IU International University of Applied Sciences (IU) is now the first educational institution to cooperate with the Bund Deutscher EinsatzVeteranen e.V. (BDV e.V. / Association of German Veterans). The goal of the collaboration is to open up new perspectives for Bundeswehr soldiers injured in combat through personalised educational programmes and pave their way back into the job market. On March 11, 2025, representatives of IU and BDV e.V. signed the framework cooperation agreement at the Cologne campus.
Through this cooperation, members of the BDV e.V. gain easier access to IU's more than 250 accredited degree programmes and approximately 500 continuing education programmes. Most of these are available via online teaching, independent of location and time, and can be individually tailored to personal learning needs.
Prof. Kurt Jeschke, Academic Director IU Corporate & Upskilling, commented:
"With our educational concept, we want to make a decisive contribution to giving these committed individuals the opportunity to develop professionally and shape their personal futures individually. For IU, it is not only an obligation but an honour to be available as an educational partner for those affected."
IU's educational offerings are characterised by technological innovation, flexibility, and barrier-free access. The distance learning and myStudium formats, as well as the upskilling programmes, are particularly well-suited, due to their digital nature, to provide deployment-disabled soldiers with easy access to qualifications.
IU also offers individualised compensation programmes to ensure equal opportunities for students with disabilities. The consultation hours for compensation programmes are available for booking and provide support with the formal application process and advice on suitable compensation programmes and options. The offerings are complemented by mentoring formats, study coaching, and a moderated online community for students with disabilities.
The cooperation measures will initially be implemented as part of a pilot phase with selected participants. Continuous monitoring and evaluation will ensure that support services are further developed in line with needs. The goal is to establish a sustainable model that can be implemented nationwide.
Andreas Eggert, Secretary General of the BDV e.V., said:
"Education is the key to a self-determined life after service. We are pleased that IU accompanies our veterans on their path to a civilian future – with respect, flexibility, and concrete prospects,"
The BDV e.V. is a central organisation dedicated to the needs of soldiers injured in combat and has been described by the Research Service of the German Bundestag as a "driving force for German veteran culture". The association focuses on giving those affected a voice and promoting their reintegration into the labour market. This is done through psychological, medical, and legal support—and, thanks to its cooperation with IU, now also through educational programmes and professional development.
Since its founding, more than 10 million soldiers have served in the Bundeswehr. Approximately 462,000 of them have been deployed abroad in more than 50 countries to protect democratic values. Various studies indicate that up to 20 percent of these deployed personnel return with a health impairment.
A significant proportion of veterans suffer physical and/or mental disabilities as a result of their service. These include impairments of hearing or vision, mobility, and psychological distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
These people also have a right to education, further training and participation in order to reorient themselves and integrate into civilian life.
