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).

System reaccreditation is regarded as the highest form of quality recognition within the German higher education system. It certifies that a university has an established and effective quality assurance system that continuously reviews, safeguards and improves the quality of its programmes, teaching content and examinations.

“The system reaccreditation demonstrates the professionalism of our processes and our ability to safeguard the long-term quality of our educational offerings,” says Prof PhD Holger Sommerfeldt, Rector of IU International University of Applied Sciences. “We offer one of the most diverse ranges of programmes and study formats in the country and are currently supporting more than 130,000 people worldwide in achieving their personal and professional goals. This decision confirms that we are on the right track: we have a robust and scalable quality system that works in a large, fast-growing university – thanks to the dedication of our teams in teaching and administration.” 

Quality that grows with the institution

In a multi-stage review procedure, the independent experts confirmed that IU had successfully implemented and further enhanced its quality system throughout the entire initial accreditation period (2018 to 2025). During a phase of significant growth, IU consistently strengthened its system: processes were refined, responsibilities clearly defined, and resources purposefully expanded to meet the high demands of modern, data-driven quality assurance.

“With data-driven quality assurance and clearly documented processes, we close the quality loop – data lead to measures, and measures lead to better teaching,” explains Prof PhD Anastasia Hermann, Vice-Rector for Teaching Quality, who oversees the university’s quality system and the system accreditation procedure.

Since the initial accreditation, every degree programme at IU has successfully undergone at least one full cycle of the internal quality assurance process – clear evidence of the system’s effectiveness. The expert panel highlighted the university’s strong student orientation, its flexible study options and the wide range of evaluation opportunities throughout the entire student journey. They also rated the system’s scalability particularly highly: while student numbers have almost quadrupled since the initial accreditation, the quality assurance teams have been systematically strengthened in terms of staffing, structure and technology.

With this decision by the Accreditation Council, IU International University of Applied Sciences is once again confirmed as a reliable, quality-assured and innovative educational partner. The university further consolidates its position as Germany’s largest higher education institution and underscores its contribution to a diverse and accessible higher education landscape.  
 

This sends out a strong signal: Scientific research is to play an even greater role in the fight against anti-democratic and extremist movements in the future. The ZRP sees itself as a practice-oriented, interdisciplinary institute in the field of social work with a unique profile in the research landscape. The ZRP's research aims to shed light on blind spots in the field of radicalisation and to develop reliable, evidence-based recommendations for action for politics, administration and individual professional fields. The aim is to actively incorporate the findings into prevention work in order to meet current challenges with new concepts.

Prof. Dr Burak Çopur, Head of the Institute: "We deliberately chose the Ruhr region as the location for the Institute: The region stands for social diversity, urbanity and structural challenges like no other. With its excellent team of researchers, the institute is the first of its kind in North Rhine-Westphalia with a decidedly practical focus - and complements the existing research landscape in the field of radicalisation and prevention with an urgently needed, practice-oriented social work perspective."

The importance of this step was also emphasised by State Secretary Gonca Türkeli-Dehnert (Ministry of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia), who was present at the symposium: 

"The rise of far-right and anti-democratic movements is an appeal to our social responsibility. We must strengthen democratic resilience and, above all, empower children and young people at an early age to critically question radical slogans and attitudes. The Centre for Radicalisation Research and Prevention helps us to make the findings from this interdisciplinary field of research usable in everyday life. I am therefore delighted that the ZRP is now an institute in North Rhine-Westphalia. and sends out a clear signal in support of democracy."

Prevention and research as a bulwark against extremism

The increasing radicalisation in parts of society poses a serious threat to social cohesion and the basic democratic order. The events of last year and this year highlight the urgency of scientifically sound analyses and preventative strategies: The revelation of right-wing extremist deportation plans in Potsdam, Islamist demonstrations with calls for a caliphate in Hamburg and Essen, the Islamist-motivated attack on Pegida activist Michael Stürzenberger and the deadly attacks in Mannheim, Magdeburg and Aschaffenburg. These incidents have further inflamed the already heated debate on migration, security and social integration.

Accompanying symposium on the founding of the institute

As part of the founding of the institute, the ZRP organised a symposium at the Essen campus in cooperation with the Evangelischer Erziehungsverband e.V. (EREV). The ZRP team brought together renowned academics and practitioners on the topic of "Recognising the signs! Developments in right-wing populism after the 2025 federal elections - challenges in child and youth welfare". A varied programme awaited the guests and expert audience. The focus was on practice-oriented workshops on social media in radicalisation dynamics, recognising and dealing with right-wing extremist attitudes in families and victim protection, supplemented by space for discussion and networking.

The event was an example of close cooperation between research and specialist practice - and showed that concrete solutions and joint action are possible and necessary.

"With the symposium on the founding of the ZRP Institute, we were able to highlight how important it is to recognise warning signs early on and to find ways and answers to counter right-wing populism and radicalisation together with specialist practice and research”, emphasises EREV.

Institute's founding strengthens strategic planning and operational effectiveness

Back in 2022, a nationwide network of scientists was formed within IU International University of Applied Sciences to counter these alarming developments with an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented research approach. This network has now emerged as the ZRP Institute - funded by IU and based at the Essen campus. In view of the growing social challenges, interdisciplinary research work is now being given an institutional framework and substantially strengthened. The establishment of the institute today goes hand in hand with a structural upgrading of the research work. With better personnel and financial resources, the ZRP will gain strategic planning and operational clout. Projects that have already been promised focus on topics such as anti-Semitism, religiously motivated extremism, ultra-nationalism and (de)radicalisation in the youth context.

The ZRP combines research, responsibility and social resilience

The successes to date underline the dynamism of the research institute. The ZRP takes an interdisciplinary approach to its research, incorporating specialist perspectives from social work, political science, criminology and education, as well as methodological diversity. Using their specialist expertise and practical knowledge, ZRP researchers analyse the causes and dynamics of radicalisation processes - for example in the family environment, in schools, in the digital space or in civil society contexts. The work is intercultural and multilingual, both nationally and internationally, for example in cooperation with the University of Vienna. The focus is also on evaluating existing exit and advisory programmes. The aim is to broaden the research of radicalisation and provide concrete concepts for prevention, intervention strategies and political recommendations for action.

