Press 2015

FIBAA Premium Seal double for the Entrepreneurial School® In 2014, the MCI underwent the regular university audit and had an additional voluntary audit performed for institutional accreditation. In both cases, the impressive result was the award of the internationally recognized and highly prestigious Premium Seal. The two Premium Seals are convincing proof of academic quality at Management Center Innsbruck and show that the MCI maintains quality standards that are well above the international average.  Brigitte Auer, as head of Quality Management at MCI, confirms the wisdom of the strategy pursued by the MCI from the very beginning: "Thanks to our consistent quality-first policy, Management Center Innsbruck was able to position itself with the leaders in the Austrian university education scene from the start. The two Premium Seals awarded are a mandate to continue to do everything possible to further develop our products and services and satisfy international quality requirements to the full.” The MCI’s Rector Dr. Andreas Altmann adds: “MCI Management Center Innsbruck was founded in 1995/96. In the meantime almost 3000 students, 1000 teachers, 200 partner universities and countless companies and graduates all over the world place their trust in the MCI. The two Premium Seals are a source of motivation and strengthen our resolve for our future work." The audits were carried out by the international FIBAA Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation, which has offices in Bonn and Zurich. {phocadownload view=file|id=5855} {phocadownload view=file|id=5856} {phocagallery view=category|categoryid=962}Press contacts and queries:{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Tyrolean Economic Chamber awards Science Prize for system to minimize radiation exposure of patients For the second time in a row the Science Prize of the Tyrolean Economic Chamber goes to two graduates of the master program in mechatronics. This year, Thomas Gabloner and Michael Marek have been able to impress the jury with their master project in the field of medical engineering: In cooperation with the Innsbruck Medical University, the graduates have developed an innovative system for radiofrequency ablation, which considerably reduces the radiation exposure of patients during the treatment of tumors.The method of radiofrequency ablation relies on thermal energy created through the application of radio frequency current to treat tumors. In order to destroy the tumor tissue, the RF current is delivered directly to the diseased cells via needle electrodes. The exact location where the electrodes need to be applied is determined by use of x-ray guidance. The surgeon manually places the electrodes in the predetermined location. This procedure, during which the patient is constantly exposed to radiation, takes approximately 21,2 seconds. A method for the automated placement of electrodes, as developed by the MCI graduates Gabloner and Marek, can significantly reduce the radiation exposure of the patients during the treatment. Precise placement of the electrodes moreover guarantees that healthy tissue does not get affected. The advancement of the procedure includes the automatic generation of four images via x-rays. Once the images have been obtained, the position of the electrodes is determined within approximately 4,8 seconds on the basis of control and image processing algorithms. Thus accelerating the process of placing the electrodes, the method substantially improves the effectiveness of tumor treatment.The Science Prize of the Tyrolean Economic Chamber is awarded to acknowledge exceptional diploma and master projects as well as dissertations which display a high degree of innovation, and present small and middle-sized enterprises with immediate application possibilities. For Andreas Mehrle, Head of the MCI Department for Mechatronics, the award confirms the success of the degree program in Mechatronics offered at MCI: “The rewarded projects represent the broad and promising range of opportunities opening up by the study of Mechatronics. I wish to congratulate Thomas Gabloner and Michael Marek on their exceptional achievement.”MCI Rector Andreas Altmann emphasizes: “MCI students are trained to become academic engineers, who demonstrate their ability to break down highly complex theories into practical requirements already during their studies. The award is encouragement to further develop and expand our study program in engineering in order to meet the requirements of practice.”Project Summary{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1039}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

MCI students will be able to obtain an additional Master of Laws degree at Kingston Law School in LondonThe Entrepreneurial School® has taken another big step forward in its internationalization efforts by signing a double degree agreement with the renowned Kingston University. MCI students from the “Strategic Management & Law” Master’s program can now obtain a “Master of Laws” (LL.M.) degree in addition to their “Master of Arts in Business” (MA) degree from MCI.The new cooperation allows students to receive two reputable and internationally recognized degrees and thus adds another exclusive double degree option at an attractive location to the MCI’s range of programs. MCI has been offering double degree programs with the Università Carlo Cattaneo (LIUC) and Edinburgh Napier University and has now created a third opportunity with Kingston University. Thanks to efficient transfer of credits and well-aligned curricula, students can earn two degrees in four semesters.Prof. Dr. Ralf Geymayer, program director of the “Strategic Management & Law” Master’s program, is very pleased with the cooperation: “With an additional title, optimized language skills and a treasure trove of experience our graduates will be able to distinguish themselves even more in the job market. Kingston University is an excellent new partner not only on a professional level but also in terms of its location. With its cosmopolitan urban setting and great cultural heritage London is the perfect place for a stay abroad.”Siri Harris, BA LLB LLM, senior lecturer at Kingston Law School: “With the launch of this double degree program, our students will benefit from an international spirit, a high-quality joint study program and the ties of friendship connecting our institutions. We are proud to be able to offer our students this great opportunity to receive degrees from two recognized universities.”