Gisma Business School: Bridging the Gap between Conventional University Study and the Shifting Requirements of Today's Global Marketplace
Hon. Dr. Ivo Matser, President, Gisma Business School
"Those that know, do. Those that understand, teach." - Aristotle
Recognized as a hub for technology, research and innovation, Germany is one of the most popular destinations for international students looking to pursue an MBA. With its successful industries and flourishing economy, making it the largest in Europe and fourth largest in the world, Germany is an attractive choice for knowledge-seekers. It has also long enjoyed being a haven for higher education thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure, world-class facilities and lack of tuition fees. With a vision to retain the management talent in Germany and attract skilled internationals to study and subsequently work in the country, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder and a selected number of companies like Volkswagen, Continental or TUI established GISMA Business School, the German International Graduate School of Management and Administration in Hannover.
GISMA is a German business school which offers accredited degree programs, executive education and language programs in English, in partnership with globally-recognized institutions, such as Kingston University and Grenoble Ecole de Management. The programs' course content is based on up-to-date core management courses and cross-functional approaches, in order to fulfil the demand for first-class international and global managers. The MBA course is offered at GISMA Business School and delivered and awarded by the triple-accredited institution Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM). GEM's triple accreditation includes AMBA (Association of MBA's), EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) and AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), an honor shared by less than one per cent of the world's elite business schools.
Creating Ethical Leaders who can adapt and thrive within any Business Environment
GISMA offers all its programs in English and provides students with the option to study German on campus, should they wish to pursue a career here after completing their studies. The institute offers globally-recognized BA and BSc undergraduate degrees and master's degrees, including MIB and MSc programs, in collaboration with Kingston University, and Grenoble Ecole de Management to name but a few. These programs are offered across the college's four campuses, located in Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover and London. GISMA focuses on management skills in a variety of business areas, such as human resources, marketing, finance and strategy. Studying with this prestigious institution gives students the opportunity to lead teams, make good strategic decisions and improve productivity in any business environment. The college, in partnership with Grenoble Ecole de Management and Kingston University, has 40 programs for students to choose from, and most of these programs are for one year. These courses are aimed at future managers, leaders, consultants and entrepreneurs, as well as anyone who wishes to take the next step in their career. GISMA also runs scholarship programs which students are required to write a small scholarship essay for if they wish to apply. After completing the courses, the students can work in Germany for a year and a half, with the same visa.
"We have agreements with various institutions such as The University of Law, both of which are UK based institutions and globally respected. This means the students can be a part of this prestigious law school and join their alumni network too. We offer a number of postgraduate and undergraduate degrees along with executive education and foundation courses; the Engineering Management MSc and Data Analytics MSc programmes are popular amongst Indian prospective students," says Dr Ivo Matser, President of GISMA Business University of Applied Sciences.
Dr Matser further states: "Due to the thriving economy and job market, the country offers excellent career opportunities for skilled professionals after graduation. Our Career Development prepares students for a career after their studies and is pivotal in providing opportunities throughout their studies to network, experience local business and gain real-world experience. Students also enjoy being able to work in Germany for a further 18 months after graduation, thanks to their student visa."
Assisting Students with their Career Goals
GISMA cooperates with a network of international organizations, supporting the business community by preparing international students for the German, British and global economy. With a vision to educate individuals to be responsible members of the global business community, GISMA places emphasis on practice-oriented and inspiring management education at the highest academic level to enable students to be engaged in life-long learning.
"Business education at GISMA is not just limited to the classroom. Most of our professors are working as senior managers within the business sector. They are not just academics, they enrich the learning experience through their industry knowledge and background. Due to our teaching staff's professional network and the nature of the programmes, students often benefit from live business cases, practical projects in the classroom along with various networking opportunities that often lead to internships, placements and full-time jobs upon graduation. We also have two start-ups that are working in our campus itself, which means students get a chance to see first-hand how start-ups operate and work," says Dr Matser.
GISMA also offers specialized services to help students fulfill their career goals and improve their professional and personal development.
