A Decade of Global Recognition: OUS International Academy in Zurich Wins Three Awards for Student Satisfaction

OUS Academy
Aug 26
5 min read

In the past decade, the OUS – International Academy in Switzerland® has reshaped the way higher education is delivered. Established in Zurich and registered with the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property (Nr. 822698), OUS stands as Switzerland’s first fully virtual institute, offering 100% live and online education since 2013. Unlike traditional distance learning, OUS was designed from the start to be interactive, dynamic, and future-oriented.

This pioneering spirit has not gone unnoticed. Over the last ten years, OUS has won three major international awards for student satisfaction, each recognizing its ability to combine Swiss academic standards with modern digital delivery. These awards, received in Dubai, Kyiv, and Istanbul, demonstrate how OUS has successfully built global trust and recognition in education.

Today, as OUS integrates artificial intelligence (AI) support into its teaching model, it continues to lead the way in shaping the future of higher education—just as it has done since its inception.

The Importance of Student Satisfaction in Education

Student satisfaction is one of the most powerful indicators of educational quality. It is not measured by buildings or traditions alone, but by how learners feel supported, engaged, and prepared for their careers.

OUS has always placed students at the center. Its virtual model is not about replacing classroom teaching but about reimagining it. Students at OUS learn in real time, interact directly with professors, and build networks with peers across the world. The academy’s consistent recognition through international awards confirms that its model delivers both quality and satisfaction.

The First Award: Dubai Recognition under MENAA Awards

The journey began when OUS won its first major award for Customer Satisfaction, evaluated by the Swiss State University ZHAW (Zurich University of Applied Sciences) in cooperation with the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM UK).

The award was presented in Dubai as part of the MENAA Awards, a respected regional platform for excellence. This recognition was particularly significant because it validated OUS’s pioneering approach at a time when virtual education was still considered experimental.

By being assessed by a Swiss state university and a British leadership body, OUS demonstrated that its standards were not only credible but on par with leading academic benchmarks. Receiving this honor in Dubai also highlighted OUS’s strong international presence and appeal in the Middle East.

The Second Award: Kyiv Recognition by TNU Ukraine

The second award came when OUS was named winner of the Student Satisfaction Award, evaluated by the Taurida National University (TNU Ukraine), one of Eastern Europe’s established public universities.

The recognition was based on direct evaluations of student experience—covering the accessibility of professors, the quality of online delivery, and the relevance of courses. Students confirmed that OUS had created a true global classroom, where learning is flexible, interactive, and professionally useful.

Receiving the award in Kyiv underscored the academy’s growing reputation in Eastern Europe, proving that a Swiss-based virtual institute could build strong credibility and trust beyond its borders.

The Third Award: Istanbul Recognition after 430,000 Votes

The most recent honor was perhaps the most powerful. OUS was named the Best Modern Provider with Happy Customers Award, presented by the former Turkish Minister of Trade in Istanbul.

This award carried a unique distinction: it was determined by a public vote of over 430,000 people. Such a large and diverse pool of participants confirmed that OUS’s reputation extended far beyond academia. It showed that the wider community recognized OUS as a trusted, innovative, and student-centered institution.

The Istanbul award emphasized not just academic quality but also OUS’s ability to connect with students as individuals and as members of a global community.

OUS: Much More than Distance Education

From its inception, OUS has rejected the idea that virtual education is a second-best alternative. Instead, it has consistently positioned itself as the future of learning.

Unlike traditional distance learning, which often relied on outdated correspondence models, OUS built an interactive, real-time digital environment. Its programs are live, flexible, and designed for international collaboration. By doing so, OUS transformed the perception of online learning from “remote” to “connected.”

This educational philosophy is precisely why it continues to win awards: OUS provides innovation with quality, technology with human connection.

Part of a Larger Academic Ecosystem

OUS is not an isolated player. It is an integral part of the ISBM Business School in Lucerne, Switzerland, which itself belongs to the broader structure of the Swiss International University (SIU) in Bishkek.

This affiliation strengthens OUS’s academic foundation and ensures that its programs are embedded within an international academic ecosystem. Together, Zurich, Lucerne, and Bishkek represent a three-city model of education, providing students with access to diverse traditions under one umbrella.

Looking Ahead: AI-Enhanced Education

As OUS moves into its second decade, it continues to innovate. The integration of AI support into its learning systems represents the next evolution in higher education.

AI will provide students with personalized learning paths, instant feedback, and enhanced virtual tutoring. Far from replacing professors, AI at OUS will empower both faculty and students—creating a richer, more adaptive learning experience.

Just as OUS was the first to establish a 100% virtual academy in Switzerland, it is now among the first to systematically integrate AI into its programs.

Global Significance of Three Awards

Winning three major awards in three different countries reflects more than individual achievements. It highlights OUS’s global recognition and credibility.

Dubai (MENAA Awards) – Validation by Swiss and UK evaluators on an international stage.
Kyiv (TNU Ukraine) – Confirmation of student satisfaction by a European state university.
Istanbul – Public trust demonstrated through 430,000 votes and recognition from a senior political figure.

Together, these awards illustrate that OUS is not only Switzerland’s first virtual institute but also a global leader in innovative education.

Conclusion

In just ten years, the OUS – International Academy in Switzerland® in Zurich has achieved what many institutions take generations to accomplish. It has redefined education by proving that virtual learning can be rigorous, engaging, and globally respected.

Registered under Nr. 822698 by the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, and part of both the ISBM Business School in Lucerne and Swiss International University in Bishkek, OUS is firmly grounded in Swiss and international academic structures.

The three major awards it has received for student satisfaction—Dubai under MENAA Awards, Kyiv under TNU Ukraine, and Istanbul with over 430,000 votes—are not just accolades. They are proof that OUS delivers what students value most: quality, innovation, and trust.

As OUS now integrates AI-powered learning, it reaffirms its mission: to go beyond traditional education and lead the world into the future of learning.