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 Copilot for Microsoft 365, 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 Group.

“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 Copilot for Microsoft 365, 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 Copilot for Microsoft 365 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 Copilot for Microsoft 365, including a license for Microsoft 365 and Copilot for Microsoft 365. 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 

Copilot for Microsoft 365 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. 

Copilot for Microsoft 365 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, Copilot for Microsoft 365 supports students in the creation, formatting and translation of Word documents, PowerPoint presentations and Excel spreadsheets. In this way, Copilot for Microsoft 365 not only serves as a source of inspiration and problem solving for students, but also promotes creativity in projects and tasks. 
 

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

IU plans to fully integrate its self-developed Syntea into Copilot for Microsoft 365 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.
 

ABOUT IU INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

With over 130,000 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 190 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 250 bachelor's, master's and MBA programmes, including over 50 in English, IU teaches students key skills 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

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 

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 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:  www.iu.org. 
 

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

Erfurt, Germany, 9 November 2022: For the first time, more than 100,000 students are studying at IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU). IU is further expanding its pioneering role as the largest university in Germany. Since the start of its teaching operations in 2000, IU has been giving more and more people access to education, and thanks to digitally supported learning formats it is setting new standards for personalised learning. A third of all students at private German universities decide to study at IU.

More educational equity and fewer barriers to entry

Today, people from over 170 nations study at the private, state-recognised university with 18 percent of all its students being international (non-nationals) – well above the national average. Thanks to flexible study models, German- and English-language programmes and digitally supported learning opportunities, students can study at IU from anywhere in the world around the clock. At the main campus in Erfurt and at more than 30 other locations in Germany, potential students can study dual studies and create the best conditions for their career start with the help of more than 15,000 IU practice partners. In almost every German city as well as worldwide, IU gives prospective students access to their ideal study model - whether dual, distance or hybrid. At 16 percent, the proportion of students without a (technical) high school diploma at IU is seven times higher than the average in Germany.

Thuringia, Germany’s Minister of Economics, Science and Digital Society, Wolfgang Tiefensee congratulates on this milestone: "IU, based in the Thuringian state capital of Erfurt, is an enrichment for the German university landscape. With its personalised and digitised courses, it helps to open up new professional and educational opportunities for people in a wide variety of life situations. The increasing number of students shows that these offers are obviously being accepted - also because they can be easily integrated into everyday life. IU is therefore an important component of our diverse and modern education system.”

IU continues to expand educational opportunities and tech expertise for international students

Prospective students can choose from more than 200 study programmes in both English and German at the bachelor's and master's levels and benefit from the constant further development of the offer. Overall, the most popular study subjects at IU include social work, business administration and psychology, while the most popular degree programmes amongst international students are MBA, social work and computer science. With around 20,000 active students in the social work department, IU is the largest academic trainer for social professions in Germany. In addition, digital know-how is increasingly in focus: subjects in the IT and technology areas such as artificial intelligence and data science are meeting with steadily growing interest among students.

Using interactive, digital learning tools such as the IU Learn App with learning videos and over 600 online scripts, students find the best individual way to learn and deepen the material. A dedicated team of tech specialists at IU is constantly working on new innovative solutions. "Digitally supported learning and teaching offers as well as digitised processes play a decisive role for the great flexibility in the design of a course of study with us at IU and for a positive learning experience overall," explains Prof. Dr. Holger Sommerfeldt, Rector of IU International University of Applied Sciences.

Best chances for the jobs of the future – for everyone

More than ever, tech expertise is a key competence for the transformation in the economy. Graduates of these subjects are in great demand and have very good chances on the job market. "This is an essential criterion for us when we introduce a new course," emphasizes Sommerfeldt. "We not only want to give as many people as possible access to higher education and enable them to participate more in the social debates of our time, but also train them for the jobs of the future at the same time."

The high proportion of students who come from non-academic families is particularly pleasing: at IU, it is 70 percent and thus well above the German average. At 64 percent, the proportion of women among IU students is also higher than in the national comparison and has grown steadily over the past six years. "Diversity and equal opportunities are two important pillars of the IU philosophy, which are reflected in the profile of our students," emphasizes Holger Sommerfeldt.

Professional and personal exchange remains important

Despite the great importance of digitisation and technology, personal contact with and among the students is always the top priority. Professors and academic staff are on hand to offer students professional advice and support. Study coaches and study guides support students both in distance learning and on-site with the challenges of everyday study and accompany them individually on their learning journey.
 

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. 

