Scientific data is essential for the advancement of research. For this reason, both the DFG and the FDM have developed an initiative to rescue research data. The aim is to protect data from manipulation and deletion. Researchers from all disciplines are encouraged to act as data patrons and report datasets at risk. By expanding the data backup system through the DataPublication.nrw project, research data management in NRW will be even more efficient in the future and will provide a solid infrastructure to counteract global political decisions on how to handle research data. Here you can find more information regarding the process and the funding initiative.

With the new service KIWIS the University of Bonn provides its members with a simple access to different generative language models that can be used for studying, teaching, research and administration. Within the framework of the DiCe project KIWIS the initialisation, design and further development of the service are conform with data security and legal regulations.   Use KIWIS KIWIS offers access to various, generative AI language models and helps users with notes and tips to effectively use the service. For example, users can create several chats as well as share them, sort them by theme and assign names.  Classes  In order to ensure that the legal framework is is complied with during the use, the University of Bonn offers free classes for employees. The "AI Act Fit" programmes help to gain fundamental competences and they are in line with the requirements of the EU-AI regulation.  Beside the mandatory classes the programme offers different classes for user groups of all competence levels. A majority of the classes are free for employees and are offered in German and English. 

Until now, an extensive research data repository has been a missing link in the digital ecosystem of NRW. With the new service DataPublication.nrw, that is being developed and established by the department of research data management at the Uni Bonn, research data can be publicated and found easily.  "Researching and working with research data is first and foremost done by the researcher themself. A repository opens an additional window for the scientific community and secondary research", explains Dr Sergej Zerr, part of the development team "Research Data Infrastructure" at the HRZ.*  A crucial factor regarding the grant of the ministry and the connected funding of 1.1 Mio. Euros, was the expertise regarding the in-house research data repository bonndata, developed by the department of research data management of the HRZ and the ULB. Thereby, in cooperation with the RWTH Aachen a state-wide concept was developed, for which 12 other colleges and universities have already expressed support before the start of the funding.  A particularly important aspect is the accurate description of data using metadata, according to Dr Zerr. Only by doing this, new data can be found and be re-introduced research data cycle. The strength of DataPublication.nrw, as presented by the HRZ, is the focus on advising and empowering the researchers to self-administrate. A detailled onboarding, controlling the data, as well as a flexibility in the interface allows for conditions that make the repository useful beyoond the borders of individual universities.  We congratulate the RWTH Aachen and the members of the Bonn Team, who help NRW make progress in data and software publishing.  Connecting data management and data publishing allows the project to use existing infrastructure and to begin implementation as early as January 2026. In cause of this, it is expected that the working service can start the operative service and the onboarding of universities around six months later. Funding for the project has initially been approved for four years and, in addition to system development and commissioning, also includes process optimisation and an external evaluation. * the interview was conducted in German.

For almost two years, the HRZ has been supporting the pilot project to set up a dedicated IT service at the Faculty of Protestant Theology (ETF). The project can now be considered a complete success. After a short familiarisation phase, the new service has established itself as a permanent and reliable support in everyday work. The service is actively and readily used both on site and via the ticket system. Faculty staff particularly appreciate the fast response times and personal contact that characterise their collaboration with the IT team. The project has also attracted attention beyond the faculty: several other departments are observing the ETF's IT service model with great interest and are considering similar cooperation with the HRZ. The project at the ETF thus serves as a model within the university.  

On October 6, our former apprentice, Daniel Jonas, was honored by the Bonn/Rhein-Sieg Chamber of Commerce and Industry as the chamber's best apprentice IT specialist in system integration. He passed his final exam in July with a the highest grade, making him one of the two best in his profession for the 2025 exam year. The University IT and Data Center was also honored for its training achievements. The ceremonial presentation of the certificates by IHK President Stefan Hagen and IHK Head of Apprenticeship Training Sven Schnieber was accompanied by a dinner and an acrobatic performance at the GOP Varieté Theater in Bonn. Congratulations Daniel on this outstanding achievement! Daniel continues to work at the University IT and Data Center and is now part of our email team.

We welcome all new students at the University of Bonn! As the University IT and Data Center (HRZ) of the university, we manage the central IT services, which you can access through your studies.  To make sure that the first weeks run smoothly, we have created a checklist of the most important services that will help you to find your way around Uni Bonn: Activate your Uni-ID on gosa.gosa.uni-bonn.de, to use all digital services of the university: Your Uni-ID is your unique user name and among others it offers you access to the semester ticket and your lecture and exam registrations. Download the Uni-Bonn app, to always have your student ID, the semester ticket, the library card and the cantine menus on hand. Set up your email account to conveniently receive your mails on your smartphone and laptop. Configure Eduroam and VPN to access wifi across the campus and to read all academic journals. Create a Sciebo account at hochschulcloud.nrw to be able to manage your data in the university cloud. Besides all of these essential services, we offer other services that might be helpful to your studies.

The eCampus team is offering a wide range of webinars to support teachers and students with digital teaching in the 2025/26 winter term. You can review the training program in Confluence (accessible only via BONNET/VPN). The registration process can be done directly via eCampus.   »  See the training program on eCampus (for teachers and staff) » See the training program in the eCampus Confluence Space (for teachers and staff)     Program for studentsThere will also be eCampus introductions for new students: » See the training offer on eCampus (for students)  

Each semester IT classes are offered in the HRZ course room.  The teachers of the HRZ are looking forward to your registration for the following classes via eCampus in the winter semester 2025/ 2026: Attention: All classes are held in German, the HPC classes are held in English! Registration starting 01. September 2025: Key Competences for Historians Registration starting 15 October 2025: MS Excel I - Basic Knowledge Editing pictures using GIMP Registration starting 01. December 2025: MS Excel II - Advanced Basics of 3D printing techniques HPC