MCI launches new Software Engineering program

Good news from the Entrepreneurial School®: AQ Austria, the quality assurance agency for Austrian universities, has decided to accredit the Bachelor’s degree program in Digital Business & Software Engineering (DiBSE) offered by MCI. Professor Peter J. Mirski, who headed the development team of the program, has been appointed as the new head of department and studies. Possessing the highest degree of professionalism and competence, he is believed to be the right person for the successful implementation the project. In addition, he brings the ability to establish synergies between the new course of study and the Management, Communication & IT programs, also managed by him. The program is to be launched in September 2018, with 40 study places available.

The new IT degree course has been designed to meet the increased demand of companies and organizations for IT specialists, especially in the fields of software development, IT project management and consulting, software quality management and IT operations management. The career opportunities for graduates will be many: they may choose to work as software engineers in international and internationally oriented companies and organizations, in new-economy businesses or as independent entrepreneurs.

The innovative Bachelor’s program is based on the mobile and blended learning concept developed at MCI. This enables the flexible organization of studies in terms of both time and location. Multimedia-based mobile learning via the digital MCI eCampus is complemented by a manageable number of on-campus classes. Coaches support independent self-study between courses. This special form of organization also enables those individuals to obtain an academic degree for whom traditional forms of study would normally be out of reach due to professional obligations.

The new program complements the study options offered by the Entrepreneurial School® in a synergistic way. 11 of altogether 25 study programs represent traditional STEM disciplines. Of nearly 3,300 students, approximately 300 are currently enrolled in mobile or blended learning courses.

Statements

State Governor of Tyrol, Günther Platter: “The demand for skilled workers in the digital sector is unabated. The new Bachelor’s program will help us to continue our future-oriented work in Tyrol and to facilitate local business by introducing highly trained staff. With digital teaching and learning methods and flexible study formats, the program adapts to current developments and needs in industry and science. I am pleased that we can provide interested individuals in Tyrol with a further training opportunity in digitalization, allowing them to become future experts in digitalization.”

David Lindner, head of marketing and export at Traktorenwerk Lindner: “Digital transformation offers enormous development potential for us entrepreneurs. The content and teaching methods of the new MCI course are ideally suited to the needs of business. The intelligent model of organization enables students to combine work and study: a win-win situation for all parties involved!”

Head of Department & Studies Peter J. Mirski: “The DiBSE program trains students to become software engineers equipped with comprehensive knowledge of respective IT and operating systems, programming languages, concepts and logics, as well as other competencies relevant to the profession. By opening careers in industry 4.0, smart technologies, e-business or management information systems, as well as by including a strong international focus, the program represents an extremely relevant qualification that is also in great demand on the job market.”

MCI Rector Andreas Altmann: “For several years, MCI has systematically promoted the development and implementation of online and mobile learning courses based on digital technologies. We are thus one of the pioneers in the German-speaking world. The new IT course at MCI closes a gap left by conventional courses of study.”