Knowledge transfer is a central task: research findings flow directly back into practice in training courses, workshops, studies and seminar concepts. With the ZRP, IU is specifically positioning itself as a university that takes a stand - and assumes social responsibility in the areas of education and research.

Further information on the ZRP and the research team

• Download press kit
• https://www.iu.de/forschung/projekte/forschungsinstitut-zrp/ (currently only in German)

Erfurt, 28 October 2024. At the opening keynote of the Microsoft AI Tour 2024 in Berlin, Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, presented examples of the use of artificial intelligence in German companies. As example for the use of AI in the education sector, he highlighted the IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) as a pioneer in Germany. 

The AI learning assistant Syntea has been in use at IU since October 2023, providing individual and personalised learning support for online studies. Syntea was developed by IU for students and uses the Azure OpenAI service. In the future, the learning assistant will also be available to students at the IU Copilot School featuring Microsoft in Microsoft 365 Copilot. 

The IU Copilot School was founded in June 2024 and combines academic education with the teaching of AI skills. Through the future integration of Syntea into Microsoft 365 Copilot, students will also acquire valuable AI skills such as AI prompting and data analysis. 

Further information on Satya Nadella at the Microsoft AI Tour 2024 in Berlin is available here in the Microsoft News Center.

IU Group joins Allianz für KI-Kompetenz in Deutschland 

At the AI event, which took place at the CityCube in Berlin, Agnes Heftberger, Corporate Vice President and CEO of Microsoft Germany, together with Satya Nadella, launched the ‘Allianz für KI-Kompetenz in Deutschland’. The aim of this initiative is to strengthen the German economy through a joint further training offensive in the field of artificial intelligence and to give employees access to necessary AI skills in order to secure Germany's innovation and competitiveness. 

The IU Group, the parent company of IU International University of Applied Sciences, has already joined the ‘Allianz für KI-Kompetenz in Deutschland’. 

Further information on the ‘Allianz für KI-Kompetenz in Deutschland’ at the Microsoft AI Tour 2024 in Berlin is available here in the Microsoft News Center.

Dr Sven Schütt, CEO of IU International University of Applied Sciences and CEO of the IU Group, who spoke to experts on the customer panel, emphasises: 

“Generative AI tools will revolutionize the way we learn by unlocking the personal potential of learners across the globe. It enables individualized learning paths, tailored support, and deeper knowledge acquisition while opening new career opportunities. We are thrilled that Microsoft is partnering with IU to initiate a transformation in AI-powered learning with the IU Copilot School featuring Microsoft.”

Link  to the digital IU press kit.

Link to more information about the IU Copilot School featuring Microsoft.

Link to press release about the launch of IU Copilot School featuring Microsoft from 26 June 2024. 

Erfurt, 26 June 2024: IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), Germany's largest university with more than 130,000 students, has launched the IU Copilot School (IUCP) featuring Microsoft. IU and Microsoft collaborate to make education more accessible with the help of AI and to provide students with the necessary future skills for the new age of AI. With the IUCP, IU is creating a new, unique higher education model that is tailored to students' individual abilities and optimally supports them in their personal academic progress using AI.
 

"We are proud to have Microsoft on our side as a partner for the democratisation of education in the coming AI era. With the creation of the IU Copilot School, we are making a paradigm shift in education that enables continuous and integrated learning. By using Microsoft 365 Copilot, we are improving the learning experience of students as they study and we prepare them with the skills they need for a future, in which we all work together with AI", says Dr Sven Schütt, CEO of IU International University of Applied Sciences.

“IU International University of Applied Sciences is a leader in the application of AI for personalised learning and the teaching of AI skills across all disciplines. With its seamless integration of Microsoft 365 Copilot, IU Copilot School impressively demonstrates the understanding of forward-thinking education and empowers future employees through the use of AI", explains Alexander Britz, Public Sector Lead at Microsoft Germany. 

Integrated learning with Microsoft 365 Copilot in more than 250 online courses 

The IU Copilot School will launch its first study programmes in the German market in October 2024. Candidates can apply now. With the launch of IUCP, students will have the opportunity to choose from existing IU online degree programmes, such as B.Sc. Applied Artificial Intelligence, with a focus on the use of the AI-supported productivity tool Microsoft 365 Copilot, including a license for Microsoft 365 and Microsoft 365 Copilot. IUCP prepares its future students for an integrated learning experience that equips them with useful skills in Copilot 's application throughout their studies. 

IU will successively integrate all suitable study programmes offered in distance learning into the IUCP. In the future, IUCP students will be able to choose from more than 250 bachelor's and master's programmes. 

IUCP combines formal learning and AI support 

Microsoft 365 Copilot provides an innovative learning experience for IUCP students: It combines formal learning focused on an educational goal with hands-on learning supported by AI. In addition, with M365 Copilot, students have the opportunity to be among the first in Europe to extensively use an AI tool that will be widely adopted by companies worldwide in the future. 

Microsoft 365 Copilot is directly integrated into the user interface of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint. This allows IU Copilot School students to benefit from a variety of features in their everyday study life: The tool makes it easy to search and summarise information from various sources in the Microsoft ecosystem, for example in Teams channels or Outlook. In addition, Microsoft 365 Copilot supports students in the creation, formatting and translation of Word documents, PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets. In this way, Microsoft 365 Copilot not only serves as a source of inspiration and problem solving for students, but also promotes creativity in projects and tasks. 

Syntea and Microsoft 365 Copilot: the best of two AI worlds 

IU plans to fully integrate its self-developed Syntea into Microsoft 365 Copilot by the end of the year. This will allow IUCP students to seamlessly access all Syntea functions within the MS Office interface. With the help of the AI-powered learning companion Syntea, they will have direct support in the tool. Through interactive and personal conversations, Syntea will assist students to reach their individual learning objectives any time of the day. 

At the same time, IUCP students can profit from all the advantages of Copilot for Microsoft 365 and thus benefit from powerful language models such as the Microsoft Azure Open AI Service. 

Thanks to the close co-operation with Microsoft, the AI learning buddy Syntea will always make optimal use of the most advanced AI technology to personalise learning. IUCP will also adapt its learning offerings to the latest trends and skills of the AI era. 

