architecture, accessibility is often suppressed – an issue that people want to quickly check off. But as someone who is affected, I can best understand the requirements for an inclusive building,” explains the student, who is about to complete his dual studies. The pictures are not presented in the traditional way on a wall, but unconventionally on a construction fence – a deliberate design decision that fits the architectural context. In addition to the drawings, printed T-shirts from Edoardo's ‘DODO.’ collection will also be on display. 

The exhibition includes 30 architecture-related drawings from his bachelor's thesis. Bianchini has also written a book to accompany the exhibition entitled ‘Breaking Barriers. Rethinking Architecture’. Its central theme is how much our environment is shaped by normative perspectives – and how conventional design excludes people with different physical abilities. His artworks raise questions: How could a sofa be designed that is just as usable and aesthetic for wheelchair users? Or how does one's view of architecture change when one applies the tape measure from a different perspective? “As a wheelchair user, I can't just quickly sit down on a chair. The effort is enormous. We need to rethink design.” 

Architecture professor Heiner Stengel encouraged Bianchini to exhibit his art on the IU campus: “Edoardo's work offers a completely new perspective on architecture-related design and aesthetics. His art makes barriers visible that remain hidden to many.” 

Thanks to the support of various departments at IU, Bianchini was able to continue his studies after the accident. IU adapted exam requirements and developed individual solutions to enable the student to continue his education. 

The vernissage on 17 April is open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. and offers the opportunity to talk to the artist. The exhibition will be on display until the end of May. 

Registration for press representatives is welcome by email to: 

presse@iu.org 

Contact for interview requests: 

Julian Vetten 
PR Manager Faktor 3 (agency) on behalf of IU 
+49 1577 47 283 87 

Exhibition venue: 

IU International University of Applied Sciences, Hamburg Campus, Waterloohain 9 (ground floor) 
https://www.iu-dualesstudium.de/standorte/hamburg/ 

About Edoardo Bianchini: 

https://www.dodopunto.de/über-mich

Erfurt, 12 March 2025. IU International University of Applied Sciences, Germany's largest university with over 130,000 students, is presenting the IU Spirit Award for the second time. The award honours outstanding student work and projects in dual studies that are particularly innovative, practice-oriented and at the cutting edge of current research. Projects from eleven different degree programmes were submitted for the IU Spirit Award 2025. These are the winners:

Anna Glaubitz from Berlin receives jury prize for her women's protection app ‘asone’

The jury prize for the IU Spirit Award 2025 goes to Anna Glaubitz. The graduate of the dual study programme in media design at the IU campus in Berlin was honoured for her app project ‘asone’, which she developed in collaboration with her practice partner femtis GmbH. The smartphone application is designed as a protective app to guard against violence in partnerships and to help prevent femicides. Every day in Germany, a woman is the victim of an attempted murder by her partner or ex-partner. Every three days, this crime is successful.

Anna Glaubitz's goal was to create an application that provides discreet support to women at risk. Disguised as a period app, a link takes those affected to the actual asone application, where they can seek help anonymously or using a name of their choice. The idea for the app includes measures to overcome previous hurdles such as language barriers or a lack of accessibility, as well as to improve mental support.

“We chose to award the prize to ‘asone’ by Anna Glaubitz because she uses her design skills to develop an innovative idea for discreet, low-threshold help, while deliberately avoiding previous hurdles for victims of domestic violence. Anna's courage in tackling such a distressing but socially highly relevant problem is impressive and we are honouring it with the jury prize,” said Prof. Dr Lisa Unterberg, jury member, professor of social work and deputy pro-rector for dual studies at IU International University of Applied Sciences. 

asone should not remain just an idea, but should be brought to life in the future. Anna Glaubitz is currently looking for investors and is passionately committed to making the app available to those affected.

Learning more efficiently with AI: Johannes Haberlah from Hamburg wins the audience award for ‘Smart Flashcards’

The winner of the audience award of the IU Spirit Award 2025 is Johannes Haberlah from the dual study programme in computer science at IU campus in Hamburg. He convinced his fellow students in an online presentation of his project ‘Smart Flashcards’ and received the most votes for it.

Smart-Flashcards.com is an innovative web app that makes studying easier for students. With the help of artificial intelligence, the platform automatically creates flashcards from documents such as lecture notes. Modern spaced repetition algorithms make learning particularly effective and long-lasting. AI-generated hints also support the learning process by providing targeted food for thought. Thanks to an optimised user interface, Smart-Flashcards.com can be conveniently used on all devices – create flashcards on your laptop and continue learning in bed on your smartphone. All data, including learning progress and flashcards, are stored securely on German cloud servers. Smart-Flashcards.com is already available online and can be tested free of charge.

“Johannes Projekt is characterised by an innovative approach that combines modern algorithms with artificial intelligence and specifically integrates learning theory into its implementation. This not only enables sustainable learning, but also makes a significant difference in practice by using AI to make work noticeably easier. The innovative, practice-oriented project not only convinced us as the jury, but obviously also the audience,” said Prof. Dr Peter Neumann, chairman of the jury and professor of tourism economics at IU.

About the dual study programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences

In the dual study programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences, students gain practical experience in a company in their region alongside the theory in lectures and seminars. In the split week time model, students can directly apply and test the knowledge they have learned. They complete the theoretical part either in the traditional way on site at one of the campus locations throughout Germany, via online teaching or location-independently at the virtual campus. A high proportion of practical work experience, including within the teaching, ideally prepares students for their entry into the world of work. Further information is available at: https://www.iu.de/duales-studium/

About the IU Spirit Award

IU International University of Applied Sciences has been presenting the IU Spirit Award annually since 2024. The five-member jury currently consists of Prof. Dr Peter Neumann (Professorship of Tourism Business), Prof. Dr Hendrik Hubbertz (Professorship of Mechanical Engineering), Prof. Dr Lisa Unterberg (Professorship of Social Work), Prof. Dr Felix Wölfle (Professorship of Tourism Business) and Prof. Dr Florian Hummel (Pro-Rector of Dual Studies). Students in dual study programmes at IU have the opportunity to submit individual or group work – including across degree programmes and/or campuses – as recognition for particularly innovative, creative and practice-oriented work or projects. The audience award is selected through an online pitch. Each finalist will have the opportunity to present their project using the ‘Pecha Kucha method’, after which the audience will vote online. The IU Spirit Award is presented in honour and memory of former Vice-Rector Prof. Dr Patrick Geus as an innovation prize and is endowed with a prize money of 500 euros.

In this playful way, the children familiarised themselves with topics relating to science, technology, engineering and mathamatics (= STEM), an area in which there is still a great need for skilled workers.

“The earlier and more positive the access to STEM topics, the more likely it is that children will develop a more open and interested attitude towards this field and later choose a STEM profession,” says Prof. Dr Annette Schneider, Professor of Childhood Education at IU. She came up with the idea for the experimentation day and implemented it together with her students. “It's a great project that offers our future childhood educators real practical relevance and with which we can jointly contribute to early STEM promotion, which should be expanded even further in the Ulm area,” adds the professor. In one of her surveys, she found that only less than 10 per cent of daycare centres still offer STEM projects. A decline that she would like to counteract with passion and commitment.

This was the second time that Prof. Dr Schneider had processed the experimentation day with a group of students. 14 dual students from the IU's Childhood Education study programme were able to plan, design and implement the project independently. In various teams, they took care of the room concept, time management, materials and finances, marketing and overall project coordination. The selection and preparation of the experiments was also part of their project. On the day itself, they guided the children through the various experiments, imparted knowledge and reflected on their experiences and findings afterwards in a scientific protocol. As there was already a great deal of interest last year, the students processed this year's experimentation day in two rounds. The first group started in the morning, the other in the afternoon.

