Award for equal opportunities and diversity

Erfurt, 26, October 2022. IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU), the largest university in Germany, will be awarded the TOTAL E-QUALITY distinction for the first time this year. IU receives this award for its extraordinary commitment to its equal opportunities and diversity-oriented personnel and organisational policy.  

"With our vision 'everybody can access education to grow', we show an inclusive, egalitarian and global perspective on our talents and align all our actions accordingly. Diversity and equality play a central role for us. Our self-image includes supporting students and employees, increasing the number of female students, professors and managers, and addressing the needs of people with disabilities or other underrepresented groups," says Nicola Schmidt-Geheb, Equality and Diversity Officer at IU International University of Applied Sciences.  

The IU underpins its socio-political commitment by signing the Diversity Charter, among other things. A clear zero-tolerance policy promotes appreciative, prejudice-free behaviour within the organisation and takes action against any form of abuse of power, discrimination, harassment or violence. 

The award also recognises numerous measures and offers of IU to promote and treat its learners and employees equally - from reducing possible bias in the recruitment and integration process of new employees, to flexible working conditions (such as mobile work, working from abroad, sabbatical) and training for mental and physical health. "At IU we live a 'culture of everyone, by everyone'. This is the only way we can create a working and learning environment in which everyone feels comfortable, can contribute their strengths and can develop further. Diversity promotes innovation, and it is innovation and creative solutions that are at the heart of IU," says Tim Kaltenborn, Director for People Organisation & Culture at IU.  

With initiatives such as Women in Tech, the Study Access Alliance, as well as reduced access barriers through studying without A-levels and without numerus clausus or entrance exams, IU is opening up access to education to more people and making a significant contribution to educational equity.  

On 25, October 2022, IU International University of Applied Sciences was awarded the TOTAL E-QUALITY distinction at a ceremony in Erfurt, Germany. The award is valid until 2024 and can be extended by reapplying.  
 

Further information on diversity and equality at IU can be found at:
https://www.iu.de/en/university/diversity/  

Further information about the TOTAL E-QUALITY Deutschland e. V. can be found at: 
https://www.total-e-quality.de/  
 

ABOUT IU INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES 
(PART OF IU GROUP)

With more than 130,000 students, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is the largest university in Germany. The private, state-approved educational institution with its main campus in Erfurt brings together more than 250 bachelor's and master's programmes under one roof, which are offered in German or English. Students can choose between dual studies, distance learning and myStudies, which combines online and face-to-face events, and design their studies independently with the help of a digitally supported learning environment. In addition, IU enables further training and promotes the idea of lifelong learning. The aim of the university is to give as many people as possible worldwide access to personalised education. IU started operations in 2000 and is now represented in more than 35 German cities. It cooperates with over 15,000 companies and actively supports them in the development of their employees. The partners include Motel One, VW Financial Services and Deutsche Bahn. Further information at: iu.org.