Further information on the IU Copilot School featuring Microsoft at: 
https://www.iu-copilot.org/en/lp/lp-copilot/

Information on the benefits and functions of the AI learning companion Syntea at: 
https://www.iu-copilot.org/en/studies/syntea/

All previously published press releases from IU International University of Applied Sciences about Syntea at: 
https://www.iu.de/news/en/?h=1&t=Syntea 

ABOUT MICROSOFT  

Microsoft Deutschland GmbH, established in 1983 as a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, U.S.A.), employs over 3,000 employees in Germany across seven locations: Berlin, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Stuttgart, and Walldorf. Together with our 30,000 partners in Germany, we support businesses with innovative solutions for the intelligent cloud and the Intelligent Edge, enabling them to thrive in the digital transformation and the era of artificial intelligence. Microsoft is also a global leader in areas such as productive AI-driven software solutions, IT security, innovative hardware, and development platforms based on open-source technology. Through our career network LinkedIn, we connect more than 950 million people worldwide, and with Xbox and Game Pass, we provide a cross-platform gaming experience. Microsoft invests in expanding AI infrastructure, cloud capacity, and the qualification of professionals in Germany. Collaborating with politics, economy, and academia, we participate in diverse initiatives and projects, ensuring that everyone can partake in the progress of the digital society.

Erfurt, Germany, 14 Mai 2024. IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), the largest university in Germany, is launching its first nationwide out-of-home campaign today. This was developed in close collaboration with the Jung von Matt agency group, which is largely responsible for the creative concept. Already seen as a test run in North Rhine-Westphalia at the beginning of this year, the campaign is now being rolled out across Germany. The aim is to appeal to people who are considering studying, but are undecided, or are not yet familiar with the IU. The IU offer is presented as a flexible, personalised course of study that can be integrated into any stage of life. The campaign will be rolled out across the whole of Germany with four specifically staged motifs and will reach major cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Hanover, Frankfurt, Munich, Dresden and Leipzig with around 50,000 posters. 

Alexander Krösser, Chief Marketing Officer at IU International University of Applied Sciences, explains: "With our campaign, we are aiming to fundamentally change the perception of higher education. I firmly believe that studying at IU is a flexible and accessible choice for everyone's professional and personal development, even under challenging life circumstances such as a demanding full-time job, multiple jobs, the responsibilities of self-employment, family obligations, financial obstacles or the lack of academic role models in the family. Anyone who takes a bold step and begins their academic education with us will find that IU is the right choice. This is proven every day by more than 130,000 students, who each master their own challenges in daily life and are nevertheless successful in their studies."

In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), a test campaign ran at the beginning of the year with over 11,000 posters, including around 2,000 large-format motifs, 1,000 Mega Lights, 7,500 City Lights and 500 Premium Lights. In addition, the first campaign videos were played on YouTube from December 2023.

In view of the promising results, IU decided to roll out the campaign throughout Germany. The slightly adapted campaign aims to appeal to new target groups who are considering studying but are still undecided or are not yet familiar with the IU and its flexible study models. The campaign conveys the idea that studying at IU is not an unattainable option but fits well into every phase of life - regardless of whether the target groups have a high school diploma or not. 

About IU's out-of-home campaign 

The poster campaign can be seen throughout Germany from May to September 2024. Four creative poster motifs, each with its own claim, convey the message of a maximally flexible and customisable degree programme that can be integrated into any phase of life. The slogans are: 

• Erst einsteigen, dann aufsteigen – Mit deinem StudIUm. 
• Du verdienst mehr. Mit deinem StudIUm. 
• Mit einem StudIUm – von Quereinsteigerin zur Senkrechtstarterin. 
• Das StudIUm für alle, die auch ohne Rosen den Bachelor wollen. 

The motifs show emotional snapshots from the everyday lives of students who seamlessly integrate their studies into their lives. With the play on words "StudIUm", IU is positioning itself as a synonym for a future-orientated and flexible degree programme and establishing a strong brand association that inextricably links IU and studying. The campaign is accompanied by moving image content on various online platforms. Further campaigns focusing on storytelling are planned. 

IU wants to use the campaign to make its degree programme accessible to a wider audience and attract more students. The focus is on the accessibility and flexibility of IU study programmes. 

With the impressive story of Dominik Latussek, which was recently reported in the media, IU has already shown that it can successfully meet the challenge of reaching previously unreached target groups. Despite his difficult childhood and youth, Dominik worked his way up to a master's degree at IU under his own hardwork. Today, he works as a street worker in Duisburg-Hochheide and studies coaching at IU at the same time. His next big goal is to do a doctorate.

Since October 2023, Syntea has been supporting distance learning students at IU International University of Applied Sciences in more than 1,000 online courses as an AI companion. The approximately 4,000 students currently registered at the IU Academy now also use this online course system and can therefore access Syntea.

Sven Schütt, CEO of IU Group and IU International University of Applied Sciences, emphasises the relevance of AI-supported learning for the continuing education sector: 

"With the expansion of our AI learning assistant Syntea to IU's continuing education programme, we are taking another step towards our goal of democratising education. Conventional learning methods in continuing education do not always meet the personal needs of learners. For example, this could be people who have not studied for years and have little learning routine or experience with digital learning media. The highly intuitive use of Syntea also empowers these learners so that they can continue their education in a way that suits their personal prior knowledge, needs and learning pace."

The IU Academy's further training programme is aimed at employees who want to develop professionally and personally and prepare for the changing job world of the future. It is also aimed at jobseekers who want to improve their chances in the labour market through subsidised further training. For jobseekers, 100 per cent of the training costs are covered by the employment agency via an education voucher.

Round-the-clock answers and interactive learning

Syntea is optionally available to Academy participants in their course books on the myCampus learning platform. The AI application integrates seamlessly into the learning interface as a speech bubble at the bottom right of the screen. The AI learning assistant is available in almost all of the IU Academy's more than 600 online continuing education courses and offers numerous functions. For example, users can ask Syntea questions about specific course content via the chat function and receive answers based on the content of the IU courses around the clock. 