For both the children and the students, the experimentation day was great fun with a lasting effect. There was also great gratitude on the part of the professionals at the participating daycare centres. “Unfortunately, we can't process something like this on this scale ourselves at our centre, so we think it's great that IU is offering this experiment day free of charge,” said several of them.

Professor Schneider would like to establish the project as a permanent part of her study programme and preferably process it several times a year in order to give as many children as possible in Ulm access to the STEM field. “However, this would require cooperation partners or sponsors who would like to expand this programme with us,” says Schneider, who is happy to receive interested enquiries at annette.schneider@iu.org.

About the dual study programme at IU

In the dual study programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences, students gain practical experience in a company in their region alongside theory in lectures and seminars. Students can apply and test the knowledge they have learnt directly in the split week or alternating weeks. They complete the theoretical part either in the traditional way on site at one of the campus locations across Germany, via online teaching or from any location on the Virtual Campus. A high proportion of practical work within the programme prepares students ideally for their entry into working life. Further information at: https://www.iu.de/duales-studium/

All information on the dual study programme Childhood Education can be found at: https://www.iu.de/bachelor/kindheitspadagogik/duales-studium/

In order to ensure that studies run smoothly, IU will retain lecture rooms and offices on the campus in Bad Honnef until 30 September 2026. Until then, students can also keep their rooms in the halls of residence on the premises. The approximately 100 employees of IU International University of Applied Sciences at the Bad Honnef site will be partially taken over by Alanus University or moved to the neighbouring IU campus in Bonn.

Dr Carmen Thoma, managing director of IU International University of Applied Sciences: "I am delighted that we have been able to find a university to continue campus operations in Bad Honnef in the form of Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences. This means that the city and region will retain an important educational institution and we will be able to give our international students enough time to move to neighbouring locations. I would also like to thank Alanus University for its willingness to take on some of our staff in Bad Honnef and for giving us the opportunity to look after our students at the campus for another year."

“We are very excited about this fantastically developed campus,” explains Michael Schröder, managing director of Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences. “It will provide Alanus University with exciting new development opportunities. We will work on a sustainable and future-oriented concept for this location until IU has finally moved out.”

The Bad Honnef campus was the founding campus of IU. It was here that the former IFH (International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef/Bonn) began its studies in 2000, specialising in tourism and hospitality. Today it is called IU International University of Applied Sciences and, with around 130,000 students at 38 locations, is the largest university in Germany.

ABOUT ALANUS UNIVERSITY OF ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

The Alanus University of Arts and Social Sciences in Alfter near Bonn is a private, state-recognised art university with the right to award doctorates in the field of educational science. The university combines bachelor's and master's degree programmes in the fields of architecture, fine arts, acting, eurythmy, art therapy, education, business administration and philosophy. An essential part of the educational concept is the encounter between art and science, as well as the opportunity to look beyond one's own field of study: all students attend the interdisciplinary and cross-year study programme. In addition to the location in Alfter, there has also been a study centre in Mannheim since August 2014. Around 1600 students are currently enrolled. www.alanus.edu

“Felix's work impressively demonstrates how media can be used creatively to reduce interpersonal prejudices and make queer life realities more visible,” said Nicola Schmidt-Geheb, equal opportunities officer at IU. 

A personal project close to his heart 

As someone who identifies as part of the LGBTQIA+ community, Felix Würkner is well aware of the obstacles and challenges that people can face, both as adolescents and as adults. “Queer children and young people need more support, representation and visibility,” says Würkner. “With my work, I want to make a small contribution to reducing homophobia and transphobia.” 

For his bachelor's thesis, Felix Würkner conducted interviews with six queer people from Berlin. Their stories are at the heart of the campaign – six different life backgrounds, six different sexualities, six different gender identities and many different reactions they have experienced in dealing with their fellow human beings. Emotional, profound and enlightening.

“The results of my research show how important it is to start education early on – for both young people and adults,” explains Würkner. Surveys at Berlin educational institutions, for example, have shown that there is a need for action here to give teachers in particular more confidence in dealing with queer topics. Awareness workshops and information brochures could help here. Digital and social media, which are used primarily by younger people, would in turn create visibility and representation. Accordingly, Würkner designed his #ColourFueledHearts concept for many different media channels. 

With the IU Diversity Award, IU honors not only Würkner's scientific achievements but also his commitment to greater tolerance in society. 

From theory to the world wide web 

Würkner implemented the cross-media campaign, which was initially developed fictitiously, before he had even completed his studies. The content produced can be seen on Instagram and YouTube under the hashtag #ColourFueledHearts and is free to share.

One special aspect of his work is that Würkner tried to integrate queer influences into almost all areas of his work. For example, the campaign logo was inspired by the works of the American gay graphic designer Kyle Letendre. Its color scheme is based on the colors of the trans flag. The color gradient underscores the idea that gender and sexuality are a kind of spectrum and that there is more than just black and white. In addition to his queer interview partners, Würkner also worked with a queer photography student who helped with the implementation. “I even developed a custom font for the project, which I put together from letters from children to their parents, including mine, to bridge the gap between content and design here as well,” says Würkner. 

Links to the videos & campaign content:  
https://www.instagram.com/colourfueledhearts 
https://www.youtube.com/@ColourFueledHearts  
 

About Felix Würkner 

Felix Würkner is 34 years old and has been living in Berlin for five years. Before his studies, he gained experience in various creative professions, worked as a dancer for several years and now works as a graphic designer in an advertising agency. A dual study programme in his early 30s gave him the opportunity to further his education in his favorite industry and gain practical experience in his company at the same time. At IU, he studied in a split week model – two days at the university, three days at the company – and was thus able to apply his new knowledge directly. With his passion for creative projects, he is pursuing the goal of gaining a foothold in the advertising industry as an art director. As the uncle of a little nephew and a little niece, he wants nothing more than “[...] that the two grow up to be open and enlightened people who don't have to fear the fear of rejection if they ever realize that they feel a little ‘different’.” 

About the IU Diversity Award 

The IU International University of Applied Sciences has been presenting the IU Diversity Award twice a year since 2018. In 2024, in addition to Felix Würkner, IU graduate Melissa Ockelmann from Hamburg also received the prestigious award. In her bachelor's thesis, she addressed the topic of inclusion in old age and presented a queer-sensitive model for open work with senior citizens. The jury of the IU Diversity Award consists of a team of ten employees from different departments. IU students from Germany and abroad have the opportunity to submit their bachelor's or master's theses. The IU Diversity Award aims to contribute to increasing public awareness of the research field of diversity and is endowed with a prize of 500 euros. Further information on equality and diversity at the IU can be found at: https://www.iu.de/en/university/diversity/

About the dual study programme in media design 

In the dual bachelor's programme in media design at IU, students learn how to creatively convey information and messages. It covers both analog and digital content preparation and delivery, equipping students with knowledge of relevant tools and strategies. Students become experts in web design, cross-media strategies, video editing, and app development, and gain insights into typography and printing technologies. For more information about the programme, visit: https://www.iu-dualesstudium.de/bachelor/mediendesign/

Hannover, 19 December 2024. How do students in Lower Saxony spend the Christmas season? Which travel destinations do they prefer? And what mode of transport would they choose if anything were possible? These and other questions were examined by dual study students in the Tourism Management programme as part of a research project at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) in Hanover. The results of the study, conducted in the module “Applied Market Research in Tourism” under the guidance of Prof. Dr Ina zur Oven-Krockhaus, provide insights into the travel behaviour of young people in Lower Saxony. 

