The University of Passau is an innovator in digitalisation for research, teaching and administration, driving the digital transformation forward through a wide range of activities and offers.
The University of Passau is pioneering digitalisation in a number of different disciplines. The Passau Institute of Digital Security (PIDS) researches innovative solutions in the field of cybersecurity and data protection. The Institute for Law and Digital Society (IRDG) explores the legal challenges of digitalisation. The FORWISS research institute serves as an interface between the University and the business world, developing and deploying the latest technologies in small, medium and large enterprises and research organisations as well as for national projects. The research conducted at FORWISS focuses on areas such as image processing, optical metrology, 3D-printing applications, advanced driver-assistance systems and environmental perception. This gives students an insight into industrial development while they are studying for their degrees. The University also offers numerous degree programmes that specialise in digital transformation. The Bachelor of Science programme in Digital Transformation in Business and Society provides students with economic and business knowledge as well as the IT competencies they need to take an active role in the digital transformation. Digitalisation also plays an important role in the humanities. In the “eHumanities” area, scholars conduct research on the ways in which digitalisation is changing the humanities and social sciences.
The University of Passau pursues a holistic and sustainable approach in the field of artificial intelligence. Sustainability plays a central role in AI research at the University of Passau. On the one hand, the aim is to develop and utilise AI systems according to sustainable principles. This includes aspects such as energy efficiency, resource conservation and ecological compatibility. On the other hand, the social framework conditions for the responsible use of AI must also be taken into account. In addition to a solid technical understanding, this also includes normative and ethical issues as well as socio-cultural, economic and ecological factors. Ultimately, AI should serve as a tool to promote the sustainable development of society in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The University of Passau is therefore continuously establishing AI professorships in various faculties in order to ensure an interdisciplinary and sustainable focus in the field of AI.
Several chairs and professorships have been established at the Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics (FIM) that deal with AI engineering, machine learning and the explainability and trustworthiness of AI systems.FIM offers the English-language Master's degree programme in Artificial Intelligence Engineering, in which students acquire in-depth knowledge of theories, algorithms and methods for the design and development of AI-based systems.
As part of Bavaria's high-tech agenda, the University of Passau is systematically expanding its focus on digitalisation.The establishment of a cross-faculty research forum promotes internal interdisciplinary networking in the field of AI research. In this way, research in the field of basic AI research and the application of AI will cross-fertilise each other, leading to innovative and sustainable solutions.
The University of Passau regularly invests in its digital infrastructure. In cooperation with the Bavarian State Ministry for Digital Affairs it is developing the energy-efficient “Bavarian Green Data Center”. The University is also a member of the Bavarian Research Network for Digital Security. Research projects such as “Mobility-Enhancing Infrastructure” and “TeleKiN – Telemedical Network of Paediatric Clinics” demonstrate how digitalisation enables innovative solutions in the mobility and health sectors.
The University of Passau fosters a digital start-up culture. The Digitalisation Start-up Hub lends support to students and graduates as they develop their business ideas and test their initial prototypes. Moreover, the University offers certificate programmes such as the “Honours Degree” in Entrepreneurship and the Entrepreneurial Pathfinder to optimally prepare prospective founders for the challenges they are likely to face. The University is actively promoting digitalisation in all its facets – be it in research, teaching or start-up support. As a leader in digital transformation, the University is an important driving force for the region and beyond.