However, IU's self-developed Syntea is more than just a generative AI that uses, among other things, large language models (LLMs). Syntea also acts as a personal avatar that can be controlled via voice functions and uses interactive dialogues and a proactive approach to ensure that learners remain motivated and achieve their learning goals at their own pace and according to their personal needs.

Better internalisation of learning content

Feedback from academy participants who have already been able to use and try out Syntea, reports positive effects on their learning experience:

• Users report that Syntea helps them to answer questions so that the learning content can be better internalised through repeated questions.
• Others report that Syntea responds quickly and provides both concise and detailed answers, and that questions can be asked repeatedly so that answers can be explained more easily.
• Others are positive about the attention they receive through Syntea and that Syntea is also entertaining.

"Academy participants are already benefiting from IU International University of Applied Sciences’ many years of experience with innovative online courses and can currently acquire knowledge in over 600 online courses that will sustainably increase their job opportunities on the labour market. This flexible and personalised offer is further enhanced by the use of our AI learning buddy, Syntea and is particularly beneficial for those who would like additional support with their learning," says Franziska Bader, Director of the IU Academy.

Further information on Syntea can be found at: https://www.iu.de/syntea

About the IU Academy

The IU Academy offers innovative, state-recognised online continuing education at university level. It is part of Germany's largest university, IU International University of Applied Sciences, with over 20 years of experience in digital education. The IU Academy's continuing education courses support jobseekers, employees, people returning to work and career changers on their path to a future-proof job through certified continuing education courses with a focus on the labour market. IU Academy participants learn digitally, regardless of time and place, on a full-time or part-time basis and with personal support from coaches, career advisors and lecturers. Online students can learn and network on site, at any of the IU Academy's nationwide locations with free WiFi and learning areas.

Further information on the IU Academy can be found at: https://www.iu-akademie.de/

This first research tested whether the use of the AI-supported learning assistant Syntea, which was made available in almost all IU online courses in October 2023, influences the learning progress of distance learning students. 

Analysis by the IU research team shows that by using Syntea, the average time taken by IU distance learners to complete a course reduced by 27 per cent compared to baseline. This means that for a three-year bachelor programme students will be able to save almost 10 months of their study time. This is based on the assumption that this effect will be extrapolated on the total study time. 

Dr Sven Schütt, CEO, of IU International University of Applied Sciences, emphasises the importance of the study results:

“This landmark study underscores the revolutionary impact our AI learning companion Syntea is having on higher education. And as we continue to innovate, that impact will only increase. The findings suggest that education is on the brink of unprecedented improvement, paving the way for possibilities we couldn't have imagined just a year ago. Extrapolating this finding to the 15-year educational journey of the average bachelor student implies the potential to accelerate in average 4 years of education, opening up completely new opportunities to reshape our education system.” 

The research focused on the new Syntea feature, “Exam Trainer” which was released for several IU courses (around 40) in October 2023, continuing the history of the LLM (large language models) enabled innovation Syntea started in early 2022. In the future, it is planned that the trainer function will be available for half of IU’s courses. The trainer feature prepares students for the exam giving them the next exam-like question, thus providing personal feedback in the same style as you would have in the exam. By doing so, IU students receive a lot more feedback compared to students at other universities, which helps them progress faster.

(Source: D. Fabietti,  G. Nirmal, M. Möller, S. Schütt, H. Sommerfeldt, Q. Stierstorfer, M. Zakhvatkin (2024). ”Revolutionising Distance Learning: A Comparative Study of Learning Progress with AI-Driven Tutoring”, IU International University of Applied Sciences) 

The research paper “Revolutionising Distance Learning: A Comparative Study of Learning Progress with AI-Driven Tutoring” can be downloaded here. 

Press release on the Syntea rollout in October 2023.

About Syntea 

Syntea, the AI learning buddy developed by the IU, is designed for the students. Linked to the IU Learn app and available in almost all courses, Syntea offers an innovative learning experience. As a sophisticated, personalised AI learning assistant, Syntea responds to learners' needs and preferences. The AI learning buddy adapts to students' learning pace and rhythm, tracks their progress and helps them to identify and close knowledge learning gaps. 

Syntea comes with four main functions: Pre-Assessment to identify strengths and weaknesses, Question-Answering for immediate exam-relevant answers (after prior review by human teachers), Exam Trainer for personalised exam preparation and Deep Dialogue Learning for interactive dialogues to deepen understanding. 

The AI-supported learning buddy Syntea is now available as a public demo version in the ChatGPT store at the following link: https://chat.openai.com/g/g-P5olqoCPc-syntea

Further information on Syntea can be found at: https://www.iu.org/how-online-studies-work/syntea/ 
 

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Erfurt, Germany, 21 November 2023. IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), the largest university in Germany with more than 100,000 students, is a pioneer in the use of AI in education. As the first and so far only university in Germany, it is now using AI-supported learning on an even larger scale for its students. After the learning buddy Syntea, which was specially developed by IU, was introduced for the first time in all English-language online courses in November 2022, German-speaking students will now also benefit from the AI-supported learning assistance. By the end of September 2023, Syntea will be available in more than 1,100 online courses. Complementing the academic teaching with more than 670 professors and over 1,000 tutors, lecturers and study advisors, Syntea presents itself as a valuable optional additional offer for students. IU thus underlines its leading role in personalised, digital education that is accessible to all people.

"Our AI-based learning buddy is a milestone on the road to modern higher education. It represents our core belief that we can fundamentally change education for the better through the use of technology and enables us to think learning in a completely new way: students can now ask their individual questions online and receive an answer immediately - no matter where they are and when they are learning. This brings us a big step closer to our mission of making education as individual as possible," says Dr Sven Schütt, CEO of IU International University of Applied Sciences.

Syntea acts as a sophisticated, personalised AI learning assistant that responds to learners' needs and preferences. Syntea provides answers to individually posed questions about the learning material in a matter of seconds, which are checked by teachers in a short time. In doing so, the AI learning buddy takes into account the learning speed of the students and adapts to their learning rhythm. In addition, the AI records the learning progress of the students through questions, enabling them to identify and close their knowledge gaps in a more targeted manner. 