Erfurt, 01 July 2022. IU International University of Applied Sciences is strengthening itself with a newly constituted advisory board, to support its mission: providing education that is accessible for all through digitalised, personalised learning to impart the skills that will be key tomorrow. The advisory board of Germany's largest university will include outstanding thought leaders from science, business and politics: Dr. Frank Weise, former Chairman of the Board of the Federal Employment Agency in Germany, Prof. Dr. Tobias Bonhoeffer, neurobiologist and researcher of learning processes, Ambassador Kamissa Camara, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Digital Economy and Planning of the Republic of Mali,
Dr. Karina Montilla Edmonds, Global Head of Academies and University Alliances at the software company SAP, Raffaela Rein and Lucy Stonehill, entrepreneurs in the field of digital education, and Jimmy Wales, co-founder of the online encyclopaedia Wikipedia (for further information about the advisory board members, please refer to the Appendix).
 

Strategic support for a global education mission 

With the expertise and diverse experience of its members in central strategic fields of IU, the advisory board will comprehensively advise the university in its further development – including the strategic orientation of IU, its study formats and the university’s global growth. IU's goal is to further expand its creative power as a driver of progressive higher education both in Germany and internationally and to establish itself as a globally relevant provider of digital education (EdTech). Dr. Frank Weise will chair the IU Advisory Board. This was decided by the members at yesterday’s constituent meeting of the board.

"IU has set itself the goal of nothing less than the education of the future, thereby addressing one of the fundamental questions of our time – for society as a whole and for each and every one of us. The technology-driven transformation of our economies will only be successful if we provide the right offers for all our talents to learn throughout their lives. In order to stay together as a society, we must ensure that everyone has a fair chance to achieve social participation through education. The IU already offers many convincing answers to this. Together with my colleagues on the advisory board, I look forward to supporting them on their further journey," says Dr. Frank Weise.
 

Digital innovation for new educational opportunities 

At the state-approved IU International University of Applied Sciences, students can learn in a self-determined way – when, where and how it suits their personal needs and possibilities – with the help of a digitally supported learning environment. This is made possible by specially developed proprietary platforms such as the virtual campus and the IU Learn App. Many IU students would not be able to study at a traditional university, as they are dependent on income from their employment, for example, or on maximum time flexibility due to family commitments. At IU, students can choose from a variety of study models, combine online and face-to-face courses and customise their study content. IU's proprietary teaching and learning platform sets standards with its end-to-end digitalisation from content creation to delivery. At the same time, IU is pushing ahead with its continuous further development, increasingly also relying on the integration of artificial intelligence in order to meet individual educational needs even better and to enable optimal learning experiences and results.

Dr. Sven Schütt, CEO of IU: “At IU, we rely on technological advancement to fulfil a deeply human purpose: to enable each and every one to grow and develop individual talents. This shared mission makes us strong as a team; our success as EdTech-innovators thrives on creativity, diversity of perspectives and mutual inspiration. That's why I'm particularly glad that we've been able to attract such bright minds and inspiring personalities from many different fields to keep challenging us from the outside as well and to set new impulses.”
 

Profiles of the members of the IU Advisory Board

Dr. Frank Weise was Chairman of the Executive Board of the German Federal Employment Agency from 2004 to 2017 and simultaneously Head of the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees between 2015 and 2016. Dr. Frank Weise is one of Germany's leading experts on the future of education and employment and has also been involved in recent years as a board member of the non-profit Hertie Foundation and as President of Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe.
 

Prof. Dr. Tobias Bonhoeffer is Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence (in foundation). The German American scientist works intensively on the cellular foundations of learning and memory. With his ground-breaking research, he reveals the biological foundations of learning and how new information can be processed more effectively. Besides his directorship of at the Max Planck Institute, he holds professorships at the Ludwigs-Maximilians University, Munich, The Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim and the University of Capetown.
 

Ambassador Kamissa Camara was Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Mali and the youngest person to hold that office as well as Minister of Digital Economy and Planning. In 2016, she advised Hillary Clinton in her US presidential election campaign. Today, she is involved with “The United States Institute of Peace”. Ambassador Kamissa Camara, born in France, is a political and intellectual translator between Africa and the West and is particularly committed to global educational justice.  
 

Dr. Karina Montilla Edmonds lives in California and works at the interface between science and business at the software company SAP. She promotes knowledge transfer between research and the private sector and aims to attract young talent to careers in technology. Previously, Dr. Karina Edmonds was responsible for cooperation with universities in the field of machine learning for Google.
 

Raffaela Rein is an EdTech-expert and a formative protagonist in the European start-up, VC and tech industry. In 2018, the business magazine Forbes named her one of "Europe's Top 50 Women in Tech". With Career Foundry, Raffaela Rein founded Europe's largest online training platform in the field of user experience design. 
 

Lucy Stonehill, being the founder of BridgeU, literally builds bridges between school, higher education and professional life, using data-driven decision-making to support students in post-secondary planning. Her EdTech-company uses artificial intelligence to advise students in 139 countries on academic prospects and supports them in applying to universities worldwide.
 

Jimmy Wales is a US entrepreneur and strong advocate for the democratisation of knowledge. With the founding of Wikipedia, Jimmy Wales has realised his vision of a comprehensive, neutral platform that unites the world's knowledge, leverages collective intelligence and is freely accessible.
 

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.