On October 6, 2025, the Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society (HWG LU) celebrated the 30th anniversary of the dual study program "Business and International Programs" (BIP) together with more than 250 guests from politics, business, science and a strong BIP alumni community.
Launched in 1995 as the first dual study program in Rhineland-Palatinate, BIP - originally called "International Business Administration in Practice" - has developed into a real showcase project. In close cooperation with the Ludwigshafen Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Vocational School of Economics and BASF, a practice-oriented study model was created that continues to set standards today. With IBA (International Business Administration) and IBAIT (International Business Administration and Information Technology), BIP today combines two internationally oriented dual degree programs.
BIP stands for strong partnerships between universities and companies
The festive anniversary event took place in the university's auditorium and was moderated both charmingly and professionally by IBA alumnus Maurice Fuchs. The other speakers looked back on the creation and development of the program and outlined future prospects. After the welcome address by the President of the university, Prof. Dr. Gunther Piller, State Secretary Nicole Steingaß delivered a greeting from the state government and praised BIP as an innovative and consistent contribution to the integration of science and business in the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
A special highlight was the keynote speech by Michael Heinz, alumnus of the BIP predecessor program and member of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF SE, who also highlighted the success of the degree programs from a corporate perspective and emphasized the importance of strong partnerships between academia and industry.
Afterwards, representatives of long-standing partner companies - including BASF, SAP, JTI and Simona - as well as professors from HWG LU discussed current challenges of dual study formats, internationalization and the role of digital skills in studies and careers in a panel discussion.
Another central element of the celebration was the contribution of alumni and current students. Former students from the early years met young voices from the current cohorts. The intergenerational exchange underlined the lasting impact of the BIP program over decades - both in the personal and professional development of the graduates.
International perspectives were not neglected either: video greetings from visiting professors from all over the world and a speech by Prof. Dr. Chengyu Yang from Beijing Normal University underlined the global networking of the study program.
Further development of the model for excellent, practice-oriented and international education
At the Degree, Prof. Dr. Elmar Günther, Dean of the Department of Marketing and Human Resource Management and alumnus of the BIP class of 1998, looked to the future - with the clear goal of continuing to develop BIP as a model for excellent, practical and international education.
He particularly thanked Prof. Dr. Gerhard Raab, Director of Studies of the IBA and IBAIT programs, and Managing Director Kathrin Paul for the innovative further development and constant internationality of the programs. Since the establishment of the two degree programs, they have created an environment in which academic quality and practical experience come together ideally in trusting cooperation on an equal footing with the partner companies - supported by program assistant Daniela Röper.
The positive mood of the participants continued at the subsequent networking event. In a relaxed atmosphere with finger food and drinks, there was an opportunity to maintain contacts, exchange memories and gain new impetus for the coming years. Everyone agreed that they wouldn't want to wait another 30 years for the next event.
"We are overwhelmed by the consistently positive feedback we received from our cooperation partners and alumni who took part in the anniversary event. This underlines once again that the BIP program is more alive than ever three decades after its foundation - and is supported by a strong community, committed partner companies and the clear will to continue thinking about dual study formats for the future," summarized Prof. Dr. Gerhard Raab.
Further photos from the anniversary event are available at https://seafile.rlp.net/d/22fdee51ef974168a134/
More information on the degree programs:
- IBA: www.hwg-lu.de/studium/bachelor/internationale-betriebswirtschaftslehre-international-business-administration-iba-dual
- IBAIT: www.hwg-lu.de/studium/bachelor/internationale-wirtschaftsinformatik-international-business-administration-and-information-technology-ibait-dual
Contact:
Ludwigshafen University of Business and Society
BIP Management
Kathrin Paul
Tel.: 0621 5203-440 I E-Mail: kathrin.paul@hwg-lu.de)