{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=xxx}Pressekontakt und Rückfragen:{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Dr. Karin Sixl-Daniell, Mag. Marco Rupprich, Ph.D, and Dr. Jürgen-Matthias Seeler have received the title of professor at the Entrepreneurial School® in InnsbruckMCI announces another piece of good news: The Entrepreneurial School® has recently conferred the title of professor to three internationally renowned scholars in recognition of their contributions to teaching, research and the transfer of knowledge. The three distinguished scholars possess profound academic qualifications, extraordinary didactic skills, several years of professional experience outside of university, and have rendered outstanding services to MCI through respective achievements.Dr. Karin Sixl-Daniell has been working full-time in teaching and research for the MCI Department of Business Administration Online since 2014. She furthermore acts as Academic Director for the newly introduced MBA program International Business, which is largely based on blended learning methods. Her research areas include International Business and Organizational Behavior. Prior to her appointment to MCI, Professor Sixl-Daniell held respectable academic positions in Singapore and, until 2013, also functioned as a member of the management for different companies in Singapore and Hong Kong. She has taught online classes since 2003. CV FH-Prof. Dr. Karin Sixl-DaniellMag. Marco Rupprich, Ph.D., has been working full-time in teaching and research at MCI since 2008. He has managed the study programs of Environmental, Process, & Energy Engineering as well as the respective department for already four years. As managing partner of the company ionOXess, Professor Rupprich moreover sets new standards in the development of methods for the efficient reduction of dangerous trace pollutants and pollutants stemming from sewage plants.CV FH-Prof. Mag. Marco Rupprich, Ph.DDr. Jürgen-Matthias Seeler has been working full-time at MCI since 2014, when he also assumed the management for the then newly founded bachelor program of Business Administration Online. In this position he has been responsible for the development and implementation of innovative blended learning concepts. These form the basis for the study program Business Administration Online and the online strategy of MCI. Prior to his appointment to MCI, Professor Seeler acted as international consultant for the German Development Cooperation.CV FH-Prof. Dr. Jürgen-Matthias Seeler{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1004}Press contact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

The Entrepreneurial School® awards prizes to most creative student business ideasAlso in 2015, the Management Center Innsbruck organized the MCI Creativity Award to recognize the most creative business ideas of their students in cooperation with the Center for Academic Spin-offs Tyrol (CAST).The students of the Entrepreneurial School® have impressively demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit with altogether 39 team as well as individual submissions. The competition targets MCI students of all study programs who have exceptional business or product ideas and aim to assume their economic and social responsibility through entrepreneurship. The received submissions represent the broad range of study programs offered at MCI. They come from economic and technical fields as well as the areas of society and social affairs. A jury of experts determined the five award winners via a demanding selection procedure, which consisted of multiple stages. Owing to the support of our partners CAST, the Federation of Austrian Industry, and the daily paper Die Presse, attractive prizes with a total value of more than 4.000 Euros could be awarded to the most innovative ideas.Florian Becke, Managing Director of CAST: “The MCI Creativity Award provides students with the opportunity to deal with crucial questions relating to the market potential of their ideas. A jury of experts additionally offers valuable feedback. The participation in the Creativity Award has more and more often become the first step towards founding a business. We are happy to be able to accompany these motivated young people.” Bernd Ebersberger, Head of the R & D Department at MCI: “With the MCI Creativity Award, MCI and its partners give new impetus to entrepreneurial thinking and actively help shape the landscape of start-ups in Tyrol. The event shows the students of all MCI study programs that innovative business formation constitutes an interesting career option.”Andreas Altman, Rector of MCI: “As Entrepreneurial School® we promote and demand young people with entrepreneurial thinking. I am delighted about the creative submissions we have received and should like to thank the jury and our partners for their support and congratulate the prize winners. It is truly incredible what hardworking people and creative minds are capable of.”The award winners and their ideas: 1st place: Simon Zigala (Industrial Engineering & Management)BLIZZARD – The development of an innovative technical method for clearing truck tops from snow and ice The snow and ice falling from truck tops causes fatal accidents every year. The project now makes this danger a thing of the past.2nd place: Johanna Haas, Klemens Gratzel (Business & Management)The new comfort of shoppingThe innovative tool enhances service level and customer satisfaction. The customer enjoys a new and unique shopping experience.3rd place: Martin Waler (Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering)Recovery of energy from green waste including the production of biocharThe method combines material and thermal recycling of green waste and thus constitutes an economic relief to heating plants and district heating grids. Biochar is supplied as a secondary product. 