"Syntea is one of the first solutions in the world to offer AI-based teaching at a high level and across many degree programmes. This concerns both the underlying generative AI technology and the dialogue-based, natural interaction with Syntea. As a personal learning buddy, Syntea accompanies our students efficiently through their studies and takes their needs into account," says Quintus Stierstorfer, Director Synthetic Teaching at IU, who is largely responsible for the development of Syntea. 

In the current Syntea version, the following two functions are available to students at IU: Question-Answering (Q&A) and Pre-Assessment. 

Q&A: Around-the-clock answers to academic questions

Question-Answering (Q&A) provides students with verified answers to their questions about academic content around the clock in an anonymous and private learning environment, allowing them to learn flexibly. Syntea refers in its answers via a link to the corresponding chapter in the online script. Students thus have the opportunity to immediately dive deeper into the topic . In addition, teachers can add further relevant content, for example further links, to the checked answers. Syntea immediately recognises questions from fellow students that have already been asked in a similar way and can directly provide suitable and already verified answers. The AI learning buddy uses natural language processing (NLP) in its answers to understand and use words as humans do.

Pre-assessment: assessing learning progress with video avatar

With pre-assessment, an AI-based assessment mechanism, students can test their level of knowledge at any time and on any topic by answering multiple-choice questions posed by Syntea. Syntea guides students through the questions and answers in the form of a talking avatar. After completing several questions, students can see which ones they answered correctly and which ones they answered incorrectly. 

The next step of the Syntea roll-out will be the introduction of further functions such as the Socratic Dialogue, in which students can enter into a natural dialogue with Syntea to stimulate active learning and critical thinking. In this process, students can ask specific questions themselves or be asked questions by Syntea to lead to knowledge gain. The Future Skills service also offers students the opportunity to choose from a range of individualised training aimed at future skills required in the labour market. Syntea is to be developed in the long term into a continuous learning support service - a personalised learning buddy - that actively encourages and motivates students to pursue their learning goals.

IU's leading role in digital and AI-enhanced learning

IU has been actively using digital learning tools in its teaching for years. For example, students at IU have been able to use the self-developed learning app IU Learn since 2021, as well as access thousands of digital learning scripts and videos. 

In order to offer students from all over the world the best possible personalised education, IU started early to develop its own AI-based offerings based on the latest technologies such as language models (LLMs) and GPT. They form the basis for the Syntea project.

IU will also offer elective courses in artificial intelligence in all degree programmes from October 2023. Students will thus have the opportunity to acquire new, essential skills in order to be prepared for the demands of the future labour market. In addition, IU's Artificial Intelligence and Data Science courses have already attracted over 2,000 new students with increasing demand.

Further information on Syntea with clear explanatory videos at: iu.de/en/syntea
 

Erfurt, Germany, 19 September 2023. The journalist, bestselling author and publicist Sascha Lobo is a new member of the Advisory Board of IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU). In the future, he will advise IU on the central strategic field of AI. With over 100,000 students, IU is Germany's largest university and a pioneer in the application of AI in education. 

Sascha Lobo is a thought leader for digital topics and technologies. Among other things, he has gained a reputation for his exceptional expertise and critical analyses in his SPIEGEL column "Die Mensch Maschine". In the current AI debate, Lobo is one of the leading experts when it comes to the opportunities and risks of AI - especially in the field of education. 

The innovative power of IU as a provider of digital education is a key motivating factor for Lobo to accompany IU on its global education mission as an advisory board member:  

"The decisive question is no longer whether - but only how exactly we use AI in Germany and Europe, and first and foremost in the field of education. IU has recognised this and, more importantly, it is also actively applying the findings. That was the main reason for me to work together with IU on this essential topic for the future. IU's concrete approach, adaptive learning, is also in my view the best way to combine education and artificial intelligence in a meaningful way," says Sascha Lobo. 

"With his many years of experience in the digital world, Sascha Lobo joins the ranks of our advisory board as another exceptional talent. His extensive knowledge of current developments on digital topics as well as his ability to communicate complex topics in a comprehensible way make him a valuable asset to IU's Advisory Board," says Dr. Sven Schütt, CEO of IU International University of Applied Sciences. 

International thought leaders within the IU Advisory Board 

IU's Advisory Board is made up of renowned personalities from academia, business and politics. They all share the IU vision of future-oriented higher education that is accessible to all people and promotes future competencies through digitalised, personalised learning. With their expertise and diverse experience, the advisory board members consult the IU on key strategic issues such as digital education. 

The IU Advisory Board includes Dr. Frank Weise (former Chairman of the Board of the Federal Employment Agency in Germany and Chair of the IU Advisory Board), Prof. Dr. Tobias Bonhoeffer (neurobiologist and learning researcher), Ambassador Kamissa Camara (former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Digital Economy of the Republic of Mali), Dr. Karina Montilla Edmonds (responsible for relations with universities and scientific institutions at the software company SAP), Raffaela Rein and Lucy Stonehill (entrepreneurs in the field of digital education), Jimmy Wales (co-founder of the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia) and the newest member Sascha Lobo. 

"The Advisory Board is of immense importance for our IU’s international orientation. Their combined expertise supports IU in bringing education to more people worldwide and realising the vision of a future-oriented higher education that promotes personalised learning through digital learning formats," says Sven Schütt. 

IU is a pioneer in digital education 

IU enables self-directed learning for its students through specially developed platforms such as the virtual campus, the IU Learn app as well as the AI-supported learning buddy Syntea. IU is one of the first universities in the world to use Syntea, a learning buddy that uses artificial intelligence to adapt to the individual goals of each student and help them achieve optimal learning results through personal dialogue. More information about Syntea is available both here on the official info page and here in the latest press release. 

Background information on the IU Advisory Board can be found here. 

If you are interested in the topic "AI in Education and the World of Work", we recommend the recordings of the IU AI Forum "Next Level Learning" together with the German Federal Employment Agency and McKinsey & Company. 
 

