February 02nd 2016

MCI launches European Master in Health Economics & Management

MCI now offers joint degree program with the University of Bologna, the University of Oslo, and the Erasmus University Rotterdam – Exemplary European project co-financed by European Union – Joint academic degree – First degree program of this kind in Europe

After a pilot phase of three years, the joint master program in Health Economics & Management has now officially been introduced at the Erasmus University Rotterdam, the University of Oslo, the University of Bologna, and the Management Center Innsbruck. Completion of the EU-supported program leads to a joint degree, which is a certificate signed and recognized by all of the four participating universities. Through its international conception the program meets with the highest standards and thus offers an excellent qualification, which enables graduates to take on diverse tasks within the field of healthcare in Europe.

The European Union praised the innovative concept already at the beginning of the pilot phase three years ago, and consequently decided to support its implementation with 330.000 euros. The EU evaluation report particularly emphasizes the high academic standard of the program: “The consortium joins together four universities which integrate high academic standards and an excellent record of managing and implementing international projects.”

Students of Health Economics & Management greatly benefit from the synergies arising from the union of the four top European universities: With a close connection to practice, the joint degree program offers excellent supervision through internationally leading teams of lecturers and researchers, as well as the opportunity to gain specialization in one of the six areas listed below:
In order to celebrate the introduction of the innovative degree program, numerous executives of the World Health Organization, the European Centers for Disease Control in Stockholm, the globally active pharmaceutical companies GlaxoSmithKline and Roche, the European initiative EIT Health, the Main Association of Austrian Social Security Institutions, and the AOK Bayern, statutory health insurance fund of Bavaria, Germany, gathered in Innsbruck. The ceremony culminated in the MCI workshop on “The Future of Healthcare Services in Europe and Associated Consequences for Management Training”.

Prof. Antoinette de Bont & Prof. Hans Severens, Erasmus University Rotterdam
“The institute of Health Policy & Management (iBMG) at Erasmus University Rotterdam has been a leading force in the field of health economics and health care management in the Netherlands and is ranked amongst the top health economics research groups in Europe. As social and health challenges are increasingly ignoring national borders, international experience, cooperation, education and training will be a key to handle the future population health and health care systems. To meet these new demands we have initiated the consortium of ‘The European Master in Health Economics & Management’.”

Prof. Daniele Fabbri, University of Bologna
“EU-HEM is one of the top priorities at the University of Bologna. The program will strengthen the international position of all consortium partners and establish a new European standard in the higher education of health leaders. By virtue of academic cooperation and collaboration with potential employers EU-HEM will make excellent and innovative education affordable to talented students worldwide in a key field for the European Social Model.”

Prof. Oddvar Kaarbøe, University of Oslo
“The Department of Health Management and Health Economics at the University of Oslo provides several flagship programs for Norwegian health managers and policy makers. But the future health leaders will provide answers on global and cross national questions. With EU-HEM we prepare the floor for internationally trained decision makers in health management, health economics, global health, public health evaluation and health systems financing.”

Prof. Siegfried Walch, Management Center Innsbruck
“The European Master in Health Economics and Management (Eu-HEM) shows perfectly how internationalization of higher education works. This program is not only of strategic relevance for the participating universities, it is most of all a platform that provides international experience for future decision makers who will solve social and health issues at a global scale in international networks. This program therefore combines technical knowledge in health economics and management with the soft skills that are a key-prerequisite for any international cooperation.”

Dr. Christine Baur, Tyrolean Minister of Social Affairs
“If we seek to find solutions to the complex, and particularly social, challenges of our time, we depend on innovative and creative approaches. We are fortunate to have the knowledge we require to employ our distinct talents, perspectives, and skills for the creation of a society in which different needs are mutually recognized. A multidisciplinary degree program such as Eu-HEM not only facilitates cooperation beyond national boundaries, but also promotes understanding between different professional groups who are equally responsible for the establishment of a European social system.”

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Bernhard Tilg, Tyrolean Minister of Science
“With the support of the Tyrolean Parliament, MCI offers high-class conditions for studying and opportunities for personal development to young adults. I am delighted to see how the European Union supports the exemplary project of a European joint study program, which was to a large extent co-developed by MCI.”

Dr. Josef Probst, Executive Director of the Main Association of Austrian Social Security Institutions
“The Main Association of Austrian Social Security Institutions welcomes the implementation of the European Master in Health Economics and Management at Management Center Innsbruck. Based on a network of renowned universities, the program assists the internationalization of research. The interdisciplinary structure of the program moreover guarantees a profound and modern form of education and provides a strong signal for the educational approach in times of the Austrian health reform.”



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