4th place: Philipp Halder, David Bock, Rudolf Haas, Christoph Nothegger (Management, Communication & IT)Smile Together. Local – Refugee - FriendshipSmile Together (www.smiletogether.eu, hello@smiletogether.eu) is an online platform which brings refugees and locals together. Motivated programers who are prepared to assist the implementation of our project are welcome.5th place: Christoph Fink, Philip Weihrauch (Business & Management)NAKED OpticsThe project aims to develop ecofriendly winter sports equipment using innovative resources according to the principles of circular economy.{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1031}Press contact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

The Entrepreneurial School® held graduation ceremonies for 940 graduates and 6.500 guests – Outstanding reputation and career prospects The MCI graduation ceremonies of 2015 recently came to an end in the modern ambience of the Dogana Hall at Congress Innsbruck. On altogether six ceremony dates more than 650 graduates celebrated the awarding of their bachelor’s and master’s degrees together with almost 6.500 family members and guests. Also graduates of the training and certificate courses of the Entrepreneurial School® celebrated the completion of their degrees. “Already as undergraduates, our students exhibit a high level of commitment and outstanding performances. The fact that they have first-class career prospects reflects the good standing of MCI degree courses”, as Rector Andreas Altmann proudly emphasizes. Distinguished guests Guests and guests of honor from economy, science, and politics expressed their appreciation for the Entrepreneurial School®. Among them were, for example, Tyrolean Minister of Science Dr. Bernhard Tilg, President of the Tyrolean Economic Chamber Dr. Jürgen Bodenseer, President of the Federation of Austrian Industry (IV) in Tyrol Reinhard Schretter, Mayor of the City of Innsbruck Mag. Christine Oppitz-Plörer, and Rector of the University of Innsbruck Univ.-Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Tilmann Märk.International recognition Not only numerous positive feedbacks from local and international companies and organizations, but also various rankings and awards confirm the good standing of MCI degrees in the job market. As the so far only university worldwide, MCI was thus recently awarded the double FIBAA Premium Seal. The Management Center Innsbruck moreover achieved outstanding results in the European university ranking by trendence. The international Universum Survey once again cited MCI as the best university of Austria in 2015. Besides several quality criteria, the survey assesses the satisfaction of students with their university and the respective degree courses. A special focus is here also put on the best possible preparation for professional practice. Academic degree by MCIIn order to signify the exceptional quality of their degrees in the international educational and academic markets, MCI graduates are allowed to complement their titles with the brand “MCI”. The Management Center Innsbruck congratulates all the graduates!{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1033}Press contact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

The PMA Junior Award goes to a group of social work students at MCI As a leading Austrian association Projekt Management Austria (PMA) annually rewards outstanding young talents with the PMA Junior Award. This year the distinction goes to a group of deeply committed MCI students, who thus bring the award to Tyrol for the first time.Within the scope of their project with the title “Traumberuf Sozialarbeit” (social work as a dream job), the 15 social work students conducted a study on burnout in social services under the supervision of project manager Renate Gruber and MCI editor Mag. Barbara Laske. The project involved the planning of all necessary aspects from the development and implementation of the study to the scientific interpretation of its results.The diverse submissions of project plans and other relevant documents were evaluated in a demanding selection process. In addition, the participants took part in a one-hour interview, which gave them the opportunity to present their projects.The jury was especially satisfied with the consistent and thoughtful application of modern project management, which also forms the basis for the results of the project. Brigitte Schaden, Chair of PMA and jury member is enthusiastic about the professionalism of the winner team: “The project ‘Traumberuf Sozialarbeit’ also impresses with its exceptional commitment towards all environments involved as well as with its highly sensitive approach to the delicate topic. An exemplary documentation completes the outstanding implementation of the project.”Project Manager Renate Gruber adds: “Our primary concern is to provide students already during their studies with the skills and tools they require in practice. The award is proof of this concern and, moreover, demonstrates the importance of project management skills in the field of social work.”{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1030}Press contact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

