The history of the IBA
The IBA plays an important role for everyone who chooses to study here. We become part of each student’s story.
But, of course, the IBA also has its own history, stretching back many years – to a time when both our name and location were different from today.
Here, you can get an overview of the key milestones in the IBA’s history. This list will naturally continue to grow as time passes and new landmark moments emerge.
UNESCO SCHOOLS NETWORK
2024
In the summer of 2024, the IBA was added to the list of UNESCO Schools Network. This is a worldwide network of educational institutions that collaborate and exchange knowledge. Members recognise UNESCO’s values and the United Nations’ 17 Global Goals.
NEW RECTOR
2024
The former Pro-Rector, Jeanette Lemmergaard, takes over the corner office on the 5th floor from Niels Egelund, who has served as Rector for three decades. The new Rector brings several years of leadership experience from the University of Southern Denmark, where she has also taught.
INCLUSION
2023
The IBA receives the SammenomJOB Award. The IBA is awarded for creating job opportunities for people who, for various reasons, are on the margins of the labour market.
ORGANIC LABEL
2023
The IBA’s canteen receives the organic cuisine label (Det Økologiske Spisemærke). The IBA is awarded the bronze label for ensuring that between 30-60% of its purchased ingredients are organic.
3D PRINTING
2022
The IBA launches the country’s first full-time degree programme in industrial 3D printing. This is an 18-month top-up bachelor's degree.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
2022
The flags are out as the IBA launches its first full-time online programme. The first class consists of Marketing Management students. The IBA has a long tradition of online teaching, dating back to 1996.
LECTURER RECEIVES AWARD
2021
The IBA’s finance lecturer, Lars Bach, wins the 2021 Teaching Award. The award is presented by the Ministry of Higher Education and Science and was handed over by then-Crown Princess Mary (now Queen).
NEW BRIDGE
2021
More than 300 students, lecturers, staff, and local residents attend the opening as the IBA and SDU are connected by a bridge over Kolding Å. The bridge is also designed as a gathering space for students, measuring seven metres in width and 21 metres in length. "The bridge symbolises the connection here in Kolding and the great potential for further development," says the IBA’s Rector, Niels Egelund, at the opening.
IBA EXPANDS
2020
The IBA announces the acquisition of the 3D printing centre Nexttech. Under the name IBA Nexttech, it will serve as the foundation for the IBA’s future launch of the country’s first top-up bachelor's degree focused on industrial 3D printing. Later, the first group of professionals will also begin their further education in industrial 3D printing.
ARCHITECTURE AWARD
2019
The IBA’s new building receives an award in Kolding Municipality’s annual architecture competition. The IBA wins in the category “Public Purpose Building”.
OFFICIAL OPENING
2019
On the 4th of October, everything is set for the Minister for Higher Education and Science, Ane Halsboe-Jørgensen, to cut the red ribbon and officially open the new building. Mayor Jørn Pedersen and Rector Niels Egelund assist the minister.
ACCREDITATION
2018
IBA celebrates its first-ever institutional accreditation with coffee and breakfast in the streets of Kolding. This is the highest quality seal a higher education institution can receive in Denmark.
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS
2017
The first sod is turned for the IBA’s new building in Havneparken, on the site where the company Gimbel once stood. The event takes place on Friday, 8th of December. Hoffman is the main contractor for the project.
NEW PARTNERSHIP
2017
The IBA joins forces with Leeds Beckett University to offer English-taught Master’s programmes online. The IBA delivers the teaching in close collaboration with Leeds Beckett University, which also issues the degree certificate. At the same time, the previous agreement with London South Bank University comes to an end.
THE NEW IBA
2016
Kjaer & Richter win the architectural competition and present their designs for a new business academy, allowing the IBA to finally have a home of its own. The building is designed as a variation of the classic atrium house. Its core feature is the broad knowledge staircase, which is reflected as a distinctive glass pattern on the facade.
MORE SPACE
2016
Due to a lack of space in Ålegården, the IBA decides to rent nearby premises at Nytorv, where the continuing education department moves in across two floors.
CONFUCIUS CLASSROOM
2015
Confucius Classroom established. The Confucius Classroom is founded as a Danish-Chinese cultural collaboration between the IBA and Shanghai Lixin University of Accounting and Finance. The aim is to strengthen cooperation between education and business in China and Denmark. In practice, this means the IBA can offer Chinese language courses. Later, the Confucius Institute is opened in the IBA’s newly constructed building in Havneparken.
NEW ADDRESS
2015
The IBA bids farewell to its rented premises at Kolding Købmandsskole and Hansenberg. After the summer holidays, all programmes are brought together in rented facilities at Ålegården.
THE FIRST RECTOR
2009
A political decision is made to separate higher education institutions from upper secondary schools. As a result, on the 1st of January, the IBA formally becomes an independent institution. However, for several years, the IBA continues to share facilities with IBC and Hansenberg. The former department head, Niels Egelund, becomes the IBA’s first and long-serving rector.
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIP
2005
The IBA begins its long-term collaboration with Coventry University, allowing students to pursue an English-taught Master’s degree (MBA) at the IBA, offered by Coventry University.
MBA AT THE IBA
2003
The IBA offers English-taught Master’s programmes online in collaboration with London South Bank University.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE
1996
E-learning is introduced at the IBA for the first time—making it one of the pioneers in Denmark. This initiative arises from the fact that, at the time, the IBA is only authorised to offer two-year Academy Profession degrees.
With the new online option, students can add an extra year at The Open University in England to obtain a bachelor's degree. The IBA provides all teaching and materials, but the programme is accredited by The Open University, which also issues the degree certificate. The first cohort consists of four students. At the same time, the IBA’s Academy Profession degrees receive official recognition in England as an equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education.
NEW NAME
1991
The institution expands its international collaborations, enabling students to undertake eight-month internships at companies in the UK, such as British Gas, Reuters, IBM, and Siemens. As a result, the Handelsakademiet changes its name to IBA – International Business Academy to emphasise its strong international profile. Later, the name is adapted for the Danish market as IBA Erhvervsakademi Kolding, while the English name continues to be used internationally.
THE BEGINNING
1983
Kolding Købmandsskole (now IBC) operates as a traditional business school, educating young students. However, a new initiative leads to the establishment of Handelsakademiet for Trekantområdet. Students in the academy’s higher education programme alternate between company internships—where they are formally employed—and two-week periods of classroom learning. The curriculum focuses on economics and marketing, with admission requiring an HH diploma.