Certificates, awards and memberships at IMC Krems
The primary goal of our university is achieving high-quality learning and teaching, research and development.
In addition, it is particularly important to us to make our commitment to sustainability and staff development visible and to set an example in this area.
Quality management
Quality management at IMC Krems
Quality management in line with international standards
Orientation towards the highest international quality standards is an integral part of our university’s internal strategy and is anchored in all areas of the company.
By consistently focusing on these standards, we strengthen our own responsibility and management capability at IMC Krems.
Goals of quality management
With the implemented quality management system, we aim to achieve high quality in teaching and research as well as continuous quality assurance and improvement in all areas.
Our university has two central tasks: on the one hand, we want to offer our students the best possible education in order to optimally prepare them for their future careers. On the other hand, we strive for excellence in research in order to create new, specialised knowledge and thus create added value for society.
Overall framework and culture of quality
Quality development needs a solid basis of defined quality criteria, methods and instruments. These factors form the framework for binding standards in study programmes and research.
Our university manages quality according to the PDCA cycle (plan – do – check – act).
Quality assurance and further development are based on a comprehensive quality management system, which integrates various tools, methods and processes.
A strong quality culture at our university means that each and every individual takes responsibility and contributes to the common goal of high quality.
Quality awareness with a long Tradition
As early as 1995, IMC Krems committed itself to setting up a comprehensive quality management system in accordance with international standards in order to guarantee performance and quality assurance. The first certification according to ÖNORM EN ISO 9001 was awarded in 1997.
Continuous further development is particularly important to us. Our organisational structures and processes are always adapted to our strategic objectives.
To prove our quality, we voluntarily undergo annual external audits. In addition, we are recertified every three years by independent certification bodies in accordance with the international standard ÖNORM EN ISO 19011.
As part of our activities, we are committed to continuously improving the quality of teaching, applied research and other services, their environmental impact and the effectiveness of the integrated management system.
Teaching & research
With regard to the assessment areas specified in section 22 of the Hochschul-Qualitätssicherungsgesetz (Quality Assurance in Higher Education Act), IMC Krems’s quality management system was reviewed in accordance with the evalag criteria for quality management.
Following a positive assessment, the evalag Accreditation Commission certified the university’s quality management system on 6 October 2017. The certification is valid until 5 October 2024.
Our university was the first higher education institution in Austria to obtain certification from Quality Austria in accordance with three internationally recognised management standards: ISO 9001 (quality management systems), ISO 14001 (environmental management systems) and ISO 29990 (learning services for non-formal education and training – expired 11/21).
ISO 9001 certificate
ISO 14001 certificate
ISO 29990 certificate (expired)
Expired certificate
Our bachelor degree programme and our master degree programme in Tourism and Leisure Management were awarded the international quality certificate ‘Accredited Member of THE-ICE’.
The special feature: our degree programmes were the first certified degree programmes in tourism management in Austria.
Expired certificate
IMC Krems earned the Institutional Accreditation quality seal of the Foundation for International Business Administration Accreditation (FIBAA), an international quality assurance agency specialising in education and science.
This certification covers not only our core activities – teaching and learning, as well as research and development – but also our entire organisational set-up.
AQ Austria
AQ Austria is the independent body responsible for external quality assurance in higher education, overseeing accreditation procedures and audits in Austria.
All result reports, expert opinions, and statements regarding our bachelor and master degree programmes can be found in our Download Center under Accreditations.
The FHK is a private, non-profit association dedicated to fostering and enhancing the quality of education, science, research and teaching at Austria’s universities of applied sciences. Moreover, the association promotes uniform standards and transparency in the higher education sector, and also carries out public relations work designed to raise the sector’s profile.
Membership of the AACSB is IMC Krems’s first step towards obtaining the desired certification of activities in its core subject of business.
In order to achieve this, the university is undergoing a multi-year evaluation procedure with a focus on teaching and learning, research and development, continuing education and graduates’ career prospects. The degree to which the university is integrated into the economy and its economic impact are also being assessed.
IMC Krems enjoys a high level of international recognition thanks to its membership of the EFMD’s global network. Based in Brussels, the foundation is Europe’s leading quality assurance and accreditation platform for information, research, networking, innovation and best practice in management development.
We participate in the ‘Atlas of Good Teaching’ project, covering an active exchange of ideas and experiences in the field of university teaching.
Good practice examples are made publicly accessible as a generic ‘online reference work’. Through its function as an overview tool and for the mutual exchange of information, the website is intended to support the continuous improvement of quality in teaching and make corresponding activities visible.
Sustainability & diversity
THE Ranking
The Times Higher Education Impact Ranking assesses the fulfilment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals at universities.