The Entrepreneurial School® continuously expands international networkThe Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) delivers good news: The Austrian Ministry of Science, Research and Economy organized a trip to Taiwan in cooperation with the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, the Austrian Association of Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences (FHK), the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, and the Taiwanese Ministry of Education. During this journey, the Entrepreneurial School® was able to conclude several promising partnership agreements with top universities of the East Asian country.The new agreements perfectly complement MCI’s international orientation, which includes a special focus on the Asian region. MCI already holds longstanding and successful cooperations with renowned universities in Japan, Korea, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam.Taiwan is one of Asia’s most successful states in terms of economy, technology and society. It exhibits an outstanding educational system, world-class companies, and a range of prestigious schools, which rank among the world’s top universities.In particular, MCI concluded cooperation agreements with the following six renowned Taiwanese universities: National Taiwan University of Science & Technology (Taiwan Tech) National Taipei University of Technology (Taipei Tech) National Cheng Kung University Southern Taiwan University of Science & Technology Lunghwa University of Science & Technology Overseas Chinese University The majority of the schools are technical universities offering exciting opportunities for exchange in the areas of engineering, mechatronics, environmental and biotechnology. In the past few years MCI has increasingly put focus on these promising disciplines and now offers a range of attractive study programs, training courses, and innovative research activities in respective sectors.For MCI Rector Andreas Altmann “Taiwan unites the impressive dynamics of Asia with an established democracy. In the Asian region it thus constitutes an important anchor for MCI. I congratulate the students and researchers at MCI who will profit from the cooperation and get to know this highly interesting culture along with the exceptional academic and professional perspectives offered by the exchange.”The Head of MCI’s International Office, Dr. Susanne Lichtmannegger, in particular appreciates the opening of “attractive win-win opportunities through Taiwan’s high level of expertise in the area of technology and life sciences. Also Taiwan can profit from MCI’s corresponding competencies in environmental, process and energy engineering, mechatronics, or tourism business studies, which hold the potential to jointly achieve international successes. Our international network now comprises 215 partner universities all over the world. It is a pleasure to witness MCI’s international positioning and current establishment in Taiwan.” {phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1029}Press contact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Mechatronics students at the Entrepreneurial School® develop soccer ball machine for training of the prominent First League soccer team FC Wacker InnsbruckWithin the scope of a practical research cooperation between Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) and FC Wacker Innsbruck, and under the supervision of MCI project manager Bernhard Hollaus, the MCI students Andreas Maex and Wolfgang Türtscher have developed a soccer ball machine, which is now going to be used for the goalkeeper training of the Austrian top of the league soccer team.The innovative soccer ball machine can shoot balls at a distance of up to 70 meters and a speed of up to 100 kilometers per hour, which corresponds to the actual shooting power of trained adults. You can thus repeatedly simulate soccer kicks under realistic conditions and, first and foremost, with a high level of accuracy and in a consistent manner. The machine should now be used in the training of the first league team and the training of young athletes. Its design allows for the additional use of smaller balls and therefore also enables the talented young athletes of FC Wacker to practice crosses, free kicks, or any type of shots on goal.The soccer ball machine, which was developed as part of a project sponsored by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency, is currently still in its testing phase. A training session with Fuad Djulic, Goalkeeping Coach of FC Wacker Innsbruck, has already given new impulses for the continuation of the cooperation: a follow-up project to the improvement and possible serial production of the present soccer ball machine is being planned. In the future, the soccer ball machine should allow for wireless operation via tablet; a camera should moreover identify the position of the goal and the goalkeeper, and thus enable the perfect placement of a ball shot as well as the simulation of different levels of difficulty.StatementsKlaus Schmidt, Coach of FC Wacker Innsbruck: “We are happy to cooperate with MCI on the development of such a soccer ball machine. We have already been able to get an impression of the machine’s performance in several training sessions. In the future, we intend to continue our exchange with MCI students and researchers in order to develop the machine further and to make sure that it can be used in daily training.” Fuad Djulic, Goalkeeping Coach of FC Wacker Innsbruck: “We are utterly satisfied with the development of the soccer ball machine. Together with supervisors and students of MCI we have already identified areas with potential for improvement. We continuously aim to improve our training methods and can only profit from such innovative technologies. I therefore hope that, in cooperation with MCI, we will be able to transform the present prototype to a machine which can be used for trainings every day.” Bernhard Hollaus, Project Manager and Researcher at the MCI Department for Mechatronics: “The engineering programs of the Entrepreneurial School® provide valuable input to innovative ideas and projects on subjects from industry and society. One of our biggest concerns is to generate practical know-how and to introduce students as early as possible to the development of innovative solutions. The cooperation with FC Wacker Innsbruck here constitutes an ideal opportunity. We are delighted to be able to support the Tyrolean traditional club with our work.”For further information visitFC Wacker InnsbruckBachelor program in MechatronicsMaster program in Mechatronics & Smart Technologies {phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1027}Press contact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

