Academic Accreditations, Industry Accreditations and Memberships
IMI possesses an impressive range of academic and industry accreditation, as well as prestigious Swiss and International memberships. It is important to understand what they mean for studies at IMI – a guaranty of quality in all aspects: academic studies, career support and other student services, which is approved by Swiss and International authorities and professional associations; it also increases students’ career potential.
Swiss Accreditations and Memberships
The Swiss Private School Register - The purpose of this Register is to certify high standards of educational services and thereby demonstrate the integrity and credibility of the registered private schools to the public, to authorities and to students. In addition, the Register aims to protect Switzerland's reputation as a centre for high quality educational activity as well as to safeguard the reputation of its private educational institutions. It helps students and parents to determine whether a particular educational institution is reputable and worthy of their confidence.
EduQua accredits over 990 schools, institutes and academies throughout Switzerland. It is the leading quality label in Switzerland for higher education. The Swiss Conference of the Cantonal Educating Directors recommends that the cantons check "the quality of the providers in the education sector in all of Switzerland based on the same criteria and make national subsidies dependent on a proof of quality (eduQua)". IMI is certified by EduQua for all its programmes, thereby underpinning the delivery of academic programmes in line with Swiss quality standards.
QQQ - Swiss Tourism's quality label is supported by all major Swiss tourism associations to enhance and safeguard the quality of service in Switzerland. The top level of QQQ means that IMI has successfully implemented a comprehensive and internationally recognised Quality Management System into its strategy, structure and daily operations. There are all together ONLY 3 Hotel Management Schools which have been accredited with this label of superior quality.
SFPS - Swiss Federation of Private Schools. The 260 schools and colleges belonging to SFPS s provide a personalised service with regard to students’ educational goals. The members of the federation, including IMI, support and encourage innovation, and are recognized nationally and internationally as the leading private schools in Switzerland.
Schweiz Tourismus - IMI is official member of Schweiz Tourismus (Swiss Tourism). Swiss Tourism is the national marketing and sales organization for Switzerland, insuring the quality of hospitality services provided.
Luzern Tourism – As a shareholder, IMI is an active member of the Luzern Tourism Board and is working to promote Luzern as a student city. This membership helps IMI to engage with Luzern and to be part of the local information system, and this can yield opportunities for students.
International Accreditations and Memberships
BAC - British Accreditation Council accreditation is regarded by students, agents and governments throughout the world as a very reliable guide to educational quality within the private sector. For example, institutions accredited by BAC are recognized as qualifying to enrol visa students by UK Government's Home Office. With over 25 years of experience, BAC inspectors with their extensive knowledge of the educational sector provide invaluable advice to accredited institutions like IMI.
ISO - International Organization for Standardization. ISO is the world's largest developer and publisher of international standards. Standards make a major and positive contribution to our lives and support the development of desirable qualities such as efficiency, reliability and environmental awareness. IMI was one of the first Swiss Colleges to meet ISO's exacting standards of 9001:2000 and showing that its commitment to continual improvement in quality. ISO insures IMI industry partners that its programmes are delivered in line with hospitality sector requirements and industry standard, which increases employability of IMI students. "IMI is organized and managed efficiently to meet the needs of its first set of customers, the students, as well as its second set, the future employers of the students". Adrian Burkhardt, Lead Auditor, ISO – SQS
AEHT - Association Européenne des Ecoles d'Hôtellerie et de Tourisme (European Association of Hotel and Tourism Schools). The AEHT is a membership organisation devoted to promoting a European perspective among hotel and tourism schools. The AEHT fosters closer links between schools and businesses, and encourages exchanges of students and staff between colleges. The AEHT supports the pooling of teaching methods, materials, knowledge and skills, and organizes events to bring together its membership. It provides a useful cordon of networks and knowledge that benefits students studying in schools such as IMI.
Institute of Hospitality - IMI is a subscriber to the Institute of Hospitality's Education Membership Scheme (EMS), which allows our hospitality, events and tourism students the opportunity to register for student membership with the Institute a low charge for the duration of their courses. The Institute provides access to e-books and journals, as well as its catalogue. Students are encouraged to join to help shape the future of the Institute and to keep up to date with the hospitality sector.
PATA – Pacific Asia Travel Association is a membership organization that acts as a catalyst for the development of sustainable growth, value and quality in travel and tourism. IMI is located in Europe, but its membership in this leading travel association demonstrates its full engagement with this important region. Membership of PATA enables IMI to keep up with innovations in quality emerging Asian markets, and shows its ongoing commitment to students and employers from this region. IMI recognizes that many of its students from Asia Pacific, as well as increasing numbers of its students from Europe and elsewhere, will be working in this region.
Why is IMI different? What are the USP’s of IMI?
As IMI is a small but professional school, each student gets the highest level of individual support.
Many guest lecturers and/or visiting professors with international reputation
All assessments and examinations are evaluated externally which guarantees the students a fair treatment. This is not always the case at other Swiss Hotel Management Schools
The Internship Services and Career Services Department help to find internships in Switzerland and abroad free of charge. In addition, our bi-annual Career Days offer a variety of industry visitors from different countries. The Career Services department’s assistance is now even extended to IMI Alumni.
The Career Services Department helps BA and MBA graduates in finding their first full time employment (either full time job or management training programme) free of charge!
Projects in class are linked to the real world, such as e.g. development of an Iphone application
Student centred active learning
Extensive use of computer-based learning
Picturesque, safe and caring environment
Small classes, high teacher per student ratio
Highly qualified Academic Staff, Career Staff and Internship Staff
Why can IMI not be found in international hotel school rankings?
IMI cannot be found in such rankings, simply because there is no official and recognized ranking of Swiss hotel schools available. |