"We provide excellent guidance support on our campus to assist students through career counseling. We make sure students receive many opportunities and participate in various activities. For example, company visits happen regularly and students are taught how to prepare a resume and advance their communication skills, a valued skill for graduates. These activities tie in well with Berlin as a start-up hub and entrepreneurial city, along with one of the programs that is offered by GISMA and Grenoble Ecole de Management, the MSc Innovation, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship. The GISMA Career Development Centre works hard to keep connected with companies and organizations alike and prepares students to meet the demands and requirements of the local and international job market," states Dr Matser.
Charting the Path Ahead
Established in 1999, GISMA was a joint initiative of the German state with several organizations around the region including Continental, Georgsmarienhutte, Nord/LB, Siemens, TUI and Volkswagen. GISMA was subsequently taken over by Global University Systems (GUS) in 2013, which owns 32 universities around the world. Today, GISMA Business School is a highly-recognized name by prospective students who are selecting colleges and courses in Germany.
"We have grown exponentially over the years. We started with a small campus, a handful of students and programs and we now have four centres, across Germany and the UK, one of which is located in central Berlin. Our recent partnership with Kingston Business School will see the delivery of British postgraduate degrees at GISMA's Hamburg site. With our international community growing at a fast pace, it is a strong indicator that our presence and prestige will continue to flourish, with a positive future ahead." shares Dr Matser.
GISMA is one hundred per cent committed to providing high-quality business education to those looking to further their career in various industry sectors. The professors are highly devoted professionals who are always willing to engage in academic discussion. They not only have extensive academic experience but they are well-versed with changing industry trends as well. Small classroom sizes allow for intimate group discussions and valuable time with faculty and staff to enhance the learning experience even further.
By sharing his last piece of advice for the international students, Ivo concludes: "If you are planning on moving to Germany to start your higher education, I would advise learning German. It makes day-to-day life a lot easier. The positive thing is, we have a programme specifically catered towards teaching the German language, or offer free German classes with our courses. Secondly, choose your degree carefully by looking at the program and curriculum in detail. The most important thing is that the course content is relevant to you and then you can look into the university or college. It is the program that will help your future growth in the long run, not the university or institution."
Alumni Talk
"I am thankful to GISMA Careers Centre for laying the groundwork for my career. It was the career workshops which gave me the confidence I needed and prepared me for the job market."Narendra Lokireddy, GISMA alumnus
"The main attraction of studying in Berlin was the city's international business environment. GISMA provides great courses in this fantastic city. The capital is one of the most interesting places in Europe and it is made for young people - in fact, it's also the capital of start-ups. A lot of interesting business is taking place over here."David Mascanzoni, GISMA alumnus
"In my class we have fourteen different nationalities which mean we have fourteen different ways of doing the same thing. Everybody brings their own talent."Tariq Khaleeq, Grenoble MSc Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship
"I use the lessons I learnt to bring solutions to my customers. It was a worthy investment decision, and I hope to keep harvesting the benefits as much as I can."Rebecca Obikunle, GISMA alumna
"Studying an MBA at GISMA is a one of a kind experience. You can meet people from around the world and anything is possible at GISMA. There's nothing to hold you back."Craig Curtis, GISMA alumnus
"GISMA is an open and friendly environment. I felt at home, in a place where people were curious about me and I could be curious about them. I was in a very positive, vibrant place the whole time here."Giacomo Petenazzo, GISMA alumnus
Hon. Dr. Ivo Matser, President
Hon. Dr. Ivo Matser is a specialist in managing and leading organizational change and development of private higher education institutions. With almost 30 years of enriched experience in international business and education, Ivo Master has a strong hold in leadership roles in renowned education establishments of Europe. He has extensive work experience with Twente School of Management, where he was the CEO. At present, he is the Vice-Chairman of an institutional accreditations committee of Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA). He is the former CEO of ISM University of Management and Economics. Amidst working in these positions, Master also consults for various industries and is a member of the board of Academy of Management and Society (ABIS). His expertise lies in managing and leading waves of changes in organizations, and in turn developing the private higher education institutions. He is devoted to his purpose of increasing brand-value of organizations by working in three different roles of senior executive manager, board member, and as a consultant. He is playing the part of a major differentiator for GISMA as he leads the school to become powerful by launching its own accredited programs.
