Heinz Bürki
Message from Mr Buerki
IMI first opened its doors on the 30th July 1991. 55 students were welcomed by 12 staff members. Today, as I consider the very successful development of IMI, I must admit to being very proud to have achieved such results, in spite of inevitable obstacles.
Today, these numbers have increased exponentially: 250 students every semester and 55 dedicated staff members. Yet the family atmosphere still remains and this is not a coincidence. IMI is the only truly Swiss hospitality management institute, just as I, the owner and founder, am truly Swiss. I am still actively involved in everyday matters and my son-in-law is taking over in stages. This perpetuity and long-term planning is very beneficial to our students.
At IMI, students are trained not only in technical skills and management, but more importantly, their personalities and their soft skills are developed. This ensures life-long employability and the capacity to adapt easily in this fast changing world.
While we celebrate our history, IMI is always looking to the future. In 1997 we started our International partnerships and today thirteen such endeavours exist, allowing students to follow courses at our partner institutes and then to transfer to IMI, as part of their studies. These relationships have enabled IMI and all the partners to grow jointly and to be constantly in tune with the shifting educational and career demands of this dynamic industry.
My gratitude goes to all the stakeholders of IMI, who have contributed so much.
After twenty enthusiastic years, what keeps me motivated? Simple, whenever I meet graduates they tell me how much IMI helped them to become successful professionals and how self-confident they have become.
IMI is facing new challenges: a newly built campus will welcome 550 students in 2015 and soon we will be launching more new courses. Stay tuned!