Tradition prevails over wanderlust 

The results of the study show that Christmas remains a traditional celebration for students in Lower Saxony. More than half (52.7 per cent) of the respondents do not travel at Christmas but stay at home. For those who do travel, cities (31.7 per cent), destinations in colder regions (24.6 per cent) and visiting family (18.6 per cent) are the top three choices. Trips tend to be short, with 25.5 per cent lasting only 4 to 7 days. Longer trips are significantly less common among students. IU student Benita Kalms, who participated in the research project, explains: “Lectures and exams start immediately after Christmas, leaving students little time for extended trips during the festive season.” 

Faster, not greener travel 

Cars, whether their own or borrowed, are the preferred mode of transport for 77.7 per cent of respondents. Convenience and time-savings are the main decision factors. Sustainability, on the other hand, plays a subordinate role for many students when choosing a means of transport. Only 36.9 per cent opt to travel by train or public transport.

Nevertheless, the study shows, with a touch of humour, that innovative and futuristic mobility concepts spark great interest: “My students wanted to lighten up the survey and included a humorous additional question, which led to interesting results : 40.2 per cent of those surveyed mentioned teleportation as their dream mode of transport for the Christmas period, followed by Santa's sleigh with 24 per cent,” explains Prof. Dr Ina zur Oven-Krockhaus, head of the course. “This creative approach enlivened the lecture and students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with quantitative research.” 

Budget-conscious travel 

When planning their trips, students are influenced primarily by their personal financial situation. They are not particularly concerned about factors such as inflation, war or the global political situation. “With an average budget of 110 euros for a Christmas trip, it is clear that many of us either stay at home or prefer short, affordable trips for financial reasons,” says IU student Benita Kalms. “For those planning a longer trip, the average spend is 610 euros.” 

Students conduct practical research 

The research project is a prime example of how practice-oriented the study programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences is designed. The aim of the study was to collect scientifically sound data on a current topic, allowing participants to apply their theoretical knowledge of market research in practice. “We place great emphasis on enabling our students to gain research experience and experiment with innovative approaches,” stresses zur Oven-Krockhaus. 

With the research project, the prospective tourism experts were not only able to deepen their knowledge, but also to contribute to a current topic. 
 

ABOUT THE STUDY 

The research report ‘Travel behaviour of students at Christmas time’ was created by students of IU International University of Applied Sciences in Hannover. It examines questions regarding the destination, motivation and factors influencing the travel behaviour of students during the Christmas season. The results are based on a sample of 188 enrolled students at colleges and universities in Lower Saxony in the winter semester 2024/25 and are therefore not representative, but they do provide valuable insights into the topic. The survey took place between 22 and 29 November 2024. 

If you have any questions about the results, please contact Prof. Dr Ina zur Oven-Krockhaus by email: ina.zok@iu.org 

ABOUT THE TOURISM MANAGEMENT DEGREE PROGRAMME 

From sustainability to tech and AI in tourism, from managing hotels to marketing entire holiday regions – the Tourism Management degree programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences is the ticket to a varied and exciting career in the tourism industry. Solid business knowledge and a focus on customer contact and creating customer experiences on a digital future path enable the management of tourism businesses along the customer journey: travel inspiration, travel booking, transport, accommodation, destination and events. The Tourism Management bachelor's degree can be studied in different forms: as a dual study programme in 38 German cities, completely online via distance learning, or hybrid via myStudium. For more information, visit: https://www.iu.de/en/bachelor/tourismusmanagement/ 

"We chose Melissa Ockelmann's work because it shows how important it is to consider the needs of queer* seniors in social work. By creating queer*-sensitive guiding principles, she is setting new standards and making a significant contribution to raising awareness of queer* seniors as part of our society. Her work is an important step towards greater inclusion and respect for queer people," says Nicola Schmidt-Geheb, Equal Opportunities Officer at IU.

With her guiding principles, Ockelmann wants to provide professionals and managers for work in senior care with a fixed orientation framework and encourage them to open services and spaces for queer* senior citizens and anchor them institutionally. The guiding principles were developed on the basis of literature on queer theory, historical background and generational and age-related needs. " The guiding principles are intended to emphasise the importance of a queer* perspective in working with older people. It should specifically include the needs and lifestyles of queer* seniors and be geared towards them. The guiding principles form the basis for all further programmes and measures in senior work with queer* people," says Melissa Ockelmann.

Inspired by film festival about lesbian literature in Hamburg

The graduate was inspired by her participation in a queer* film festival in Hamburg that focussed on lesbian literature. The projects presented there, including "Älter werden unterm Regenbogen", sparked her interest in the needs of older queer* people. "I want to draw attention to the fact that there is hardly any space for queer* seniors and that institutions should deal with their history in order to create acceptance and safety," says Ockelmann, and continues: "My work aims to create institutional structures that support this. I want open institutions to address this issue and treat queer* people with openness and respect. Older generations should no longer have to hide. It should become a matter of course to support and value all people for who they are."

After dropping out of her first degree at a state university, Melissa Ockelmann decided to do a federal voluntary service at a children's and youth organisation. The practical work there inspired her so much that she then decided to do a dual study programme in social work at IU International University of Applied Sciences. She explains: "The dual study programme at IU was the perfect way to build on my federal voluntary service and gain further practical experience. My experience at a state university showed me that it wasn't as varied there. The concept of IU, two days of study and three days of practical work, convinced me. Especially in social work, it is important to gain practical experience right from the start. You can put what you've learnt directly into practice, which is worth so much."

In the dual study programme at IU, students gain practical experience in a company in the region alongside theory in lectures and seminars. The split-week time model allows students to directly apply and test the knowledge they have learnt. Students complete the theoretical part of the programme either in the traditional way on campus, via online teaching or from any location on the Virtual Campus.

IU as the largest academic training institution for social work

IU currently trains around 30,000 people in the field of health and social work and is the largest academic training centre for social work. Students can acquire in-depth knowledge and qualify for a variety of professions in the social sector through distance learning programmes (bachelor's, master's, MBA), dual study programmes and continuing education courses at the IU Academy.

About the IU Diversity Award

IU International University of Applied Sciences has presented the IU Diversity Award twice a year since 2018. The jury consists of a ten-member team of employees from various departments. IU students from Germany and abroad have the opportunity to submit their bachelor's or master's thesis. The IU Diversity Award is intended to help raise public awareness of the research field of diversity and is endowed with a prize of 500 euros. Further information on equality and diversity at IU can be found at: iu.de/hochschule/diversity-und-gleichstellung/

*The spelling "queer* people" is used to explicitly emphasise the diversity within the queer community. The asterisk (*) stands for a conscious openness and inclusion of different identities and orientations that fall under the term "queer".

Chemnitz, Germany, 16 May 2024 – Chemnitz is getting a new university. IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), the largest university in Germany, is moving into a new campus in the Chemnitz Wirkbau complex at Annaberger Straße 73. Starting in the winter semester of 2024/25, prospective students will be able to complete dual study programmes in marketing management, mechanical engineering, media design, social work or tourism management.

In IU’s dual study programme, students gain practical experience in a company in the region in addition to the theory in lectures and seminars - consisting of classic classroom teaching and virtual classroom teaching on campus - or location-independent of the virtual campus. In the split-week time model, students can directly apply and test their learned knowledge. All programmes can be started every three months. 

Practical partners in the region are, for example, companies from the electronics and telecommunications industry, hotels, price comparison portals, but also social institutions from child and youth education as well as the non-statutory welfare sector.

Thanks to the proximity to the city centre, the good accessibility and the diverse range of offers within the Wirkbau complex, IU has created an optimal prerequisite for making studying as good and pleasant as possible.