MCI Management Center Innsbruck has added two academic highlights to its partner network by establishing a student exchange program with the University of San Diego and successfully extending its cooperation with the University of California, Berkeley.MCI’s cooperation with the renowned University of California in Berkeley allows our students to further expand their academic and personal horizon. They can attend a variety of interactive case-study classes along with American students. The exchange generally takes place during the summer months and therefore ideally complements our other programs at MCI. The world-famous UC Berkeley is known to be one of the most respected universities in the United States. Founded in 1868, it is also the oldest ‘University of California’. The school has 35,000 students, 2,000 professors and an annual budget of USD 2.2 billion. UC Berkeley is famous for its international and research-oriented approach.Thanks to the recently signed agreement with the University of San Diego, MCI students may now study in the southern part of the Golden State, while students from the University of San Diego can attend MCI. The University of San Diego is a private university offering business, technical and law programs, which makes it an ideal match for MCI. San Diego is also highly attractive from a non-academic standpoint. The second-largest city in California offers a mild climate, long, beautiful beaches and easy weekend trips to Mexico, located only a few miles south of San Diego.MCI Rector Dr. Andreas Altmann:“Within our international quality initiative we are cooperating with several world-famous universities. I am particularly proud of the fact that MCI students studying abroad are often considered to be among the best students in their class.”Dr. Susanne Lichtmannegger, head of MCI International Relations:“California is a hub for many industries. Just think of Facebook, Google and Twitter. Our students have the unique opportunity to spend their time abroad learning in this exceptional environment.”{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1026}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Leading South Tyrolean food specialist promoting students at the Entrepreneurial School®Dr. Schär specializes in the development, production and sales of innovative dietary foods. To successfully provide the highest possible product quality, the company undertakes great efforts in the fields of basic research, product development and production technology. The exemplary cooperation between Dr. Schär and Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) demonstrates the importance of research and innovation for internationally successful companies.A carefully chosen number of MCI students studying Food & Bioresource Technologies or Mechatronics will benefit from this collaboration and will be able to gain valuable first-hand experience in this highly seminal field. Students participating in the program will receive a grant as well as a compensation based on Dr. Schär’s guidelines for the duration of their contract. Furthermore, students will collaborate with Dr. Schär when writing their Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis.Herbert Spechtenhauser, human resource manager at Dr. Schär, underlines the importance of the collaboration: “We consider our alliance with MCI a long-term investment beneficial to both sides. We meet new future specialists, while young, talented students can show what they are capable of. We are excited about this opportunity!”MCI Professor Dr. Katrin Bach, head of the Food & Bioresource Department, considers MCI’s collaboration with Dr. Schär a milestone in the development of the Food & Bioresource study programs: “Dr. Schär’s substantial involvement at MCI is a significant acknowledgement for our program. It shows that our graduates are highly sought after in the job market.”Dr. Andreas Mehrle, head of the Mechatronics Department, feels that the cooperation is a great opportunity for MCI students, “Students can put what they’ve learned directly to use and contribute to fields such as research & development, product development and the optimization of production processes and facilities.”Please visit the following websites for further information onthe Dr. Schär brand: www.drschaer.comthe Dr. Schär company: www.schaer.com{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1019}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

MCI organized a successful Recruiting Forum 2015, involving 50 employers and more than 650 students. On November 9, 2015 the MCI Recruiting Forum once again presented the opportunity, for more than 650 students and numerous young graduates, to meet renowned domestic and foreign companies and institutions.On the search for the “talents of tomorrow”, top brands as well as internationally successful niche players presented themselves and allowed insights into corporate culture and personnel policy. Besides, students and graduates seized the opportunity to inform themselves on what aspects are most important in applications for internships or jobs, on which key competencies are appreciated in future employees, and on how to successfully enter the workforce.Brigitte Huter, Head of the MCI Career Center, is pleased to announce that the Recruiting Forum 2015 again presented an attractive platform for the networking of business companies and students: “The personal contact between potential applicants and business representatives is essential in the process of application, also - and especially - in times of social media, online communities and skype interviews.” Matthias Mayr, Chair of the MCI Student Representative Council, highly values the close cooperation with the Career Center and the practical orientation of his university: “The Recruiting Forum provides us students with the possibility to personally meet potential employers. The Austrian Student’s Union would like to say a big thank you for the great opportunity!” {phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1018}Presscontact:{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