ABOUT IU INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

With over 100,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognised educational institution with its headquarters in Erfurt began operations in 2000 and is now represented in more than 35 German cities. Students from over 180 nations design their studies according to their needs: whether practice-integrated dual studies, flexible distance learning or individual “myStudium”, which combines online self-study and campus life. IU wants to give people worldwide access to personalised education for a fulfilled and self-determined life. In more than 150 German- and over 50 English-language study programmes in bachelor's, master's and MBA fields, IU teaches students key competencies relevant to the future. A digitally supported learning environment and the use of AI solutions help students to achieve optimal learning results and experiences. IU is one of the first universities in the world to have developed and deployed its own AI-supported learning buddy. IU cooperates with over 15,000 companies and supports them in the academic training of professionals. Partners include Motel One, Vodafone, AWO and Deutsche Bahn. Further information at: iu.org

Erfurt, Germany, 11 September 2023. Students at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) can now rest assured they will land a job within 18 months of graduation. As the EU’s largest economy with opportunities in tech, Germany is the ideal study and work location for international students looking to receive an internationally recognised and career focused degree. The first study fields to be included in IU’s new Job Guarantee are the following master’s programmes in tech:  

• MA Computer Science  
• MA Cyber Security  
• MA Data Science (120 ECTS)  
• MA Artificial Intelligence  

To qualify for IU’s Job Guarantee, students enroled in one of the listed study programmes must complete their studies in the standard study period with an overall grade of at least 2.5, reach a B2 German language level during their period of study, complete at least 300 hours of internship and/or part-time employment internships, participate in employability training and workshops and actively apply for jobs.  

IU’s Job Guarantee is geared towards helping students get a job in Germany that is related to their field of study and offers at least a 12-month contract. To help ensure students’ success in finding a full-time job in their industry, they receive a wealth of personalised career support services: including German language courses and certification, career preparatory training and workshops, CV support and interview training, as well as internships and part-time jobs during their studies.

Dr. Sven Schuett, CEO, IU International University of Applied Sciences, said:  

“Our mission at IU is to empower people with the most personalised education. A key part of that personalisation is the outcome people aim for with education. For many international students, gaining post study employment is the key objective. By providing our students with an education offering to this desire we’re helping shape them into world-class talent, so they can achieve their dream career.”  

For more information about IU’s new Job Guarantee offer, visit: iu.org/job-guarantee.

Dr Diana Knodel, co-founder of the EdTech start-up Fobizz, highlighted the potentials and hurdles in the school sector. Representatives of the management consultancy McKinsey & Company presented surprising results from conducted AI studies. IU CEO Dr Sven Schuett, head of Germany's largest university already using its own AI solutions, shared his vision for higher education. The challenges and opportunities facing the public sector were discussed by CIO of the Federal Employment Agency, Dr Markus Schmitz. The AI Forum was moderated by Rafael Bujotzek, journalist and IT expert. 

Here are the most important findings of the event:

Education: one of the sectors potentially most affected by AI

According to a recent study by McKinsey & Company, education is one of the sectors that can benefit most from generative AI. This is because generative AI is particularly transforming work activities that require a high level of human understanding of natural language - such as communication, review, documentation and interaction with people in general - which applies to about 40 per cent of the jobs that workers do in the economy. This opens up enormous opportunities for the field of education. Fewer routine tasks give teachers more time for personal mentoring and higher productivity. AI, for example, facilitates the creation of teaching materials, reduces administrative time and provides learners with a whole new learning experience.

"The question is not whether to allow generative AI in the classroom, but how to ensure that its use is ethical and equitable, and that it does not interfere with critical thinking skills," said Andrew Goodman, senior partner at McKinsey & Company, who in his keynote at the AI Forum gave educational institutions five practical tips for the next important steps in the transformation process (see video recording).

"Using AI is a new skill. Anyone who wants to be successful in the workforce in the future needs AI skills. Teachers need to prepare students for this now," said Goodman.

Fewer barriers to access and more personalised education

Everyone should have access to education. This is the vision that drives Dr. Sven Schuett, CEO of IU International University of Applied Sciences. With IU, Schuett’s aim is to empower people worldwide to grow personally and realise themselves. The key to this is: personalised and democratised education. He sees the influence of AI as an opportunity to accelerate this process. ChatGPT & Co. can improve learning for students and make education at a higher level of quality more accessible to even more target groups.

"AI is probably the biggest disruption ever for the education sector, just as it is for the labour market. In my opinion, it is the biggest change since the invention of the internet and computers combined, and probably also the fastest humanity has ever seen," said the CEO, who is himself a pioneer in digital transformation with IU. Thanks to the early use of state-of-the-art technologies and demand-oriented offers, more students are enroled at IU International University of Applied Sciences than at any other German university.

"Artificial intelligence will impact and automate jobs at all skill and salary levels, and as it does so, the pace will accelerate, requiring much faster training where actual knowledge will become less important and meta and soft skills will become more important. That is why every learning offer should include AI," says Schuett. At IU, AI elective modules are currently being introduced for all study programmes. In addition, IU is the first university in the world to use an AI learning buddy, Syntea, which has been accompanying students in their personal learning process since the beginning of the year. At the AI Forum, Syntea developer Quintus Stierstorfer, Director Synthetic Teaching at IU, presented the digital learning buddy live, which already enables personalised education today.

Schuett's prediction: "Each of us will have a digital companion to personalise our learning journey. My closest colleague is now ChatGPT." But he also sees the hurdles to be overcome: "School systems change very slowly, but future skills and new learning opportunities are needed much faster. It should also be a social prerequisite to face change with hope and a positive attitude. There are many people who are afraid of being replaced by AI. Education, trial and error, learning opportunities and policy frameworks can counteract this."

One thing is equally important to the CEO: "Like all other powerful technologies, AI must and will be regulated. Because the technology is developing so quickly, it is currently difficult to say what restrictions there will be. From a European perspective, we should be careful not to overregulate it so that Europe doesn't regulate itself out of the game in this most important technological disruption." 

In his presentation at the AI Forum, Sven Schuett presented ten major challenges in the education sector that could be solved with the help of AI (see video recording in German language).

Teaching and learning AI skills already at school

EdTech start-up founder Dr Diana Knodel has also recognised how important it is to learn how to use AI and new technologies and to teach them to our youngest generations. With Fobizz, she developed a platform for further training and a range of digital tools for teachers and schools. This also includes a GDPR-compliant ChatGPT version for schools, which already has over 100,000 users.

