21 November 2025

15 Years of KLU: Hamburg Business School Positions Itself for the Future with its Operations Mindset

Kühne Logistics University (KLU) celebrates its 15th anniversary – and is looking ahead: With the Operations Mindset, the university establishes a new way of thinking that reaches far beyond logistics. It encompasses key capabilities that are essential across almost every industry today: systems thinking, solution-oriented action, and the ability to lead effectively in complex, dynamic environments.

“The Operations Mindset is our contribution to the future viability of business and society,” says KLU President Prof. Dr. Andreas Kaplan. “The Operations Mindset originated in the complex yet very tangible field of logistics and supply chain management, and that is precisely why it is universally applicable – wherever people, processes, and technologies must be intelligently orchestrated. ”Thinking, acting, and leading with an Operations Mindset means combining analysis and strategy with pragmatic realism and innovative solutions. Across all KLU programs, students develop skills such as thinking strategically, designing efficient processes, making data-based decisions, collaborating responsibly, and adapting swiftly to change. The concept has now been integrated into the curricula of all programs, and the first research projects on the Operations Mindset are already underway.

15 Years of Excellence and Growth

Since its founding in autumn 2010 by entrepreneur and benefactor Klaus-Michael Kühne, KLU has evolved from a specialized university in Hamburg’s HafenCity into an internationally recognized business school with a clear focus.

“These 15 years represent an impressive development: we have consistently internationalized our programs, strengthened our research, and secured a place among the top business schools worldwide,” says KLU President Prof. Dr. Andreas Kaplan. “It is the combination of academic depth and entrepreneurial relevance that defines the KLU experience.” Chancellor and Managing Director Dr. Immo Schmidt-Jortzig emphasizes: “What makes KLU truly special is our genuine internationality across faculty, administration, and the student body – now reaching a whole new level with our international campuses. Both our students and staff benefit immensely from this diversity. KLU offers unique opportunities for growth, which we aim to harness together.”

Major milestones in KLU’s history include the conferral of the right to award doctoral degrees in 2017 – one of only a few private universities in Germany to achieve this – and the attainment of the prestigious AACSB accreditation in 2023, an international hallmark of excellence held by just five percent of business schools worldwide.

Only a few weeks ago, KLU inaugurated its first international campus in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – the first of three planned locations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. This dynamic development has been made possible thanks to the generous support of the Kühne Foundation. 'Logistics is a global business, and our internationally focused KLU fits in perfectly with this.' The Kühne Foundation aims to educate more logistics specialists and managers worldwide. Fifteen years ago, the importance of logistics was widely misunderstood, particularly among business leaders, scientists and politicians. By establishing the KLU, we aimed to change this perception. KLU is training a new generation of leaders who combine logistics, management and social responsibility naturally,' says Dr Jörg Dräger, Executive Director of the Kühne Foundation.

Commitment to Hamburg

“Being an English-speaking university with more than fifty percent of students coming from abroad is part of our DNA. At the same time, we are firmly rooted in Hamburg – with strong partners in business and academia, and a deep sense of responsibility toward our students and our city,” emphasizes KLU President Prof. Dr. Andreas Kaplan. In recent years, KLU has increasingly become part of Hamburg’s public life: At this year’s HafenCity Run with 20,000 participants, KLU hosted the inclusive university hub for the first time. The student consultancy advisupply developed an optimized routing and food delivery solution for the Hamburger Tafel. Through formats such as Dock & Talk – Stories from the Top, President Kaplan speaks with leading executives like Felix Ahlers (CEO, FRoSTA), Rolf Habben Jansen (CEO, Hapag-Lloyd), and Marcell Jansen (former national football player and President of HSV). The Change Makers Dialogues invite open discussions on sustainable living and business.

Another highlight is already scheduled for next year: on February 21, 2026, KLU students will host the second TEDxKLU event on campus, expecting around 300 guests. Part of the globally recognized TEDx series, these locally organized talks feature entrepreneurs, visionaries, and researchers sharing innovative ideas for a sustainable future. “At KLU, I learned to unlock my potential, take responsibility, make data-based decisions, and keep people at the heart of what I do – that’s what the Operations Mindset means to me,” says KLU alumna and senior manager Marta Balbastre Zuriaga.

About KLU

KLU, Kühne Logistics University, is a leading, state-recognized, international university with campuses in Hamburg, Germany (headquarters) and Saigon, Vietnam. It offers English-taught Bachelor’s, Master’s, MBA, PhD, and Executive Education programs in business and management, data science and analytics, and notably, logistics and supply chain management. Named after its founder and benefactor, Klaus-Michael Kühne, one of Germany’s most successful business leaders, KLU is committed to empowering contemporary leaders with a strong Operations Mindset. Accordingly, its teaching and research activities blend academic excellence with a hands-on approach to ensure real-world applicability. Emphasizing digital transformation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, KLU shapes leaders to drive responsible and sustainable change globally. KLU holds the international AACSB accreditation, an honor bestowed upon 5% of the world’s top business schools. Students benefit from small classes and individual support from world-class, highly research-active professors. They can gain additional experience through integrated internships, participation in student and sports clubs, and international exchanges with prestigious business schools and universities. Tailored career coaching and partnerships with top companies ensure a successful career path.