Recognized as a hub for technology, research and innovation, Germany is one of the most popular destinations for international students looking to pursue an MBA. With its successful industries and flourishing economy, making it the largest in Europe and fourth largest in the world, Germany is an attractive choice for knowledge-seekers. It has also long enjoyed being a haven for higher education thanks to its state-of-the-art infrastructure, world-class facilities and lack of tuition fees. With a vision to retain the management talent in Germany and attract skilled internationals to study and subsequently work in the country, former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder and a selected number of companies like Volkswagen, Continental or TUI established GISMA Business School, the German International Graduate School of Management and Administration in Hannover.
GISMA is a German business school which offers accredited degree programs, executive education and language programs in English, in partnership with globally-recognized institutions, such as Kingston University and Grenoble Ecole de Management. The programs' course content is based on up-to-date core management courses and cross-functional approaches, in order to fulfil the demand for first-class international and global managers. The MBA course is offered at GISMA Business School and delivered and awarded by the triple-accredited institution Grenoble Ecole de Management (GEM). GEM's triple accreditation includes AMBA (Association of MBA's), EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System) and AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business), an honor shared by less than one per cent of the world's elite business schools.
Creating Ethical Leaders who can adapt and thrive within any Business Environment
GISMA offers all its programs in English and provides students with the option to study German on campus, should they wish to pursue a career here after completing their studies. The institute offers globally-recognized BA and BSc undergraduate degrees and master's degrees, including MIB and MSc programs, in collaboration with Kingston University, and Grenoble Ecole de Management to name but a few. These programs are offered across the college's four campuses, located in Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover and London. GISMA focuses on management skills in a variety of business areas, such as human resources, marketing, finance and strategy. Studying with this prestigious institution gives students the opportunity to lead teams, make good strategic decisions and improve productivity in any business environment. The college, in partnership with Grenoble Ecole de Management and Kingston University, has 40 programs for students to choose from, and most of these programs are for one year. These courses are aimed at future managers, leaders, consultants and entrepreneurs, as well as anyone who wishes to take the next step in their career. GISMA also runs scholarship programs which students are required to write a small scholarship essay for if they wish to apply. After completing the courses, the students can work in Germany for a year and a half, with the same visa.
"We have agreements with various institutions such as The University of Law, both of which are UK based institutions and globally respected. This means the students can be a part of this prestigious law school and join their alumni network too. We offer a number of postgraduate and undergraduate degrees along with executive education and foundation courses; the Engineering Management MSc and Data Analytics MSc programmes are popular amongst Indian prospective students," says Dr Ivo Matser, President of GISMA Business University of Applied Sciences.
Dr Matser further states: "Due to the thriving economy and job market, the country offers excellent career opportunities for skilled professionals after graduation. Our Career Development prepares students for a career after their studies and is pivotal in providing opportunities throughout their studies to network, experience local business and gain real-world experience. Students also enjoy being able to work in Germany for a further 18 months after graduation, thanks to their student visa."
Assisting Students with their Career Goals
GISMA cooperates with a network of international organizations, supporting the business community by preparing international students for the German, British and global economy. With a vision to educate individuals to be responsible members of the global business community, GISMA places emphasis on practice-oriented and inspiring management education at the highest academic level to enable students to be engaged in life-long learning.
"Business education at GISMA is not just limited to the classroom. Most of our professors are working as senior managers within the business sector. They are not just academics, they enrich the learning experience through their industry knowledge and background. Due to our teaching staff's professional network and the nature of the programmes, students often benefit from live business cases, practical projects in the classroom along with various networking opportunities that often lead to internships, placements and full-time jobs upon graduation. We also have two start-ups that are working in our campus itself, which means students get a chance to see first-hand how start-ups operate and work," says Dr Matser.
GISMA also offers specialized services to help students fulfill their career goals and improve their professional and personal development.