For the students themselves, the study programme is free of charge; the tuition fees are usually paid by the respective practice partner. The prerequisite for the degree programme is a general higher education entrance qualification or a technical college entrance qualification. A completed vocational training with two years of work experience is also recognised. IU does not impose a numerus clausus and instead promotes the individual talents and strengths of its students. 

Those interested in starting their studies in autumn are cordially invited to apply now. All information on the degree programmes and the application process can be found at www.iu-dualesstudium.de.
 

"I am delighted that we were able to hold the presentation of the final projects at the cinema for the first time. This allowed us to honour the enormous effort that the students had put into their work over the months. This unique location not only provided an inspiring backdrop, but also emphasised the creative achievement and innovative character of the projects in a special way," said Daniela Reuß, organiser of the event and Professor of Media Design at IU International University of Applied Sciences.

As part of the event's closing programme, an audience vote was held to honour the most outstanding project. The winner was the 13-minute short film "Angstsucht" by Lukas Beilenhoff, an IU graduate from Dortmund. This project dive deep into the importance of interpersonal relationships and at the same time addresses the issue of letting go of digital distractions. The film reflects sensitively on the increasing consumption of digital media and the associated effects, especially on young adults, who often suffer from the consequences. 

Lukas Beilenhoff sheds light on a specific form of anxiety disorder caused by excessive mobile phone use, known as nomophobia. At a time when the film industry is mainly focused on portraying socially established addictions such as drug and alcohol addiction, "Angstsucht" provides a much-needed visual platform to draw attention to the consequences of excessive digital consumption.

Prof Michael Heilgemeir, Professor of Media Design at the IU, says: “The presentation of the final projects was the highlight of the event, showcasing the impressive creative potential of our dual students in an impressive way. The unique combination of theoretical knowledge and practical experience enabled our graduates to develop innovative media projects of the highest quality. This event illustrates how crucial the dual study programme, with its regular alternation between theory and practice, is for the development of our students' creative potential.”

List of other theses and film projects

• "Trust Issues" - self-composed song and animated music video as an audiovisual synthesis of the arts by Salome Voosen, IU graduate at the Cologne location 
• "In Between" - Animated short about the change of human ignorance by Jan Schäfer, IU graduate at the Munich location
• "#SocialMe" - A campaign against social media addiction by Dennis Weiß, IU graduate at the Cologne location
• "Spark" - Animated short film about the impact of hope by Janek Lachmann, IU graduate at the Virtual Campus
• "Help" - A short film about accepting emotional help by Julian Höflmaier, IU graduate at the Munich location
• "Echte Helden, virtueller Sport: St. Pauli's Kiezkicker in eFootball" - documentary short film by Jonah Hollwege, IU graduate at the Hamburg location
• "Im Bann dunkler Magie" - A partially animated visual fantasy story for social media channels by Lena Maier, IU graduate at the Munich location
• "Back to Nature" - photo book and presentation in excerpts as a slideshow with voice over by Annalen Lucia Löffler, IU graduate at the Munich location
• "Pictures" - The visual design of emotions as a music video by Jari Kleist, IU graduate at the Hamburg location
• "Reestablishing connection" - A narrative short film with a look at loneliness in a digital age by Julian Antretter, IU graduate at the Munich location

About the media design programme

The dual degree programme in media design offers comprehensive training in the creative communication of information and messages. Students learn how to design and communicate content in both analogue and digital form and acquire knowledge of relevant tools and strategies. The degree programme includes expertise in web design, cross-media strategies, video editing and app development as well as insights into typography and printing technologies. The study programme enables students to harmoniously combine form and content and use the latest software tools professionally. It covers scientific, technical and design fundamentals and prepares students for a wide range of career opportunities in print, online, mobile media, photography, video, presentation and animation. From the very first semester, students work on projects for their design portfolio and, depending on their specialisation, gain expertise in cross-media design or interaction design as well as business knowledge. 

About the dual study programme at IU

In the dual study programme at IU, students gain practical experience in a company in their region alongside theory in lectures and seminars. Students can apply and test the knowledge they have learnt directly in the split week or alternating weeks. Students complete the theoretical part either in the traditional way on campus, via online teaching or from any location on the IU Virtual Campus.

Erfurt, Germany, 4 April 2024. Germany's largest university with over 130,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), is presenting the IU Spirit Award for the first time. This award recognises students on dual study programmes at IU who demonstrate their innovative spirit through courage and commitment. Be it through their innovative and creative projects or convincing theses, useful applications or impressive campaigns and initiatives that they have developed and implemented during their studies. Outstanding theses and projects that are particularly innovative, practice-oriented and at the cutting edge of current research findings are honoured. More than 40 entries from 13 different degree programmes were submitted for the IU Spirit Award 2024.

"LIFT Simulator" - A prototype for a physical and virtual lift model

IU Spirit Award winner 2024 (jury prize): Jonathan Siepmann

The jury prize for the IU Spirit Award goes to Jonathan Siepmann (Mechanical Engineering B.ENG.). The dual student from Dusseldorf was honoured for his pioneering "LIFT Simulator" project in collaboration with his practice partner TÜV Rheinland Industrie GmbH. 
 

With its LIFT simulator, Jonathan is setting new standards in the training and further education of lift maintenance specialists. The innovative lift model, which is based on the company's own headquarters, offers unique and practical training opportunities - both internally and for external companies. Career changers in particular benefit from this training opportunity. As there is no specific vocational training for this job, the LIFT simulator offers a unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge for day-to-day work and facilitate familiarisation. The project enables new employees to be trained in realistic situations on a model for handling lift systems. This allows them to get to know both the technical and organisational activities, which improves teamwork. Thanks to the use of the LIFT simulator in the home office, the project also contributes to sustainability and thus reduces carbon dioxide emissions. In addition, the LIFT simulator can be used at trade fairs or university events to attract potential new employees. Another important point is the use of the model for cyber security tests to protect lift systems in sensitive facilities such as hospitals from cyber-attacks. An innovative approach that skillfully implements current guidelines and standards and is forward-looking.

"We chose to honour Jonathan Siepmann's LIFT simulator because its unique combination of innovation and practical application is truly impressive and unprecedented in this field. It not only fulfils the clear need for training for specialist personnel, but also demonstrates future possibilities in mechanical engineering," says Prof. Dr. Peter Neumann, Chairman of the jury and Professor of Tourism Management at IU International University of Applied Sciences.

"I'm allowed to do that!" - A workshop: Everything children should know about their rights

IU Spirit Award winners 2024 (audience prize): Jasmin Saffari Esfahani and Elnara Valiyeva 

The winners of the audience prize at the IU Spirit Awards are graduates Jasmin Saffari Esfahani and Elnara Valiyeva from the Social Work B.A. programme. Their project "I’m allowed to do that!" addresses the ten most important rights of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and conveys these through an interactive workshop for fourth-grade pupils. The innovation of the project lies in its holistic approach, which not only conveys knowledge but also actively involves the target group in the design of the workshop. Creative methods such as guessing games, role-playing games and radio plays created by the students are combined with integrative and didactic techniques to promote a playful learning process. In line with the principles of empowerment, education and participation, the children learn how they can behave in a self-determined way, which democratic values are important and how they can stand up for their rights and successfully assert themselves.

An ideal cooperation partner was found thanks to outstanding collaboration and networking with Prof Dr Kemal Bozay, Professor of Social Work at IU and educational director of the organisation interKultur e.V. in Cologne. With the support of interKultur e.V., the project idea was successfully developed and implemented as a workshop. At the same time, IU graduates Jasmin and Elnara succeeded in asserting themselves with their project as part of the federal "Demokratie leben!" programme. As a result, they received support from the City of Cologne in the form of funding totalling around 5,000 euros. The workshop has already been implemented at six primary schools in Cologne and long-term cooperation is on the cards.

