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Artificial intelligence has done more than just impact the way we work. It’s changed how we learn, making it easier for students from every corner of the globe to access high-quality education — and IU International University of Applied Sciences is at the forefront of this.
IU is Germany’s largest university, attracting over 100,000 students both on-campus and online. It offers more than 200 Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes taught in both German and English. The main driving force behind IU, however, remains simple: to give as many people as possible access to education that’s personalised to their needs.
“Our focus is to create the best and most individual learning environment for each of our students,” explains Jessica Hastenteufel, professor of Corporate Finance and Controlling at IU. “Thus, flexibility and quality are our top priorities.”
One such way is by providing a range of options for Online Studies. Through this, students can carry out every aspect of their education 100% online, from submitting their applications to graduation — allowing for a unique study model that enables everyone to pursue their studies without restrictions.
To facilitate this, IU has introduced various methods that work to keep students engaged and supported — primarily through an online campus (MyCampus) format and learning app. “We have created an environment where students can access numerous learning materials at any time and from anywhere,” says Hastenteufel. “On MyCampus, they can find a course book, videos, podcasts, interactive quizzes, and many more learning materials.”
Students from all over the world choose IU for its focus on readying students for the future of work — which is set to change drastically through the rise of digitalisation. The Online Master in Data Science is regularly updated to reflect current developments in software and infrastructure engineering, alongside Big Data Technology. Similarly, the Online Master in Information & Technology Management grounds students in the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate innovative digital business tools and operations.
IU has always prided itself on staying ahead of the curve — mainly by adopting new ways of teaching and learning that utilise modern technological advancements. IU’s unique new feature Syntea, for example, is an AI-driven teaching assistant designed to enable personalised student interaction and enhance learning outcomes within the online format. A range of diverse and powerful capabilities have been developed in concordance with this.
One of Syntea’s core capabilities, the QA (Question-Answering) tool enables students to ask questions about their course materials at any given time of the day. It can clarify questions and send links to relevant materials, giving students immediate feedback on their learning progress. Then there’s the Exam Trainer, which helps students through their exam preparation process. By simulating real exam conditions, the Trainer tool preps students with exam-like questions and offers personalised feedback on their responses.
Syntea’s QA tool currently runs on GPT version 3.5 but will see enhanced capabilities and effectiveness with the introduction of GPT4. Revisions are frequently made to improve IU’s existing tools and develop new ones to enhance the students’ learning experience. Both the QA and Exam Trainer tools have been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback — for example, 85% of answers from the QA tool were rated as helpful by students.
At IU, every programme is supported by practical opportunities — where students learn from industry knowledge and case studies to actively prepare themselves for tomorrow’s professional demands. “We always try to keep our curriculum as up-to-date as possible and to incorporate current trends and developments in our courses,” says Hastenteufel.
“We design all our programmes so that the courses do not only provide them with a broad understanding of the topic, but also include soft skills such as Collaborative Work or Intercultural and Ethical Decision Making. A range of sector-specific elective courses is also included to give every student the possibility to specialise in their area of interest.”
Syntea was created to reflect this. The Future Skills Training provides immersive, real-life-like training experiences, exposing students to the skills they need to navigate upcoming challenges and excel in an increasingly digital landscape. Syntea’s Socratic Teaching design utilises dialogue to encourage more creative and critical thinking.
“We not only closely monitor what is possible but also listen to our students to see what they want and need,” Hastenteufel shares. “We provide an online campus and an app with lots of different types of learning materials for all different types of learners. So every student can access the content in a way most suitable and convenient for them.”
The result? Graduates who have the confidence and skillset to navigate their future careers, regardless of their circumstances.
“Especially as a young single mother, it was not possible for me to choose a traditional educational path,” shares alumna Rita Schmidt. “However, I’m a fighter and I wanted to show to myself that I too can have a career and a Bachelor’s degree. The online studies concept at IU was made for me: learning when, where, and how I wanted. No fixed times, the exams are flexible, and I can take them whenever I want, from anywhere.” Find out how IU can help you reach your goals and schedule a video consultation with a study advisor.
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