University IT and Data Center

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.