"What characterises this project by Jasmin and Elnara and obviously also convinced the audience is the creative and effective approach to communicating children's rights. They actively involve the pupils and manage to promote the learning process through playful methods. Such innovation and commitment to such a crucial area as children's rights education deserves our full recognition and support," said Prof. Dr. Regina Kostrzewa, jury member and Professor of Social Work at IU International University of Applied Sciences. 

About dual study programme at IU

The dual study programme at IU offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in their regional company in addition to theoretical lectures and seminars. This model allows students to apply their acquired knowledge directly into practice, either in a weekly rotation or a split-week model. The theoretical part of the study programme can be completed in different ways: traditionally on-site at the campus, through online teaching or also independently of a location via our virtual campus. 

About the IU Spirit Award

The IU International University of Applied Sciences presented the IU Spirit Award for the first time in 2024 and plans to present it annually. The six-member jury currently consists of Prof Dr Peter Neumann (Professorship in Tourism Management), Prof Dr Julia Hilgers-Sekowsky (Professorship in Marketing Management), Prof Dr Regina Kostrzewa (Professorship in Social Work), Prof Dr Felix Wölfle (Professorship in Tourism Management), Prof Dr Nicola Zech (Vice Rector Campus Studies) and Alexander Krösser (Chief Marketing Officer at IU). Students on dual study programmes at IU have the opportunity to submit individual or group work - also across degree programmes and/or campuses - in recognition of particularly innovative, creative and practice-oriented work or projects. The audience award will be selected as part of an online pitch. Each finalist will be given the opportunity to present their project using the "Pecha Kucha" method, followed by an online vote by the audience. The IU Spirit Award is presented as an innovation prize in honour and memory of the former Vice-Rector Prof Dr Patrick Geus and is endowed with a prize of 500 euros each for the jury award and the audience award.

Erfurt, Germany, 15 March 2024. While failure is now widely discussed in business and the start-up scene and is often seen as a chance, failure still seems to be a taboo subject in social work. Important principles such as "Leave no child behind!" or "Help must not fail!" lead to mistakes and problems being concealed rather than being taken as an opportunity for improvement. In the new anthology "Scheitern in Praxis und Wissenschaft der Sozialen Arbeit. Reflexions- und Bewältigungspraktiken von Fehlern und Krisen." 26 academics deal with failure as a challenge for social work. The editors of the anthology are Prof. Dr. Stefanie Kessler and Prof. Dr. Karsten König from IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU). Both hold a professorship in social work and, together with the authors of the anthology, highlight different dimensions of failure in practice and science.

"In social work, our strength does not lie in our fear of making mistakes, but in our ability to provide even better support to the people we work with on a daily basis. Every setback can also be an opportunity to critically question the approaches and concepts we use in practice and improve them based on feedback. This enables us to help people who need our support even better," says Dr. Stefanie Kessler, Professor of Social Work at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), Hanover.

Social work practice is particularly attentive to failure

Even though social work practice is particularly attentive to failure, questions remain unanswered: Why is it that social work is not able to come to terms with its own failure? Why is the competence of failure not brought into the current social debate, in which the failure of change processes seems omnipresent? Social work is particularly sensitive to when things go wrong in practice. Whether preventative or as a direct intervention, social work activities are geared towards overcoming crisis and problem situations. Many methods are aimed at preventing possible failure or dealing with situations that seem hopeless.

Social interaction with failure in practice and studies  

Six articles specifically address the taboo subject of failure in social work practice. The authors show that failure is still concealed and how difficult it is to admit one's own experiences of failure: It is considered a weakness to admit mistakes and it endangered the funding of measures and projects if failure is talked about. At the same time, it shows how students can learn to recognise failure and develop a positive failure culture.  

The anthology is the result of a symposium organised by Volkswagen Foundation, which took place in December 2022 at the Herrenhausen Palaces in Hanover.

About Social Work degree programme at IU

How do you mediate between family members in conflict? What are the requirements for granting asylum? How can people be supported in crisis situations? How can people with disabilities be given new perspectives? The dual study programme Social Work is dedicated to address these and many other questions. It is based on a sound scientific foundation and is particularly method-orientated. During the studies, students deal with the objectives, concepts, and structures of social work, immerse deep into the associated sciences and learn how to provide practical help - always case-related, realistic and resource-oriented. The study programme is also offered by IU as a distance learning programme. With over 20,000 active students, IU is the largest academic training provider in the field of social work.

About the editors

Prof. Dr. Stefanie Kessler, Professor of Social Work at IU International University of Applied Sciences in the dual study programme in Hanover. Main areas of research: Learning in and from organisations, political action and education in social work and schools as well as academic practice in social work. Contact: stefanie.kessler@iu.org

Prof. Dr. Karsten König, Professor of Social Work at IU International University of Applied Sciences in the dual study programme in Dresden. His work focuses on inclusive educational research from special schools to universities, social work in public spaces and empirical social work research and evaluation. Contact: karsten.koenig@iu.org    

Table of contents and reading samples as well as further information and material on the anthology „Scheitern in Praxis und Wissenschaft der Sozialen Arbeit. Reflexions- und Bewältigungspraktiken von Fehlern und Krisen.“ can be found here.

Erfurt, Germany, 26 November 2024. IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is opening its campus doors at all locations on 2 March from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - for anyone considering a dual study programme or myStudium at IU, as well as for regional companies looking for potential talent. Staff, lecturers and students at IU campuses will share their experiences with visitors and give an insight into what it's like to study at Germany's largest university. They explain how theory and practice can be ideally combined in the dual study programme, what flexible options myStudium offers and how varied the learning experience is at IU with digital tools, virtual lectures and face-to-face events.

In individual counselling sessions, prospective students can find out more about the career prospects that studying at IU opens and which study options complement each other perfectly. All campus facilities can be explored on guided tours. In addition to the informative part, various hands-on activities and competitions as well as snacks and drinks await visitors. Those who wish will receive a certificate of participation at the end.

About dual study programme at IU

The dual study programme at IU offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in a regional company in addition to theoretical lectures and seminars. This model allows students to apply their acquired knowledge directly into practice, either in a weekly rotation or a split-week model. The theoretical part of the study programme can be completed in different ways: traditionally on-site at the campus, through online teaching or also independently of a location via our virtual campus.

About myStudium at IU

The full-time programme with up to three professionally guided tutorials per week allows students maximum flexibility as it can be completed either on-site or virtually. What sets myStudium apart is the unique opportunity to change campuses every quarter and study at a different location. Through the integration of modern teaching methods such as videos, interactive scripts and the self-developed learning app 'IU Learn' in combination with small learning groups and experienced teachers from the field, students receive optimal support to study successfully and to meet their individual life situations preparing them optimally for the future working world.

Shaping the future with IU: The study benefits at a glance

• No numerus clausus: motivation is what counts here, not the grade point average. It is therefore possible to start your chosen degree programme at IU without a numerus clausus or entrance exam.
• Study in small groups: There are no overcrowded lecture rooms here! Instead, the programme takes place in small groups and in a personal atmosphere, which makes it possible to ask questions at any time, actively participate and benefit from a greater learning effect.
• Top-level quality: IU is a state-recognised and accredited private university. This recognition confirms the high quality of both the study programmes and the teaching.

All locations and registration at: https://www.iu.de/lp/iu-open-campus-event-24

Link to images and information flyer: Download ZIP

News and insights from the past year can be found on the IU Instagram and TikTok channels.

