Germany’s higher education landscape has long been defined by academic rigor and a strong emphasis on theoretical foundations. Over the years, however, the country has witnessed a growing demand for more practical, globally relevant, and flexible learning models, driven by evolving industry needs and the digital transformation of education. In response, a new generation of institutions has emerged to bridge the gap between academic theory and professional application, blending innovation with accessibility. Amid this transformation, IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) stands out as a true trailblazer. What began as a modest private campus in Bad Honnef near the former German capital, Bonn, has evolved, in just over two decades, into Germany’s largest state-accredited university. Established in 1998 as the International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef (IUBH), IU welcomed its first cohort of only 23 students in 2000, but its vision was anything but...