Rooted in Cologne, interconnected with the world / The only private German business school with the AACSB seal
Cologne/Dortmund, 28.11.2024. The International School of Management (ISM) saw a good opportunity to set up its 5th campus in a place where not only the population is densest, but also the region is particularly characterized by science and research. That was ten years ago: Since 2014, ISM has produced over 650 graduates in the cathedral city on the Rhine. Among them are remarkable founders and experts. Many have risen to leading positions in the region and beyond, such as the Managing Director of the Institut für Wirtschaft Junior (IWJ) in Cologne.
Former German soccer goalkeeper Jörg Schmadtke had just moved to 1. FC Köln when his daughter Mara started at ISM's new international campus in Cologne. Philip Reichardt (IWJ) and Martin Bechtloff (Franklin Templeton) had also started their studies there at the same time. The ISM Campus in Cologne is located within walking distance of the main train station in the Mediapark, surrounded by players from science and the media. “We also wanted to have a campus in the center of Germany in one of the most innovative regions. As the third largest student city, Cologne was chosen because of its outstanding research facilities and institutes as well as its internationally recognized cutting-edge research. This environment has also given the Cologne ISM Campus a great boost,” says ISM President Ingo Böckenholt looking back.
Students build up their network during their studies
Philip Reichardt experienced it this way during his part-time Bachelor's degree in Sales Management: “To this day, I associate it with challenging networking events, e.g. with McKinsey and practical tasks for companies in the region.” One instruction has stuck with him: “In time, in budget, in quality - that's how project results have to be set up, our professor said. Now I swear my team to do the same.” The man in his late thirties, who was previously employed by the Cologne Chamber of Industry and Commerce, now manages four employees.
“Many of us already had permanent jobs in our pockets at the graduation ball,” remembers Jonas Meyer, formerly a dual student in Logistics Management: his employer took over the complete financing in addition to the training allowance. He then rose to commercial manager in logistics and shortly afterwards to site manager.
The ISM study program at the Cologne campus laid the foundation for this
Daniela Eder also decided to study at the new ISM Campus in Cologne. The team leader at Telekom wanted to gain a better understanding of the complex market situation. Ten years after her studies, she looks back: “Back then, this campus was much smaller. It had already grown by about a third during my studies.” Later, another floor was added.
The dynamic environment with interesting personalities and institutions both inspired and challenged the campus management - including two women - to raise their profile. The demand for performance is high - even among lecturers. They must regularly publish specialist articles or books. The most recent publications include “Grundlagen der Werbung” and “Grundlagen des Werbemanagements” by Prof. Dr. Michael Kleinjohann.
Preparing managers for responsible tasks in the region and also across borders is one of ISM's core concerns: all types of degree courses provide for stays abroad - students can draw on a network of around 190 universities. A key insight that Martin Bechtloff has retained from his studies is networked thinking, “i.e. looking at topics across different disciplines and always being aware that collaboration with others increases productivity.” The International Management graduate is now Vice President at the investment company Franklin Templeton.
Former site director Prof. Dr. Martin Fontanari knew how to integrate the proximity to surrounding institutions and companies into the campus work: “We were always keen to win them over as partners.” This is how the academic support association AKALEM (“Academic and Student Life in the MediaPark”) came into being: It motivates students to engage in broader professional discourse with thought leaders from business, politics and society on site. ISM also cultivates the latter in the prestigious “Kölner Wissenschaftsrunde” - the local association of Cologne universities.
The ISM Cologne campus has also left its mark in practical terms. President Böckenholt refers to the Entrepreneurship Institute @ISM, which operates nationwide in the cathedral city: “It has an impact beyond Cologne and the region at all ISM locations and has now developed into a competence center for entrepreneurship.” The private business school has been motivating students to do this since their first day in the lecture hall.
Unique seal of approval as a business school in Germany
Institute Director Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lichtenthaler has raised the necessary third-party funding: “On this basis, we have been able to advise over 250 students or alumni and help them to set up their own company or successfully join a family business.” Over 20 spin-offs have been documented. Together with his team, Lichtenthaler has developed contacts with players in the respective region and launched the start-up competitions. In Cologne, for example, the founders Christian Philipi (Wohnsinn.com) and Victoria Richter (SYSTR) have received awards. Nationally, alumni such as Friedrich Kalthoff (Kraftlinge.com, formerly Campus Dortmund) have attracted attention with successful business models in ISM's history to date.
The fact that the ISM in Cologne has an impact beyond the location is demonstrated not least by many renowned rankings - and since this year also by the AACSB seal. “Cologne is home to an ISM campus, which is the only German business school to bear this seal of quality,” explains the ISM President. Only just under six percent of universities worldwide can boast this.
Weitere Informationen:
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