All information at a glance:

• IU Open Campus Event, Saturday, 2 March 2024, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., throughout Germany at all IU study locations and virtually
• Individual career and study counselling for the dual study programme and myStudium
• Guided campus tours
• Personal dialogue with students, lecturers and staff
• Taster events
• Competition and other cool activities
   

Erfurt, Germany, 7 November 2023. For the fourth time, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), the largest university in Germany, will present the IU Alumni Awards for exceptional careers, entrepreneurial success, sustainability and digital education projects of former students in the categories Professional Success, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability, as well as the Special Mention and Special Mention AI awards.

Category: Professional Success 
IU Alumni Award winner 2023: Stela Koleva 

The winner in the Professional Success category is Stela Koleva (M. A. General Management). The IU alumna from Prague has had a remarkable career within a very dynamic IT company and is now Vice President of a technology start-up:

Shortly after starting her management career as a supervisor at Concur - then still a start-up company that has since been acquired by SAP - she began her master's degree at IU. Within 5 years, she developed from the technical supervisor of a department with three employees to the strategic manager of a 300-strong team. She most recently served as both Vice President of SAP Concur Services and Support in the EMEA region for defining and implementing the EMEA support organisation, as well as Country Director for SAP Concur Czech for various branches in the Czech Republic with around 500 employees from up to 60 countries. Since May 2023, she has been Vice President Support and Services for Mews, a provider of technical hospitality systems. 

“With the award for Professional Success, we would like to honour Stela Koleva's steady career development within a growing IT company, especially with regard to our IU core aspects of flexibility and equality: She has managed to take on high management responsibility in a heavily male-dominated industry at an early stage, parallel to her distance learning programme”, the jury explained.

Category: Entrepreneurship 
IU Alumni Award winner 2023: Bastian Mahmoodi 

The IU Alumni Award 2023 in the category "Entrepreneurship" goes to IU alumnus Bastian Mahmoodi 
(B. A. International Management). With his business idea, he helps skilled workers migrate to Germany and places valuable talent from non-EU countries with small and medium-sized companies:

Based on the specially developed concept "Guided Immigration Made in Germany", the recruitment company VISABEE, founded by Bastian Mahmoodi in 2018, helps international talent from the medical sector to immigrate and find a job in Germany. VISABEE initially enables small and medium-sized companies to advertise jobs in VISABEE's international partner network and carries out an initial evaluation of applicants. As soon as employees and employers reach an agreement, VISABEE takes care of everything up until the arrival at the workplace - from the organisation of language courses via the partner Berlitz, to support in administrative matters. Soon, VISABEE plans to become active in the area of mobility in addition to its current focus on healthcare and to launch immigration concepts for professional drivers. A platform for simplified access for corporate customers is also being developed.

“By realising his business idea, Bastian Mahmoodi is building bridges between small and medium-sized companies and talented people from outside the EU, thereby helping to reduce the shortage of skilled workers in a socially very important area”, said the jury, explaining its decision.

Category: Sustainability 
IU Alumni Award winner 2023: Hendrik Marx-Altkuckatz 

This year's Sustainability Alumni Award goes to Hendrik Marx-Altkuckatz (M. A. Business Administration). The IU graduate drives projects in an internationally active company with a focus on the agriculture, construction and energy sectors that serve the goal of accelerating the decarbonisation of the group:

As part of BayWa's climate strategy, which is in his area of responsibility, he set up a system called "Internal Carbon Price" (ICO) together with the CFO, Controlling and other internal stakeholders, in which greenhouse gas emissions are priced internally. This calculated budget is used on an annual basis exclusively to finance measures that have a positive contribution to emissions, such as the switch to electric cars and more climate-friendly heating systems, various efficiency improvements to technical equipment, etcetera. The ICO is also used to calculate the carbon price. The special thing about this is that unlike other companies or the so-called "shadow price", they assign a direct monetary value to their emissions and reinvest them for a specific purpose. In this way, it has established a governance system that enables targeted investments throughout the Group and on the other hand, can ensure the fulfilment of the climate strategy. In addition, he is building up the business innovation "BayWa Carbon Services" as its head, which offers advice on implementing climate strategies and works with cooperation partners such as Siemens AG / SiGreen, CAS AG / Sust:ain Data, Vista GmbH and RSS - Remote Sensing Solutions GmbH.

"Hendrik Marx-Altkuckatz implements projects with a high sustainability claim and strong impact in a large company on an international basis", said the jury.

Category: Special Mention
IU Alumni Award distinction for Marcus Courvoisier

For the second time, IU is presenting the Special Mention award for a career in a field of work with a high social impact: 

this award goes to Marcus Courvoisier (B. A. Social Work), who took over the management of a youth centre immediately after completing his dual studies at a young age. After working as the Hamburg site manager of the daycare centre provider KMK kinderzimmer, he is currently in a management position as site manager at the Rudolf Ballin Foundation.

"With the Special Mention award, we would like to honour Marcus Courvoisier's rapid career and his professional commitment in an extremely important area for society", said the jury.

Category: Special Mention AI
IU Alumni Award distinction for Sven Steinert

For the first time, IU is presenting the Special Mention AI award for special projects in the field of artificial intelligence that aim to have a particular impact on our society: 

This award goes to IU graduate Sven Steinert (B. A. International Management), who, as Managing Director of his platform SUSTAINX, combines AI-based technology with collective intelligence from science and business in order to translate their sustainability ambitions into concrete measures. SUSTAINX is a sustainability platform and community with over 4,000 members that provides access to over 2,500 best practices and solutions, facilitates cross-functional collaboration in companies and enables cross-industry networking with sustainability thought leaders. The AI-based community solution offers members the possibility of structured knowledge transfer to find specific topics and suitable offers for solutions, to develop solutions together with other members and to discuss them - moderated by a specialist group for sustainability and consultants. 

"With his SUSTAINX platform, Sven Steinert is making an important contribution to promoting the networking of sustainability strategists and thus also the sustainable transformation in companies and institutions with the help of AI technology", said the jury.

Award ceremony in early 2024 

The Alumni Awards will be presented at the next virtual alumni event in the first quarter of 2024. As a prize, the award winners can choose a further training course from the wide range of courses offered by the IU Academy with a duration of up to four months full-time or eight months part-time.

About the IU Alumni Awards 

Since 2020, IU International University of Applied Sciences has been honouring special successes and projects of its graduates with the IU Alumni Awards. The members of the jury in 2023 are: Prof. Dr. Holger Sommerfeldt (Rector of IU), Prof. Dr. Anastasia Hermann (Member of the Rectorate) and Thorsten Pütsch (Director Communications at IU). 

More information on the IU Alumni Awards and all award winners can be found at:
iu.de/en/infos/alumni/alumni-award
 

Erfurt, Germany, 26 September 2023. Societal demands on agriculture have increased in recent years: ensuring food supply, animal welfare, increasing regulation and extreme weather events. The new degree programme in Agricultural Management (B.Sc.) at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) addresses these challenges. It teaches the technical basics of agriculture, systemic thinking and in-depth economic knowledge. This enables graduates to independently manage, develop and optimise production processes and operations in agriculture. 

Against the backdrop of growing challenges such as climate change, the supply of healthy and affordable food, animal welfare or drinking water protection, the new IU degree programme in Agricultural Management (B.Sc.) creates sustainable approaches to solutions to meet the increasingly diverse economic, social and political demands on agriculture. 

The aim of the study programme is to provide students with up-to-date knowledge to remain economically successful despite these challenges for agriculture. This involves, for example, the question of how synergy effects can be achieved by only fertilising as much as the plant can absorb and thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or how farm animals can be kept in a species-appropriate manner according to the latest standards. At the same time, the degree programme offers opportunities to combine sustainability and economic success, for example using state-of-the-art technologies such as AI or drones. 

