We are pleased to announce that Gisma University of Applied Sciences has successfully completed the Business School Impact System (BSIS) assessment process and has been granted its first BSIS label. 

The BSIS evaluation team highlighted growing positive impact across all seven BSIS dimensions, including financial, economic, societal and image dimensions of impact, leading to the award of the BSIS label.

Addressing the school’s achievement, BSIS Director François Bonvalet remarked:

“Gisma University of Applied Sciences has shown that a relatively young institution can demonstrate significant influence at regional, national, and international levels. The BSIS process confirmed the breadth of its impact and also highlighted its commitment to responsibility, innovation, and academic excellence. We look forward to seeing how the university continues to strengthen its role as a driver of knowledge and societal value.”

Gisma University of Applied Sciences

Gisma University of Applied Sciences is a state-recognised private institution based in Potsdam and Berlin, Germany. Established in 1999, it is accredited to award bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, technology, data science, engineering, and related fields.

The university combines rigorous academic study with practical, career-focused training, preparing students for leadership roles in international contexts. With a student body representing more than 95 countries and strong industry links, Gisma emphasises applied learning, global perspectives, and responsible management. Its mission is to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in a connected world.

Building a strong international identity

The EFMD BSIS review team concluded that Gisma has established a distinctive identity as an internationally oriented, impact-driven institution with influence at regional, national, and global levels. Its contributions are particularly strong in education, entrepreneurship, research, societal engagement, and regional collaboration.

Gisma’s financial impact is significant. The university generates approximately €7 million in direct expenditure and €43.6 million in indirect expenditure through students, staff, visitors, and related activities. This totals more than €50 million, rising to over €126 million when the broader economic effect is considered. Student internships, faculty consulting, and alumni entrepreneurial activity contribute substantially to local economic growth.

The university attracts a highly diverse student body, with 96 per cent of students from more than 90 countries. This diversity, coupled with an inclusive academic environment, enhances learning and fosters intercultural competence. The academic portfolio includes a Global MBA, double degrees with Kingston University, and a growing executive education programme.

Students benefit from practical, industry-linked teaching and experiential learning through workshops, hackathons, consultancy projects, and company visits. Employability outcomes are strong, with graduates pursuing local employment, entrepreneurial ventures, and family businesses, reflecting Gisma’s commitment to varied professional pathways.

Social responsibility in practice

Entrepreneurship is central to Gisma’s identity. Collaborations with the Sutardja Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology at the University of California, Berkeley, and new entrepreneurship programmes strengthen this focus. Alumni start-ups alone have created an estimated 120 jobs and €6.9 million in regional value.

This culture is reinforced by the Multidisciplinary Research Centre for Innovations in SMEs, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises through applied research, consultancy, and knowledge transfer in AI, digital ethics, sustainability, and innovation. Gisma is recognised as a catalyst for innovation and a trusted partner for government, industry, and professional bodies in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

Research output has expanded significantly since the university gained degree-awarding powers. Over the past three years, faculty have produced a substantial body of academic and professional work in AI, sustainable development, entrepreneurship, and consumer behaviour. Applied research ensures direct benefits for teaching and local businesses. Knowledge-sharing through conferences, public lectures, and institutional partnerships further enhances Gisma’s intellectual influence.

Societal impact is another strength. As a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Management Education, Gisma integrates corporate social responsibility and sustainable development across the curriculum, research, and operations. Around 75 per cent of students engage with sustainability issues, and 70 per cent of faculty embed these themes in teaching. Engagement extends into community initiatives, including work with the Rotary Club and support for displaced persons via JustPeace.

Gisma also plays a central role in the regional sector, providing skilled graduates, facilitating partnerships, and supporting economic development. Its influence is reflected in regional strategic initiatives and strong collaboration with industry, government, and other academic institutions.

The university’s reputation continues to strengthen through national and international accreditations, media coverage, and a growing digital presence. The launch of its Alumni Association in 2026 is expected to further expand reach, foster professional networks, and deepen long-term impact.

Overall, the BSIS review found that Gisma University of Applied Sciences makes a substantial and increasingly significant contribution across all dimensions. Its strengths in internationalisation, entrepreneurship, employability, regional collaboration, sustainability, and research underpin its growing reputation as a distinctive and innovative institution. The award of the BSIS label recognises these achievements and reflects Gisma’s success in creating measurable impact for students, businesses, and society.

Ramon O’Callaghan, President of Gisma University of Applied Sciences, commented:

“We undertook the BSIS assessment to evaluate our impact across the seven dimensions and establish a baseline for future strategic decisions. The process substantiated the university’s slogan “Create Impact” with measurable outcomes, strengthening its identity and attractiveness to stakeholders. It also revealed gaps and opportunities for both short-term gains and long-term strategies. Most importantly, BSIS helped build a shared understanding of Gisma’s regional footprint and transformed isolated achievements into a coherent story of impact.”

About BSIS

The Business School Impact System (BSIS) is the first comprehensive impact assessment tool for business schools, covering more than 130 indicators across seven dimensions of impact. It provides a tailor-made data collection system for monitoring, assessing, and developing the impact of business schools.

The BSIS process involves the definition of the impact zone and institutional scope, data collection, impact assessment, and the report with recommendations for future development. Demonstrating the school’s impact on internal and external stakeholders, the system serves as a communication and negotiation tool externally and fosters an impact culture within the school. Schools that undergo BSIS are awarded the BSIS Label for a three-year period.

• There are currently more than 90 schools across 25 countries that have received the BSIS label.
• To learn more about the impact assessment system, please visit the BSIS website or contact Julie Comte.

What is it like for schools to undergo the BSIS process? Discover the compelling journey of Blanka Cimcioch, International Accreditations Coordinator at Poznań University of Economics and Business, as she shares her insights on navigating the BSIS process, highlighting the challenges, seizing the opportunities, and reaping the rewarding results it has yielded. Read more.

For additional insights, announcements and perspectives, please visit the conversation on the EFMD Business School Impact System (BSIS).