IGC: Celebrating IGC's 20th Anniversary

The International Graduate Center (IGC) turns 20 this year. Together with the IGC staff, faculty of the School of International Business and many other supporters, we celebrated with an official ceremony on June 12, 2024.

Numerous guests were invited to the ceremony in the entrance hall of IGC, including Prof. Dr. Konrad Wolf, Rector of HSB Hochschule Bremen – City University of Applied Sciences: "IGC has become a globally recognized institution of academic excellence. With its high proportion of international students, IGC offers the global perspective of intercultural exchange that is essential for a modern and comprehensive education." In his speech, he thanked all the staff, faculty and students who have contributed to this success over the past two decades.

Prof. Dr. Lars Büttner, Dean of IGC: "For 20 years, we have been providing students not only with theoretical knowledge, but also with the skills to successfully apply this knowledge in a changing and global professional world.”

IGC was founded in 2004 by Hochschule Bremen with the goal of offering excellent English-language Master's and MBA programs to international students. Initially located at Süderstraße 2, and since 2019 at Langemarckstraße 113, we at IGC have remained true to this goal to this day. Since the inception, more than 2,400 students from 103 nations have graduated from IGC.

Starting a career in Germany: IGC Alumnus shares his experiences

Among the guests was Enoch Toppo, a graduate of IGC's MBA in International Tourism Management program. He is grateful for the opportunities his studies opened up for his career in Germany. In a moving speech, he talked about how he came to Bremen from India to study in 2015 and how he has since been able to establish himself professionally in Germany: "I have learnt so much during my studies at IGC, and the whole environment at IGC and the faculty in this department have been very helpful to me."

Honorary Professorship for Dr. Günther W. Diekhöner

As part of the celebrations, Hochschule Bremen also appointed Dr. Günther W. Diekhöner an honorary professor at the HSB's School of International Business. The founder and managing partner of the Bremen-based innovation consultancy Die Denkfabrik Forschungs- und Entwicklungs GmbH has been closely associated with the faculty in teaching and cooperation for many years. For more than 20 years, Günther W. Diekhöhner has taught innovation management and design thinking in the part-time Master of Business Administration program at IGC. Since 2013, he has also been the chairman of the IGC Board of Trustees, supporting IGC with contacts to companies and institutions in the region.

Musical entertainment was provided by Christian Frank, Jens Schöwing & jazz band as well as tenor Julio Fernández & pianist Kristina Legostaeva.

Celebration of IGC's 20th anniversary

BBQ at Café Neusi's

The day ended with a BBQ for students and IGC staff at Café Neusi's. With delicious barbecue specialties and board games, there was plenty of opportunity for personal exchange in a relaxed atmosphere. The rainy weather did not discourage us.