The Tyrolean Parliament has decided on investments in teaching, research and innovation from 2016 to 2020. With this it supports the creation of new opportunities for young people, and guarantees the competitiveness of Tyrol as a business location. “Today’s decision of the Tyrolean Parliament gives us a strong foundation to continue our work and the success story of the Entrepreneurial School® also in the years to come”, MCI Rector Andreas Altmann states in a press release.Following the Tyrolean Government, the Tyrolean Parliament now too agreed to invest a total of 43 million Euros in the study programs of Management Center Innsbruck and the Kufstein University of Applied Sciences.The Federal State of Tyrol supplies MCI with 6,6 million Euros per year from 2016 to 2020 for research, teaching, and the transfer of knowledge. With a total annual budget of 30 million Euros, MCI thus obtains a solid basis for its work.The expansion of study programs, especially in the area of Technologie & Life Sciences, but also in online and blended learning, have required intense work in the last few years.“More than 2.500 students, whose number constantly tends to increase, can now actively shape their future, create a career path and secure their livelihood. Apart from that, the opportunities for study at MCI provide important stimuli for research, further education, innovation, and the transfer of knowledge”, as MCI Rector Altmann happily announces.“We would particularly like to thank the Tyrolean Parliament and each of its members as well as the members of government Tyrolean Governor Günther Platter and Tyrolean Minister of Science Bernhard Tilg, who introduced the preliminary decision of the Tyrolean Government.”Presscontact:{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

The first annual experts meeting on the topic of “M & A – Growth and Competition” took place at the Entrepreneurial School® with more than 150 participants from economy and science.Impressive presentations, e.g. on competitive dynamics, on the integration of mergers and acquisitions, and on global growth, as well as subsequent discussions offered valuable inspiration. The effecting MCI departments Management & Law as well as Business & Management, the University of Innsbruck and the SMA Research Lab as the initiator of the meeting can now look back on a unique and successful event.More information & photos

Member of the European Parliament Othmar Karas and the editors Christian Ranacher, Fritz Staudigl and Markus Frischhut convened a discussion in Brussels to celebrate the third edition of Einführung in das EU-Recht, which provides an introduction to EU law.As the significance of EU law has been growing steadily, it has become all the more important to supply students, but also the interested public, with a clear overview of the system. Against this backdrop, Dr. Christian Ranacher (Head of Constitutional Affairs Office in Tyrol), Dr. Fritz Staudigl (Head of External Relations Office in Tyrol), and Dr. Markus Frischhut (Professor at MCI) have now published the 3rd edition of Einführung in das EU-Recht.At the invitation of Mag. Othmar Karas, the book was now presented at the European Parliament in Brussels on October 13, 2015. In addition to numerous invited guests and interested parties representing EU institutions, also almost all of the co-authors from science and practice, without whose commitment the publication of the book would not have been possible, were present.President of the Tyrolian Parliament DDr. Herwig van Staa, who held the presentation of the book, particularly emphasized the importance of EU law on all political levels, including the level of municipality.In his speech entitled “Europa – Wozu?” (Europe – What for?), Othmar Karas addressed the current challenges faced in the European integration process. In doing so, he raised the question of whether a substantial revision of the EU policy for the purpose of adopting a new convention might be necessary in near future - a question which may soon require the publication of a 4th edition.Further Information:Pressrelease Province of the TyrolProvince of the Tyrol{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1012}Presscontact:{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Klaus Ennemoser, international tourism expert and long-serving proprietor of Ennemoser Business Consulting now a Fellow of THE ICE – Official ceremony at Management Center Innsbruck – International award for his life’s work in the service of tourismGood news from MCI Management Center Innsbruck: At the proposal of the Entrepreneurial School®, the internationally recognized tourism expert, hotelier, and founder and managing partner of the Ennemoser Wirtschaftsberatung company, Dr. Klaus Ennemoser MBA, was recently made a Fellow of THE ICE in recognition of his life’s work.The professionalization of tourism in Austria and many other countries would be unthinkable without Klaus Ennemoser. As the long-serving Chairman of the Hotel Section within the Austrian Chamber of Commerce and President of the Austrian Hoteliers’ Association (representing 18,000 hotels with 1.1 million beds and 132 million bednights per year), Klaus Ennemoser was one of the pioneers of an international hotel classification system which spread from Austria, Germany and Switzerland to many other countries.Klaus Ennemoser has maintained very special ties with the MCI for many years. It was thanks to his untiring commitment, for example, that the MCI’s