"We provide excellent guidance support on our campus to assist students through career counseling. We make sure students receive many opportunities and participate in various activities. For example, company visits happen regularly and students are taught how to prepare a resume and advance their communication skills, a valued skill for graduates. These activities tie in well with Berlin as a start-up hub and entrepreneurial city, along with one of the programs that is offered by GISMA and Grenoble Ecole de Management, the MSc Innovation, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship. The GISMA Career Development Centre works hard to keep connected with companies and organizations alike and prepares students to meet the demands and requirements of the local and international job market," states Dr Matser.
Charting the Path Ahead
Established in 1999, GISMA was a joint initiative of the German state with several organizations around the region including Continental, Georgsmarienhutte, Nord/LB, Siemens, TUI and Volkswagen. GISMA was subsequently taken over by Global University Systems (GUS) in 2013, which owns 32 universities around the world. Today, GISMA Business School is a highly-recognized name by prospective students who are selecting colleges and courses in Germany.
"We have grown exponentially over the years. We started with a small campus, a handful of students and programs and we now have four centres, across Germany and the UK, one of which is located in central Berlin. Our recent partnership with Kingston Business School will see the delivery of British postgraduate degrees at GISMA's Hamburg site. With our international community growing at a fast pace, it is a strong indicator that our presence and prestige will continue to flourish, with a positive future ahead." shares Dr Matser.
GISMA is one hundred per cent committed to providing high-quality business education to those looking to further their career in various industry sectors. The professors are highly devoted professionals who are always willing to engage in academic discussion. They not only have extensive academic experience but they are well-versed with changing industry trends as well. Small classroom sizes allow for intimate group discussions and valuable time with faculty and staff to enhance the learning experience even further.
By sharing his last piece of advice for the international students, Ivo concludes: "If you are planning on moving to Germany to start your higher education, I would advise learning German. It makes day-to-day life a lot easier. The positive thing is, we have a programme specifically catered towards teaching the German language, or offer free German classes with our courses. Secondly, choose your degree carefully by looking at the program and curriculum in detail. The most important thing is that the course content is relevant to you and then you can look into the university or college. It is the program that will help your future growth in the long run, not the university or institution."
Alumni Talk
"I am thankful to GISMA Careers Centre for laying the groundwork for my career. It was the career workshops which gave me the confidence I needed and prepared me for the job market."Narendra Lokireddy, GISMA alumnus
"The main attraction of studying in Berlin was the city's international business environment. GISMA provides great courses in this fantastic city. The capital is one of the most interesting places in Europe and it is made for young people - in fact, it's also the capital of start-ups. A lot of interesting business is taking place over here."David Mascanzoni, GISMA alumnus
"In my class we have fourteen different nationalities which mean we have fourteen different ways of doing the same thing. Everybody brings their own talent."Tariq Khaleeq, Grenoble MSc Innovation, Strategy and Entrepreneurship
"I use the lessons I learnt to bring solutions to my customers. It was a worthy investment decision, and I hope to keep harvesting the benefits as much as I can."Rebecca Obikunle, GISMA alumna
"Studying an MBA at GISMA is a one of a kind experience. You can meet people from around the world and anything is possible at GISMA. There's nothing to hold you back."Craig Curtis, GISMA alumnus
"GISMA is an open and friendly environment. I felt at home, in a place where people were curious about me and I could be curious about them. I was in a very positive, vibrant place the whole time here."Giacomo Petenazzo, GISMA alumnus
Hon. Dr. Ivo Matser, President
Hon. Dr. Ivo Matser is a specialist in managing and leading organizational change and development of private higher education institutions. With almost 30 years of enriched experience in international business and education, Ivo Master has a strong hold in leadership roles in renowned education establishments of Europe. He has extensive work experience with Twente School of Management, where he was the CEO. At present, he is the Vice-Chairman of an institutional accreditations committee of Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA). He is the former CEO of ISM University of Management and Economics. Amidst working in these positions, Master also consults for various industries and is a member of the board of Academy of Management and Society (ABIS). His expertise lies in managing and leading waves of changes in organizations, and in turn developing the private higher education institutions. He is devoted to his purpose of increasing brand-value of organizations by working in three different roles of senior executive manager, board member, and as a consultant. He is playing the part of a major differentiator for GISMA as he leads the school to become powerful by launching its own accredited programs.