"We want to bring AI into schools as quickly as possible and across the board - not only as a topic, but above all as a learning technology. This requires above all training and further education offers for teachers as well as clear framework conditions from the legislation, which must still leave enough room for experimentation," said Knodel.

She is aware that the road to this point will be a long one. Many federal states have shown a desire to integrate AI into teaching and to include it in the curriculum, but this is often not possible due to a lack of acceptance and openness as well as restrictive regulations.

"What could help would be if the federal government also provided budget for joint projects with other EdTech start-ups as part of its Digital Pact. That way we could bring learning tools to schools much faster," said Knodel.

Diana Knodel expressed her position and other demands at the AI Forum (see video recording in German language).

Tailored offers for jobseekers

The Federal Employment Agency also welcomes the transformation process. Thanks to AI-supported systems, time-consuming tasks such as checking study certificates, matching job seekers and those offering jobs or reading hundreds of thousands of job advertisements can be simplified and optimised by machines. Generative AI offers, among other things, the chance to determine precisely fitting offers and the demand on the job market in the shortest possible time. At the AI Forum, CIO Dr. Markus Schmitz presented the strategic foundation for using AI at his Agency, linked to voluntarily imposed data ethics guidelines and processes (see video recording in German language).

"We are definitely aware of our responsibility for the handling and use of sensitive data and do everything we can to make the technical processes secure and unprejudiced," said Schmitz, who sees the AI Forum as an important building block for the transformation of society as a whole: "We in the public sector often have the regulatory debate, where people only ever discuss what is not possible. It was great today to simply talk about the possibilities we have - of course always with the risks in mind. We should have this debate much more often in Germany and make it a social issue. It should not just be a dialogue between experts - it has been for many years. Events like this help to democratise the debate and thus make an important contribution."

All recordings from the AI Forum "Next Level Learning: AI in Education and the World of Work" as well as further background information on the topic at: iu.de/ki-forum-2023

For interviews, background discussions or a demonstration of the AI-supported learning buddy Syntea, we will be happy to put you in touch with the speakers.
 

Erfurt, Germany, 14 June 2023. The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) is the latest degree awarding body to join IU Group, Europe’s largest edtech company and owner of the private IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU). The purchase was made official on 31 March 2023 and takes effect immediately. Due to its strong heritage and long-standing history and tradition, LIBF’s mission will stay the same.

Dr Sven Schuett, CEO, IU Group, said:

“We are excited to welcome LIBF to the IU family. As we continue to grow, we enter a new era with LIBF allowing us to continue building on our mission that everyone can access education to grow. Through LIBF’s expertise in the banking and finance world and IU as a leader in edtech we see great potential for creating synergies that afford students a top-rated and customisable education no matter where they live.”

“With the expansion of AI in the education sector, our students are able to stay ahead of the curve with flexible, and innovative learning models in digital education.”

Flexible online learning

IU’s flexible online approach and use of technology and innovation in the classroom proves to be a winning formula for students. Regardless of where one lives or how much time one has, IU students have the option to study at their own pace which is particularly appealing to those juggling work, family and other commitments. This tried and tested approach will be incorporated in newly co-developed online degree programmes at LIBF as part of IU’s multi-brand platform strategy. New online study programmes offered at LIBF are focused on data and computer science, artificial intelligence and international business management – critical skills needed in finance and business today.

Alex Fraser, CEO, LIBF, said:

“This partnership represents an important evolution for LIBF and will allow us to make significant advancements for the future – bringing advantages and new opportunities to our students, members and staff as we look to extend our services around the world. It’s a fantastic opportunity for LIBF to partner with one of Europe’s most successful and technology-enabled education businesses.”

“Teching up” teaching

As AI and technology continue to develop, so must higher education institutions if they wish to be competitive in the education market. IU’s personalised and hybrid learning models, as well as the integration of AI and ChatGPT in its courses prove to be influential in its success. As Germany’s largest and fastest growing university with more than 100,000 students, its learners are pioneering the way in the latest technological developments in higher education, including IUs own edtech innovation, “Syntea” (synthetic teaching assistant). These developments are also true for the banking industry:

• Banking is changing rapidly – with online banking being the norm and evolving customer expectations transforming the way retail banks operate.
• Whether it’s cryptocurrency, online payment platforms or robo-advisers and AI, fintech continues to shape the way people interact with money.

Through its partnership, LIBF and IU will be able to stay ahead of the curve and remain competitive in the banking and finance education market.

ABOUT THE LONDON INSTITUTE OF BANKING & FINANCE

The London Institute of Banking & Finance (LIBF) has been providing industry-leading education and qualifications for the financial sector since 1879. With a focus on vocational training, LIBF delivers a broad range of qualifications and programmes to support banking and professionals at each stage of their careers – from entry-level to advanced professional qualifications. It is the only professional body in the finance sector to have Taught Degree Awarding Powers. Further information at: www.libf.ac.uk

The continuing charity – now called The London Foundation for Banking and Finance (LFBF) – will fund financial education projects, provide scholarships and bursaries and confer chartered status on suitably qualified professionals, in line with its charitable objects of advancing knowledge and education in financial services.   Further information at: www.lfbf.org.uk

Press Contacts

IU International University of Applied Sciences
John Roman
International PR Manager 
john.roman@iu.org

The London Institute of Banking & Finance
Heather Tilston
Director of PR & Communications
htilston@libf.ac.uk

• IU is the only university in the European Union to be an associate member of AIU 
• Tech-related courses are among the most popular IU-courses for students from India

Erfurt, Germany, 20. April 2023. IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the first university in Germany as well as the European Union to become an associate member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). IU joins AIU pursuant to its mission that everyone can access education to grow. Through its AIU membership, future students and their parents can be assured of the first-class quality of an IU education.

Dr. Sven Schuett, CEO, IU International University of Applied Sciences, said: 

“We are excited to be the first German university to obtain membership into the Association of Indian Universities. IU’s strong connection to India, including our partners and thousands of students from the region make it a perfect fit for us. As an AIU associate member, our students will benefit from an intercontinental approach, allowing them to not only be better global students, but world-class talent.”