internationally successful tourism study programs were launched in 2000. Today he is still a member of the Advisory Board of Management Center Innsbruck and Chairman of the Villa Blanka Schools of Tourism in Innsbruck, which are among the best of their type worldwide. As a consultant, Klaus Ennemoser is considered one the most knowledgeable experts on eastern European; his expertise and extensive international networks were instrumental in the implementation of numerous tourism projects following the Fall of the Wall in 1989.In recognition of his life’s work and his outstanding services to the international professionalization of the tourism trade and to tourism training and education, Klaus Ennemoser has been elected Fellow of THE ICE at the proposal of the MCI. The official award was made on behalf of THE ICE by Andreas Altmann as Rector of the MCI and Hubert Siller as head of the MCI’s Department of Tourism. The Entrepreneurial School® offers sincere congratulations.THE ICEThe International Centre of Excellence in Tourism & Hospitality Education (THE ICE), which is headquartered in Brisbane/Australia, is one of the leading university accreditation and quality assurance organizations in the field of tourism and hospitality management. The MCI is one of the few universities to have received international recognition from THE ICE for outstanding teaching and research in the field of tourism and regularly achieves some of the best scores in the annual polls and rankings.{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1007}Presscontact:{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

As of November 12, 2015, MCI will be offering an Innovation, Product & Process Management part-time course.Saturated markets, increasingly shorter innovation cycles, limited protection from imitators and ever-changing customer needs demand a targeted focus on innovation and technology.To help businesses successfully meet these challenges, MCI has developed the Executive Certificate Course ‘Innovation, Product & Process Management’. In this 16-day part-time program, executives and junior executives will receive academically sound information and hands-on tools that will enable them to consistently and strategically manage many core competencies, technologies and innovations.Course credits may be applied to the internationally accredited ‘General Management Executive MBA’ and ‘Master of Science in Management & Leadership MSc’ programs.Statement:According to Mag. Claudia Kreuscher, business consultant at World-Direct eBusiness Solutions, “The Innovation, Product & Process Management course is taught by lecturers with profound practical experience. It covers an incredibly wide range of topics to successfully meet the challenges encountered in the field of innovation management. As participants receive personal supervision throughout the course, they can directly apply their newly acquired knowledge to specific situations in their industry and improve their innovation management skills .” More Information Innovation, Product & Process Management Counseling Dr. Olena Rigger, +43 512 2070 2104, olena.rigger@mci.edu{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1002}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Karin Sixl-Daniell, Marco Rupprich and Jürgen-Matthias Seeler appointed MCI professorsDuring its assembly on September 30, 2015, the MCI advisory board appointed Dr. Karin Sixl-Daniell, Mag. Marco Rupprich, Ph.D., and Dr. Jürgen-Matthias Seeler as professors to acknowledge their extraordinary achievements as scientists and lecturers. The appointment confirms their scientific and didactic qualifications as well as their significant practical experience outside of MCI.Karin Sixl-Daniell has been working as a full-time lecturer and researcher at the MCI Business Administration Online Department since 2014, specializing in intercultural management and organizational behavior. Up until 2013 she had been an executive at Raffles Family Wealth Trust and The Cuscaden Group in Singapore and Hong Kong .Marco Rupprich has been with MCI as a lecturer and member of the academic staff since 2008 and has also been heading the Environmental, Process & Energy Engineering program for the last four years. As a managing partner at ionOXess he is successfully setting new standards for the development of processes that efficiently remove micropollutants from wastewater treatment plants.Jürgen-Matthias Seeler has been managing the newly founded Business Administration Online Bachelor’s program since 2014 and is also responsible for the development and implementation of the blended learning concept, which the program is based on.MCI would like to extend its congratulations to the newly appointed professors.{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1004}Presscontact{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Austrian Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs Reinhold Mitterlehner and FIBAA’s Managing Director Daisuke Motoki present a double FIBAA Premium Seal to the Entrepreneurial School®   I   Excellent quality confirmed in international audit and accreditation processes   I   Only university to date to receive both awardsAn outstanding international achievement is reported by Management Center Innsbruck (MCI), which is required – pursuant to the Austrian Quality Assurance in Higher Education Act (HS-QSG) – to undergo an institutional university audit at least once every seven years. The audit and certification cover the fields of quality management, quality strategy, and quality assurance and development in study programs, teaching, research, internationalization and organization. The MCI also underwent a second audit on a voluntary basis, a particularly demanding audit for “Institutional Strategic Management Accreditation”. This comprises a thorough assessment of all aspects of the university’s work, a detailed strengths and weaknesses analysis and intensive self-reflection, with a strong focus on international