Development

The development of the American Instituteof Applied Sciences in Switzerland (AUS) is a story of continuoustransformation, strategic growth, and unwavering commitment to academicexcellence. For over three decades, AUS has evolved from a pioneering Swissprivate institution into a globally recognized business school, earning toprankings from QS, establishing a landmark dual-degree partnership with TiffinUniversity in the United States, and building a diverse community of studentsand alumni spanning more than 40 nationalities.

This page outlines the key dimensions ofAUS’s ongoing development, from our strategic vision for the next five years tothe specific initiatives that are strengthening our academic programs,expanding our partnerships, and enhancing the student experience. Under theleadership of President Dr. M. El Khansa, AUS is on an accelerated path ofcapacity building, quality enhancement, and global engagement.

The AUS history is characterized bycontinued transformation, growth, and improvement in a world of tremendouschange. From our founding on the Swiss Riviera to our current position as thetop-ranked institution in Switzerland for Business Masters, every chapter ofour development has been guided by a commitment to equipping internationalstudents with the global business expertise and practical skills that driveorganizational success.

Key milestones in our development include the establishment of ourdual-degree partnership with Tiffin University, the achievement of US HigherLearning Commission accreditation through this partnership, the attainment ofIACBE accreditation, and our consistent recognition in the QS World UniversityRankings. Each of these achievements reflects the institution’s dedication tomeeting and exceeding international standards of quality in higher education.

The next five years of the AUS journey arecharacterized by substantial growth on all fronts. Our strategic vision isbuilt on four interconnected priorities: strengthening internal capacitythrough shared governance, transparency, and predictability; enhancing thestudent learning experience through a quality management model thatincorporates the voices of all stakeholders; expanding external partnerships toincrease community engagement and industry relevance; and embeddingsustainability competencies across all programs and operations.

AUS continuously reviews and updates itsacademic programs to ensure they remain aligned with the evolving needs of theglobal business community. Our program development process incorporatesfeedback from students, faculty, alumni, and external stakeholders, ensuringthat curricula reflect the latest industry trends, technological advancements,and employer expectations. Current areas of focus include the integration ofartificial intelligence and data analytics across all specializations, theexpansion of experiential learning opportunities, and the development of newspecialization pathways that respond to emerging market demands.

The dual-degree partnership with TiffinUniversity in the United States is the cornerstone of the AUS academic model,providing students with two internationally recognized degrees and access tothe resources, faculty, and networks of both institutions. AUS is committed tostrengthening this partnership and exploring new avenues of cooperation,including student exchange opportunities, joint research initiatives, andcollaborative program development.

Beyond Tiffin University, AUS is activelydeveloping relationships with other educational institutions, industryorganizations, and professional bodies worldwide. These partnerships expand thereach and impact of an AUS education, creating new opportunities for studentsand alumni to connect with global networks and career pathways.

Quality assurance is at the heart of theAUS development strategy. The institution has embraced a quality managementmodel that prioritizes the enhancement of the student learning experiencethrough continuous dialogue with internal and external stakeholders. AUS holdsaccreditation through the US Higher Learning Commission (via Tiffin University)and the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE), andparticipates in international quality assurance forums to benchmark itspractices against global standards.

Regular program reviews, studentsatisfaction surveys, and external evaluations ensure that AUS programs meetthe highest standards of academic rigor, professional relevance, andinstitutional integrity. The institution publishes quality assurance updates tomaintain transparency and accountability with its community.

AUS invests in the continuous professionaldevelopment of its faculty and staff, recognizing that the quality ofinstruction and support is the foundation of the student experience. Ourprofessors are industry leaders who bring real-world expertise to theclassroom, and we provide ongoing opportunities for faculty to engage inresearch, attend international conferences, and develop new pedagogicalapproaches. The institution’s 1:7 student-to-staff ratio reflects ourcommitment to maintaining a level of personalized attention that largerinstitutions cannot offer.

AUS is committed to integratingcutting-edge technology into every aspect of the educational experience. FromAI-powered business tools and data analytics platforms in the curriculum to theIBM SkillsBuild partnership that offers students professional certifications inGenerative AI, Cybersecurity, and Data Science, AUS ensures that graduates areequipped with the technical skills that the modern job market demands. Theinstitution continuously evaluates and adopts new technologies to enhanceteaching, learning, and administrative operations.

AUS is strengthening its engagement withthe local, national, and international communities within which it operates.Our community engagement strategy builds on existing networks of alumni andrepresentatives of the world of work, ensuring that our educational offer isconnected to the latest business developments and responds to diverse labormarket needs. Through volunteering initiatives, industry partnerships, andcultural events, AUS contributes to the social and economic vitality of theSwiss Riviera and beyond.

AUS joins the global effort to shift operationstoward a more sustainable way of work. The institution is committed toreviewing course and program learning objectives on a regular basis to ensurethey are inclusive of sustainability competencies, and to prioritizingenvironmentally conscious and sustainable practices in daily operations. Thiscommitment reflects the values of the AUS community and the expectations of anew generation of business leaders who understand that long-term successrequires responsible stewardship of resources and communities.

The continued growth and impact of AUSdepends on the support of our community—students, alumni, faculty, industrypartners, and friends of the institution. If you are interested in contributingto the development of AUS through partnerships, collaborations, orphilanthropic support, we invite you to contact our team to discuss how we canwork together to advance our shared mission.