Gisma University of Applied Sciences

ABOUT UNIVERSITY

GISMA University of Applied Sciences is a privately owned university in Germany, headquartered in Potsdam with an additional campus in Berlin. It was founded in 1999 as a result of a joint initiative by the German state of Lower Saxony and several major private-sector companies including Volkswagen AG, Continental AG, and Georgsmarienhütte Holding GmbH. These companies supported GISMA through annual donations and by enrolling their employees in its MBA programs. Initially established as a non-profit foundation, GISMA partnered with the Krannert School of Management (Purdue University, USA) to deliver MBA degrees. Professors from Krannert taught the courses, and students could complete their MBA in Potsdam or at Purdue. The first class graduated in July 2000. Over time, criticism emerged that the curriculum was too US-focused and lacked European business context. In response, GISMA expanded its own faculty and began offering regionally relevant programs, including an Executive MBA in Health Management in collaboration with Potsdam Medical School. In 2008, GISMA entered a partnership with Leibniz Universität Hannover, allowing students to earn dual MBAs from both Krannert and Leibniz. However, financial difficulties followed the end of its partnership with Krannert. In 2013, GISMA was acquired by Global University Systems (GUS), a for-profit international education provider, which rescued the institution from bankruptcy. Since then, GISMA has grown in scope and academic offerings. As of 2021, it provides a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, including an AMBA-accredited Global MBA. In 2024, GISMA entered a new partnership with Kingston University London, introducing double degree programs jointly awarded by both institutions. Today, GISMA combines international academic standards with a practical approach to business education, offering students a globally oriented and career-focused learning environment at its modern campus on Konrad-Zuse-Ring in Potsdam.