orientation, dynamism, entrepreneurial thinking and action, and innovative strength.For both audits, MCI chose FIBAA, the international accreditation agency with its head office in Bonn and a reputation for high standards. All the greater was the delight at the MCI, when the exclusive Premium Seal was awarded in both (!) audits; it is reserved for universities that demonstrate outstanding standards of quality, which the auditors considered clearly the case in both audits at the MCI.The prestigious award was officially made to the MCI by FIBAA’s Managing Director Daisuke Motoki and Dr. Reinhold Mitterlehner, Austria’s Vice Chancellor and Minister of Science, Research and Economic Affairs. Just how great an achievement this is is clear from the fact that so far only 20 (!) out of 1,500 FIBAA-accredited degree programs have received the prestigious Premium Seal (including, since 2013, the MCI’s General Management Executive MBA and Master of Science in Management & Leadership). In the fifteen institutional accreditation processes so far conducted by FIBAA – it is a relatively new scheme – the Premium Seal has never (!) been awarded before. That and the fact that the MCI has been awarded the Premium Seal in both audits makes the achievement truly unique worldwide. Statements: Reinhold Mitterlehner, Austrian Vice Chancellor and Minister of Science, Research and Economic Affairs: "With FIBAA, the MCI selected an agency with an international reputation for high standards for the university audit and also underwent additional voluntary institutional accreditation. The resulting award provides recognition of the MCI’s own performance and orientation for other institutions and serves the further purpose of promoting these high quality standards. It is not only a distinction for the excellent result of the work put into developing the MCI but also for Austria as a university location.”Daisuke Motoki, Managing Director of FIBAA: “Management Center Innsbruck has given impressive confirmation that, as the Entrepreneurial School®, it is fully committed to the entrepreneurial spirit. FIBAA only awards the Premium Seal for outstanding quality. The fact that the MCI has received the Premium Seal in both audits is a unique achievement!"Bernhard Tilg, Tyrolean Minister of Science and Chairman of the MCI’s General Assembly: “I am proud of the Tyrol’s diverse and effective university scene. The MCI can rightly be considered a beacon of excellence in teaching and research, one that radiates well beyond the borders of the Tyrol. I should like to congratulate Rector Andreas Altmann and his highly committed team."Horst Wallner, Director of the Tyrolean Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the MCI Council: "Since it opened, the MCI has acquired a fine reputation in the international university scene. Today 3,000 students, 1,000 faculty members, 200 partner universities, 7,000 graduates and thousands of employers and internship providers place their trust in the Entrepreneurial School®. It is a great pleasure to be a part of this development.”Brigitte Auer, Head of Quality Management at the MCI: "Excellence in research, teaching and services, internationality, ongoing innovation, a clear commitment to achievement and social responsibility are some of our basic principles at the Entrepreneurial School®. The two audits were extremely demanding and complex, but the effort was worth it, and they will help us improve still further.” Andreas Altmann, Rector of the MCI: “I should like to express my thanks to our supporters, sponsors and partners for the trust they have placed in us over the years and for their generous support. I am particularly grateful to Brigitte Auer and her quality management staff for their excellent work and to the whole MCI team in research, teaching, management and administration as well as to our motivated students from all over the world for their outstanding cooperation. That makes work a pleasure and great things possible.”{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1000}Press contact:{mcicontact view=presse|id=1}

Starting at the end of October 2015: part-time MCI Executive Certificate Program in Sales ManagementOn what are often saturated and highly competitive markets, selling is becoming an increasingly challenging activity, both B2B and B2C. Today’s customers are more experienced and demanding and benefit from greater market transparency than ever before. Responding to these new and complex requirements calls for sales personnel and managers with a holistic mindset and a combination of up-to-date knowledge of the theory and practical competence at the level of implementation.The Executive Certificate Program in Sales Management is designed above all for executives, junior executives and other decision-makers in companies organized as small or medium-size enterprises. Outstanding lecturers with long years of academic and practical experience ensure that know-how that is well founded at the level of theory and methodology is communicated on a practical and intuitive basis.On completion of the course, students also receive credits for the MCI's General Management Executive MBA and Master of Science in Management & Leadership MSc, which have both received international accreditation.The course starts on October 29, 2015.Statements:Michael Seidl, Key Account Manager Austria, Logitech GmbH: “I was really impressed by the high standard. The lecturers all did an excellent job of combining theory and practice and communicating strategies that can be put into immediate effect in business life. Informal interaction with other participants not only helped me broaden my horizons but also delivered many ideas and suggestions that have changed my views on the daily challenges.”More Information:www.mci.edu/en/executive-certificate-courses/certificate-courses/sales-managementCounseling:Dr. Olena Rigger, +43 512 2070 2104, olena.rigger@mci.edu{phocagallery view=category|categoryid=1002}Presscontact: {mcicontact view=presse|id=1}