The course is also aimed at those interested in the topic of nutrition

"Of course, we combine aspects such as biodiversity or material cycles in agro-ecosystems with intensive teaching of agricultural and economic basics to optimally prepare our students for various career paths. However, I am firmly convinced that the degree programme is not only suitable for farm managers with their own farms, for example. Rather, it appeals to many people, especially young people, who are generally interested in sustainability and nutrition," says programme director Prof. Dr. Robert Simon, Professor of Agricultural Management and Agricultural Economics at IU International University of Applied Sciences, emphasising the orientation of the bachelor's programme. 

The distance learning programme Agricultural Management (B.Sc.) at IU is one of the few agricultural economics programmes in Germany that are offered via distance learning. Using digital online formats and, among other tools, the use of a learning app, the programme teaches fundamental principles of modern agriculture as well as advanced economic expertise with a strong focus on management. 

The topics of sustainability, management and digitalisation are at the centre of the study programme, which lasts 36, 48 or 72 months, depending on the chosen time model: modules such as production management in agriculture, crop protection, precision farming, smart farming, and agricultural economics prepare students for later specialisation and the practical part of the study programme. In the further course of their studies, they can focus, for example, on agribusiness, animal management, resource management and material flow balancing, renewable raw materials in agricultural economics or artificial intelligence and programming. 

In three practical projects, students actively work in an agricultural business as well as in upstream or downstream areas (agricultural trade, production, industry) and can underpin the knowledge they have acquired in their studies with practical experience. 

Know-how for sustainable management in the agricultural sector 

"Agricultural management at IU not only deals with a socially relevant topic," explains Robert Simon. "It provides answers to pressing challenges in agriculture caused in particular by climate change and environmental problems." These include questions such as: What interactions exist in agricultural systems at local, regional and global levels? How do material cycles function in agro-ecosystems and what influence does the management of a farm have on natural cycles? How can energy be saved in production processes and how can land- and product-related greenhouse gas emissions be reduced? 

The development of future-oriented study programmes is a central concern of IU International University of Applied Sciences, which is the largest university in Germany with more than 100,000 students. With the bachelor's programme in Agricultural Management, IU is expanding its portfolio of flexible study models with another technology- and future-oriented programme. The programme imparts skills at the interface of technology, economy and ecology. It thus forms an essential basis for the expertise of specialists in a sector that is becoming increasingly important for society, for example, in ensuring the basic supply of food. 

Further information on the Agricultural Management (B.Sc.) degree programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences at: https://www.iu.de/en/bachelor/agrarmanagement/

Erfurt, Germany, 25 August 2023. IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), the largest university in Germany, has started a partnership with DEHOGA Sachsen e.V. (The Hotel and Restaurant Association of Saxony) from October 2023. This means that IU is gaining the third largest state association with over 1,200 members and potential practice partners for dual studies, alongside DEHOGA Lower Saxony and DEHOGA North Rhine-Westphalia. The aim of the cooperation is to recruit and train dual students for the hospitality and tourism industry.

The day of the cooperation, the Chief Executive Officer of DEHOGA Sachsen e.V., Mr. Axel Klein, visited the IU location in Dresden. “The cooperation with IU underlines our commitment to promoting education and strengthening the competitiveness of our members. We are confident that this partnership will help to further drive the future of our industry and open new opportunities for all participants. By closely integrating theory and practice during their studies, it allows students to bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to our companies. This collaboration encourages the creation and implementation of innovative concepts and solutions that will ultimately contribute to the sustainable growth of our industry.”

The cooperation includes various measures that go beyond simply reducing tuition fees. These include the joint publication of job advertisements, the organisation of events and excursions as well as the integration of employees from the partner companies into the teaching activities. This can be done through lectures, expert talks or as honorary lecturers.

About the dual study programme at IU

The dual study programme at IU offers students the opportunity to gain practical experience in a regional company in addition to theoretical lectures and seminars. This model allows students to apply their acquired knowledge directly into practice, either in a weekly rotation or a split-week model. The theoretical part of the study programme can be completed in different ways: traditionally on-site at the campus, through online teaching or also independently of a location via our virtual campus. More information on IU’s dual studies at: iu.de/en/dual-studies/.

Strong link between theory and practice 

In the dual study programme at IU, students gain practical experience in a local company alongside the theory in lectures and seminars on campus. In the time model of a split week or in weekly alternation, the students can thus directly apply and test their learned knowledge. They complete the theoretical part either classically on campus, via online teaching or location-independently on the virtual campus.

IU campus manager Andrea Bender is convinced: "The concept of dual studies is an absolute benefit for both students and companies, especially in times of a shortage of skilled workers. Especially for those who have just finished school, the close integration of theory and practice offers the ideal basis for starting a career."

Apply all year round - even shortly before the start of the semester

With an innovative and flexible teaching concept consisting of digital learning formats, small learning groups and experienced teachers from the field, IU optimally prepares students for the future working world. 

"Prospective students can apply to us all year round - even shortly before the start of the semester, which is even possible four times a year for many of our degree programmes. We will continue to advise prospective students at the Bad Honnef campus until the start of the semester in October. Our student advisors provide individual support in job interviews, in the search for suitable practical companies or with general questions about the degree programme," says Andrea Bender. It is possible to get to know each other in person and get a taste of what it's like to study in Bad Honnef until the start of the semester. The next meetings will take place on 2 and 9 August at 3 pm. Information and registration options are available here. 

The IU practice partners in the Bonn area currently include the Kameha Gran Bonn Hotel, BonBas GmbH (Telekom Baskets), Kiticon Global Networks and the Ameron Königshof Bonn. Students can either use the IU partner network or apply to other companies of their choice.

The new campus in Bonn will replace the IU location in Bad Honnef for dual studies in the future. Students at the Bad Honnef campus can regularly complete their studies at their location. For all new dual students in the catchment area, the Bonn campus will be available from October with the start of the winter semester 2023/24.

Tuition-free dual study at IU

For the students themselves, studying at IU is free of charge. The tuition fees are usually paid by the respective practice partner. The prerequisite for studying at IU is a general university entrance qualification or a technical college entrance qualification. A completed vocational training with two years of work experience is also recognised.

Those interested in starting their studies in autumn are invited to apply now. All information on the degree programmes and the application process can be found at: iu-dualesstudium.de. 

The most important facts at a glance

• Dual study programmes in Bonn from October 2023: Social work, marketing management, media design, tourism management, business administration with various specialisations.
• Maximum flexibility: In many programmes, a quarterly start is possible - without NC and Abitur.
• Theory & practical experience: In the time model of the split week or in weekly alternation, dual students in Bonn can directly apply their learned knowledge from the IU at a practical partner of their choice.
• Tuition fees paid by practice partner: For the students themselves, the study programme is free of charge; the tuition fees are usually paid by the respective practice partner.

Other study models at IU

For working people in full-time or part-time employment or people in retirement, IU also offers suitable study options with maximum flexibility and state-of-the-art digital learning environment. In addition to dual studies, students can choose between location-independent distance learning and myStudium. In addition, IU offers continuing education for all industries and professional fields and promotes the idea of lifelong learning. Please find detailed information on the study models here. 

For further information about the IU Campus Bonn, please contact Andrea Bender.