IU International University of Applied Sciences is Germany’s largest and fastest growing university with more than 100,000 students from 120 countries, its learners receive a top-rated education preparing them with the valuable knowledge and tools they will need to succeed in a diverse and global workforce. With roughly 20% of its student body being non-nationals, an international approach to education is at the core of IU. 

As Europe’s leading provider of tech-related courses, it’s no wonder that amongst IU’s current students from India, study programmes in tech are the most popular. In addition to IU’s tech-related courses, students can choose from more than 100 bachelor’s and master’s programmes in English. IU students benefit from a personalised and hybrid learning model, which incorporates the use of the latest technology and AI in its courses, including ChatGPT. IU has even launched its own edtech innovation, “Syntea” (synthetic teaching assistant) to support students during their studies. Syntea is designed to enable personalised student interaction and enhance learning outcomes, offering a range of powerful features, including a question-answering tool, exam preparation, Socratic teaching sessions and more.  Learn more about Syntea.

For more information on the Association of Indian Universities and what it means to be an associate member, visit: https://aiu.ac.in/index.php

ABOUT IU INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

With over 100,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-recognised educational institution with its headquarters in Erfurt began operations in 2000 and is now represented in more than 35 German cities. Students from over 180 nations design their studies according to their needs: whether practice-integrated dual studies, flexible distance learning or individual “myStudium”, which combines online self-study and campus life. IU wants to give people worldwide access to personalised education for a fulfilled and self-determined life. In more than 150 German- and over 50 English-language study programmes in bachelor's, master's and MBA fields, IU teaches students key competencies relevant to the future. A digitally supported learning environment and the use of AI solutions help students to achieve optimal learning results and experiences. IU is one of the first universities in the world to have developed and deployed its own AI-supported learning buddy. IU cooperates with over 15,000 companies and supports them in the academic training of professionals. Partners include UpGrad, Simplilearn, Intellipaat and TimesPro. Further information at: www.iu.org. 
 

SYNTEA Question-Answering: Revolutionising Student Interaction

The QA (Question-Answering) tool, one of Syntea's core capabilities, is designed to transform the way students interact with course content and professors. By allowing students to ask questions about their course materials 24/7, the QA tool not only helps them clarify questions from the course book, but also unlocks full study flexibility. The answers provided by Syntea are approved by human tutors within 24 hours, so they can be used in exams. This guarantees each individual student success in their learning. 

Along with the answers, Syntea also sends links to the relevant materials from the vast virtual library of IU course materials. This helps students to dive deep quickly and easily into the topics and set their own learning focus.  

Syntea can also be seamlessly integrated into a wide range of channels such as web-applications, chat-clients and mobile devices. Due to its conversational interface, students can interact with Syntea in a very natural and intuitive way.  

Let Syntea introduce itself

Get to know Syntea by starting the video.

Leveraging the power of state-of-the-art NLP models, the QA tool currently utilises GPT version 3.5 and is set to receive a significant upgrade with the introduction of GPT4. Currently, we observe overly positive feedback with 85% of answers being rated as helpful by our users. Additionally, we ensure correctness and exam-relevance through human tutor verification of Syntea´s answers. In 65% of cases the original answer is approved and in the remaining cases tutors improve the answers or enrich them with additional details and examples. 

While the system already works great on the latest ChatGPT model, the introduction of GPT4 enhances the tool's capabilities and effectiveness in boosting accuracy of answers even further. We see increasing numbers of questions coming in from students compared to our classical channels, which demonstrates its wide adoption and positive impact on student learning experiences. 

3,500+ questions in 180 courses in the past 3 months via Syntea QA (March 2023)

Syntea Exam Trainer: Enhancing Preparation & Confidence

The Trainer tool, another valuable component of Syntea focuses on improving exam preparation for students. In providing students with exam-like questions and offering personalised feedback on their responses throughout the course, Trainer is a powerful tool to support learners' study progress. By simulating real exam conditions, Trainer helps students develop a deeper understanding of the subject matter and refine their problem-solving skills. Additionally, students gain a clearer understanding of areas they should concentrate their learning efforts on and when they are well prepared to take the final exam, providing them with greater confidence and success in their education journey.  

Trainer has been initially rolled out in selected courses. The tool has shown great promise, and plans for expanding it across more courses are underway.  

The Future of Learning: Socratic Teaching and Future Skills Training

IU’s commitment to advancing online education extends to further innovative features with successful proof of concepts, specifically Socratic Teaching and Future Skills training. These components aim to revolutionise the learning experience by fostering student engagement, critical thinking, and preparation for their professional career. 

Socratic Teaching, inspired by the methods of the philosopher Socrates, uses a dialogue to impart knowledge and encourage students to think critically. By adopting this approach, Syntea's Socratic Teaching feature will create more engaging and interactive learning experiences, challenging students to reflect on their understanding of course material.  

The Future Skills Training component of Syntea supports students preparing for rapidly evolving demands in the job landscape. As AI tools become increasingly prevalent it is crucial to equip students with the skills necessary to navigate future challenges. Instead of merely memorizing content, students need to internalise competencies such as engaging in win-win negotiations or fostering creativity. The Future Skills Training addresses these needs by providing immersive, real-life-like training experiences, enabling students to develop the essential skills required to excel in their future careers. 

Both Socratic Teaching and Future Skills Training are currently in test phase, with promising feedback and potential impact on student learning. As these features are further developed and integrated into the Syntea platform, IU International University of Applied Sciences will continue to lead the way providing innovative teaching solutions to offer the most personalised and flexible education for our students.  

IU International University of Applied Sciences is pioneering online education by integrating AI-powered solutions like Syntea. By leveraging cutting-edge NLP technologies like GPT models, we create a more personalised, engaging, and effective learning environment. 

Syntea's diverse capabilities, including the QA tool, Exam Trainer, Socratic Teaching, and Future Skills Training, demonstrate our commitment to fostering critical thinking and adaptability among our students. As we refine these innovative tools, we empower learners globally with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in an ever-evolving workforce. 

At IU, we are proud to be at the forefront of the AI-enhanced learning revolution. By continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible with AI technology in higher education, we remain dedicated to providing our students with the best possible learning experience, ensuring their success now and in the future.