| IMI University Centre (International Hotel Management Institute) | |
|---|---|
| IMI Hotelfachschule | |
| Motto | To reach the Top, start at the Top. |
| Established | August, 1991 |
| Type | Private University - Education in Switzerland |
| President | Heinz Buerki |
| Dean | Prof. Michael Hitchcock |
| Academic staff | 55 |
| Students | 480 per year, In-house: 300, in internship: 180 [1] |
| Undergraduates | 440 |
| Postgraduates | 40 MBA, PgD |
| Location | Kastanienbaum-Luzern, Switzerland |
| Campus | Luzern, Kastanienbaum & Horw, CH |
| Website | http://www.ici-luzern.com |
IMI University Centre OR International Hotel Management Institute Switzerland (IMI) is a Swiss private University with three campuses located in Luzern teaching Tourism, Hospitality, Events Management and Culinary Arts.
IMI University Centre offers undergraduate, postgraduate and graduate programs, range from Certificate through to Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration (MBA) . In any semester there are over 50 different nationalities and the IMI- Staff is from over 10 different nationalities.
The teaching language of instruction is English. IMI’s educational partner is Manchester Metropolitan University in the UK (MMU).[2]
Contents |
An Internship (formerly known as in-training) is a paid practical training and play a crucial role in the education programme of IMI. The reason is that the hotel and tourism industry is constantly looking for individuals not only with a strong academic background but also with fundamental practical skills. And after each academic semester, students have an opportunity to do a practical training of 6 months in Switzerland (or as an alternative 12 months abroad). And according to the Swiss law in Switzerland all Trainees have to be paid.
The Internship positions are mostly available in hotels or restaurant in the German or French speaking part of Switzerland. Depending on the previous work experience and language skills, students will find positions mostly in operational departments like service, kitchen, housekeeping or reception. Some opportunities are also available in the UK, USA, Dubai and other countries.
IMI University Centre students who study for their Certificate, Diploma, Higher Diploma and/or BA Degree at IMI will receive two qualification: Swiss IMI award and the British MMU award. At BA level, Honours are given if the student passes his/her dissertation.
In August 1991 the International Hotel Management Institute was founded at the Hotel Waldstaetten in Weggis with 55 students. By 1995 already 180 students per semester were being taught at IMI. In 1997 the current campus was launched in Kastanienbaum 12 bus minutes away from Lucerne. Today, over 240 students are studying each academic semester at IMI which means the capacity of the current campus has been reached.
IMI Kastanienbaum is overlooking the Pilatus (mountain) and from the other side the Lake Lucerne, A new campus is confirmed to open in 2014 offering accommodation for around 500 students and the latest technologies and education facilities.
IMI University Centre has rented the hotel Waldegg in Horw to host external students.
IMI University Centre has rented the Hotel Central in Luzern for the 2010 intake, the Hotel is a three *** star Hotel and is in the Luzern City. IMI is the first University to offer a 3*** star hotel accommodation in a city for the students.
validated by Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU)
• Certificate in International Hotel and Tourism Management
• Diploma in International Hotel and Tourism Management (Cert HE)
• Higher Diploma in International Hotel Management (Dip. HE)
• Higher Diploma in International Tourism Management
• Higher Diploma in International Hotel and Tourism Management
• Higher Diploma in European Culinary Management
• BA Degree with Honours in International Hotel Management (BAHM)
• BA Degree with Honours in International Hotel and Tourism Management (BAHTM)
• BA Degree with Honours in International Hotel and Events Management (BAHEM)
• BA Degree with Honours in International Tourism Management (BATM)
• BA Degree with Honours in International Tourism and Events Management (BATEM)
• BA Degree with Honours in European Culinary Management (BACM)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) in International Hospitality Management (MBA)
• Postgraduate Diploma in International Hospitality Management (PgD)
• Foundation in English Studies Course (FESC)
• University English Preparatory Course (UEPC)
• Intensive English Certificate (IEC)
IMI has the legal status entitlement of the Swiss Canton of Lucerne to operate a college. The Lucerne government, in its most recent quality report described the school as “managed professionally” with “students obtaining good positions after they leave” [3] and IMI University Centre is accredited and Recognized by
• The Federation of Swiss Private Schools (VSP) Federation of Swiss Private Schools, which has national influence and is recognized internationally by the representative organisation of quality private schools in Switzerland. IMI's membership guarantees that the Institute is recognised by the relevant public sector education authorities internationally [4]
• The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) - is the UK government agency responsible for overseeing the quality standards of higher education provision in the UK. IMI's partnership with Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) means that the partnership is audited to ensure that students of IMI are following a fully approved programme of study, are treated openly and to the same standards as students studying at MMU. The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) was established in 1997 to provide an integrated quality assurance service for United Kingdom higher education.[5]
• Swiss quality label for further education institutions (EDUQUA) The certification and subsequent audits focus on the pedagogy of classes, continued development of academic staff and clear student feedback mechanisms to ensure top quality teaching standards.[6]
• The British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education (BAC) thus ensuring official recognition by immigration departments across the globe to facilitate the processing of study visas.[7]
• The Association for Tourism and Leisure Education (ATLAS) [8]
• Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) [9]
• The Swiss Association for Quality and Management Systems (SQS) [10]
• ISO 9001 :2000 certification IMI is one of the first Swiss colleges to meet the exacting globally recognized standards of ISO 9001:2000 certification, showing the Institute’s commitment to continual quality improvement.[11]
IMI University is member in:
• Luzern Tourism, IMI is the first active member of the Luzern Tourism Board actively working to promote Luzern as a student city.
• Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP)
• Quality Label for Swiss Tourism (QQQ) programme is supported by all major Swiss tourism associations. Its purpose is to enhance and safeguard the quality of service in Switzerland . The level QQQ means that IMI have successfully implemented a comprehensive and internationally recognised Quality Management System.
• International Hotel & Restaurant Association (IHRA)
• Institute of Hospitality (UK). Previously MHCIMA.
• European Foundation for Accreditation of Hotel School Programmes (EFAH)
• European Association of Hotel and Tourism Schools (AEHT)
• World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS)
• The Leading Hotel Schools in Europe (EURHODIP)
• Swiss Chefs Society (Schweizerischer Kochverband)
• Craft Guild of Chefs
• Euhofa International (EUHOFA)
• Cercle des Chefs de Cuisine (CCCL)
• The Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHRIE)
2008: 2008 Summer Olympics Games. IMI was chosen by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and by Luzern Tourism to be its hospitality ambassador at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. the IMI students helped to run the official House of Switzerland [12]
2009: All undergraduate programs are dual awards by both MMU Manchester Metropolitan University and IMI University Centre.
Luzern has hosted the first Global Tourism Forum. IMI was an executive partner during this event.
2010: 3 star hotel accommodation for IMI student in Lucerne City