Contact

Andrea Bender
Regional Director for IU campuses in Bonn, Cologne & Aachen
andrea.bender@iu.org 
 

Bad Honnef, Germany, 11 July 2023. On 14 and 15 July 2021, a flood wave destroyed an entire region and thus also its tourism infrastructure. Now, 50 IU students from the fields of tourism, event management and food management have developed tourism concepts that are to lead Ahrtal as a tourism region out of the crisis and make it attractive for guests again. The interdisciplinary projects of IU students and professors Prof. Dr. Margit Bölts, Prof. Dr. Peter Neumann, Prof. Dr. Felix Wölfle and Prof. Dr. David Rempel, who come from the IU campuses in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Münster, Frankfurt and Nuremberg, among others, are also intended to serve as a blueprint for other crisis-ridden tourism regions.

The IU project shows how important crisis management is in modern tourism and that tourism professionals will have to deal with issues such as extreme weather events and their consequences to a greater extent in the future.
U International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the first German university and latest member to join the Association of African Universities (AAU). IU joins AAU pursuant to its mission that everybody can access education to grow. Through its AAU membership, IU can exchange knowledge and experience with other institutions in a diversity of areas and specialisations, such as personalised and hybrid learning – a core approach to IU’s success. As Germany’s largest and fastest growing university with more than 100,000 students, its learners will be able to access the Database of African Theses and Dissertations (DATAD), as well as scholarship grants and student exchange opportunities.

A festival, a new bridge and a wave facility

“From an Ahrtal festival at the airfield, to the Ahrtal Charity Rally, to a YogAHR weekend - the IU students' suggestions are diverse. They are intended to emphasise the region's advantages and at the same time create new incentives for visiting the formerly popular holiday region. 

The students have also taken the geographical conditions into account: Under the name "Ahrtropolis", a suspension rope bridge is to be built on an unfinished railway line. For this purpose, the four former bridge piers in the Adenbach Valley are to be extended with different suspension elements. With the special features of Ahrtal in mind - wine, water and nature – it's an ideal addition to the existing hiking opportunities on site. 

Another idea is to build a wave facility in the Ahr. The first standing wave in the western part of Germany should make Ahrtal attractive, especially for younger people. The water sports attraction offers potential for an entire recreational area including surfboard rental, gastronomy and camper pitches. It is not only tourists who will benefit from this measure, but also locals who are keen on sports.

In addition to these large-scale projects, the IU students also proposed short-term measures. These include, for example, a regional and sustainable food concept under the name "So is(s)t Ahrtal" - a play on words for “this is Ahrtal” and “this is how Ahrtal eats” - a guiding principle for all gastronomic establishments, or an interactive flood hike that presents the historical natural disaster. The focus is always on the region and the changed conditions after the flood. 

"By working closely with local businesses, we have been able to gain valuable insights into the needs of the tourism industry in Ahrtal and thus develop high-quality proposals," says Prof. Dr. David Rempel, academic site director at IU in Nuremberg and Regensburg and professor of tourism management and events. “The ideas developed by our students reflect the innovative power and creativity of our university and serve as inspiration for other crisis regions.”

Among other things, IU uses the results of the projects to further improve its degree programmes and to promote practical and interdisciplinary exchange. In doing so, the pioneering role in linking theory and practice in the fields of tourism, event and food management is to be further expanded.

From tourism manager to crisis manager

In view of rising temperatures and increasing weather extremes, tourism experts must be perfectly prepared professionally. The effects of the flood disaster in Ahrtal have shown how important effective crisis management and innovative approaches to solutions are in tourism. With their projects, the IU students have developed a new perspective for Ahrtal tourism. The interdisciplinary approach and the resulting concepts show how an educational institution can advance not only its students but also entire regions.

"We are proud that IU and its students are acting as pioneers in crisis management, serving as an inspiration not only for Ahrtal, but also for other areas hit by crises," says Prof. Dr. David Rempel. “More and more regions are affected. Popular destinations, such as northern Italy, are alternately hit by extreme droughts and severe floods - and this is also flourishing for us. Now and in the future, active crisis management is therefore needed in all tourism-related areas. This is exactly what we teach at IU from the very first semester.”

About the study programmes

Food Management
The content of the dual Food Management degree programme includes business administration basics, project management and cost and performance accounting, as well as numerous gastronomic modules such as product and beverage science, types of nutrition, catering concepts and sustainability in gastronomy. In addition, students complete various practical projects in four semesters. In this way, organisational and management skills are combined with subject-specific knowledge. Students learn methodological skills that enable them to make independent, organisational, planning and managerial decisions.

Tourism Management
The dual study programme in Tourism Management offers many perspectives. In addition to the basics of business administration, the first semesters include business mathematics, tourism management, marketing, civil law and project management. In the fifth semester, students choose one of four specialisation options: Travel Supplier and Travel Distribution Management, Event Management, Hotel Management or System Catering. This prepares them specifically for their desired direction.

Event Management
In the fifth semester of the dual bachelor's degree programme in Tourism Management, students can specialise in Event Management. The contents of this specialisation include methods for planning, developing and implementing events. In addition to well-founded scientific and practical methods of business administration and economics, the focus is on the latest management methods with a focus on the event industry. 

About the project

As part of an interdisciplinary project, 50 dual students from IU International University in the fields of tourism management, event and food management worked together with their professors Prof. Dr. Margit Bölts, Prof. Dr. Peter Neumann, Prof. Dr. Felix Wölfle and Prof. Dr. David Rempel and with local tourism providers on new concepts to overcome the tourism crisis in the Ahrtal. Through discussions and qualitative analyses, the students gained an insight into the existing offers, the conditions after the flood and the local mood. The concepts are the result of close cooperation between the students, IU International University of Applied Sciences and the local partners in Ahrtal and are based on an initiative of the Kreissparkasse Ahrweiler, which funded the project.
 

The aim of the cooperation is to recruit and train students in dual studies, especially in the study programmes Tourism Management and Culinary (Food) Management. Students complete their theory and practice phases in weekly or semi-weekly alternation in presence, online on the virtual campus and in the member businesses of DEHOGA Nordrhein e.V. In the accommodation and gastronomic businesses, they pass through different departments and put into practice what they have learned during their studies. The study programme lasts three and a half years and the tuition fees are usually paid by the practice partner. 

Patrick Rothkopf, President of DEHOGA Nordrhein e.V. visited the IU location in Dusseldorf upon the signing of the cooperation agreement. "In order to expand our supportive offer in the field of vocational training for our member businesses, we are cooperating with IU International University of Applied Sciences. After all, there is a considerable portion of young people who are interested in the hospitality industry and at the same time would like to complete an academic degree. The offer, which is tailored to the needs of the students and the companies, speaks in favour of IU as a recognised and modern university," explains the association president.

"We expect that the majority of training will continue to take place in the classic dual vocational training, and even here, new training occupations were only created with the start of the previous training year. However, with the new additional offer, we found a promising complement," Rothkopf continues.

In addition to the discount on tuition fees, the joint placement of job advertisements, events and excursions, the cooperation also includes the involvement of employees of the member companies in the teaching, for example through expert talks or also as honorary lecturers. 

The dual study programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences alternates between theory and practice on a weekly or semi-weekly basis, which results in close ties to the company and the rapid implementation of course content. Students of the dual study programme at IU can choose from over 30 study locations throughout Germany. Some study programmes are also available on the virtual campus regardless of location. This ensures that practical partners far away from university locations can also promote the securing of skilled workers through attractive training offers with the dual study programme at IU International University of Applied Sciences. 

About DEHOGA Nordrhein e.V.
DEHOGA Nordrhein is the hospitality employers' and business association in the Düsseldorf and Cologne administrative districts and is based in Neuss. With around 5,500 member businesses between Emmerich and Bonn, it is the DEHOGA association with the largest number of members at district level in Germany.