Our university takes part in the assessment of 5 SDGs. We are particularly proud of the results: for years, we have been one of only 2 to 3 Austrian universities listed among the best institutions worldwide.
Positive Impact Rating
IMC Krems is the best rated business school in Austria in the Positive Impact Rating (PIR) and has been awarded 4 out of 5 possible stars for several years now. This is a top result among the top European universities and colleges.
In the rating, students worldwide assessed the positive influence of their business schools on the world.
Memberships in the areas of sustainability and diversity
Sustainability and diversity are important to us. Here you will find an overview of our current memberships.
The PRME initiative promotes achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and lays down principles for sustainable business education.
We are in regular contact with PRME members in Europe and the rest of the world, and have built up extensive relationships within the DACH Chapter of members in the German-speaking countries.
queer@hochschulen is a politically independent networking initiative of LGBTIQA+ groups in the Austrian higher education sector. The group consists of students, lecturers and staff from various universities.
The aim is to provide mutual support for the individual groups and to realise joint projects.
Employer
“hochschuleundfamilie”
By participating in the “hochschuleundfamilie” audit and being awarded the state quality seal, we are positioning ourselves as a family-friendly university.
After all, it is a particular challenge in the academic field to optimally reconcile professional opportunities and family needs. As an employment and educational institution, IMC Krems therefore plays a key role in offering employees and students a family-friendly working and learning environment.
kununu Top Company
IMC Krems is regularly awarded the Top Company seal by kununu. This award from kununu demonstrates the satisfaction of our employees. Only around 5% of employers on kununu qualify for the seal.
IMC Krems is therefore among the 5% of the most popular employers on kununu, the best-known platform for evaluating employers, salary data and culture. This award recognises the commitment of IMC Krems and shows that we offer our team an optimal working environment and thus contribute to their satisfaction.
equalitA
We are one of the companies in Austria that are particularly successful in promoting women within the company and stand for equal opportunities, equality and fairness. This is also confirmed by the equalitA seal of quality.
The seal is awarded to companies and organisations that promote women and ensure gender equality within the company and make women’s careers visible.
Trainer Trophy: Top training company in Lower Austria
Apprenticeship training has been a high priority at IMC Krems for many years. We are therefore particularly proud to have received the Trainer Trophy as a top training company in the state of Lower Austria several times.
The award process focuses on the quality of apprenticeship training. In addition to the results of the final apprenticeship examinations, criteria include additional qualifications, further training measures, goodies for the apprentices and much more.
Vorbild Barrierefreiheit award
Our university was honoured with the “Vorbild Barrierefreiheit” (role model for inclusion) award. This honour recognises the university’s outstanding efforts to promote inclusion and break down barriers.
IMC Krems is thus setting a strong example for social participation.
Appreciation awards
Honoured: “Würdigungspreis” (appreciation award) for our graduates
The Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Science and Research has been awarding this prize to the 50 best theses in Austria every year since 1990.
We are proud of the outstanding achievements and varied career paths of our alumni. We would particularly like to honour our graduates who have received the “Würdigungspreis” for their excellent theses – an exceptional achievement!
Mag. (FH) Michael Teubenbacher (Export-oriented Management, 2004)
Würdigungspreis des Bundesministeriums für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur für die Diplomarbeit
DI (FH) Gernot Kleinberger (Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2006)
Würdigungspreis des Bundesministeriums für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur für die Diplomarbeit von
DI (FH) Eva Altinger (Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2009)
Würdigungspreis des Bundesministeriums für Wissenschaft und Forschung für die Diplomarbeit
Tanja Stoifl, MSc (Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2011)
Würdigungspreis des Bundesministeriums für Wissenschaft und Forschung für die Masterarbeit
DI (FH) Eva Fast (Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2012)
Würdigungspreis des Bundesministeriums für Wissenschaft und Forschung für die Masterarbeit
Barbara Maurer, MSc (Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, 2012)
Würdigungspreis des Bundesministeriums für Wissenschaft und Forschung für die Masterarbeit
Astrid Heine, MSc (Musiktherapie, 2016)
Würdigungspreis des Bundesministeriums für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Kultur für die Masterarbeit
Anna Traunbauer, MSc (Musiktherapie, 2021)
Würdigungspreis des Bundesministeriums für Wissenschaft und Forschung für die Masterarbeit
Katharina Ostatek, BSc, MSc (Musiktherapie, 2024)
Würdigungspreis des Bundesministeriums für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung für die Masterarbeit
Team Quality Management and Accreditation
Do you have any questions? Then write to us: qm(at)imc.ac.at