Kategorie: ‘Fun & Facts’
KI:connect.nrw: 2025 in Review
Source: Own Illustration
We have reported on KI:connect.nrw several times on this blog, most recently in October when it reached a milestone of over 350,000 potential users at universities in North Rhine-Westphalia. Now we look back on the year 2025, in which KI:connect.nrw has developed from a pilot project into a statewide AI infrastructure that covers almost the entire university landscape in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The IT Center Year in Review 2025
Source: Freepik
2025 was a year full of change for the IT Center, both technically and organizationally, as well as on a human level. While new services were launched, major infrastructure projects were implemented, and digital work processes continued to converge, there were also many moments that enriched our everyday work. Whether new AI initiatives, important security measures, service updates, or team events: the year was marked by change.
In our annual review, we summarize the developments that had a particular impact and the highlights that accompanied us in 2025.
The IT Center Christmas Party 2025
Source: Own Illustration
On December 12, 2025, it was that time of year again: the IT Center’s annual Christmas party brought colleagues, former employees, and family members together to end the year in a festive atmosphere. With a wintery atmosphere, good food, and a varied program, the celebrations continued into the evening.
Review of SC25: HPC Highlights From St. Louis
Source: Own illustration
The Supercomputing Conference 2025 (SC25), one of the world’s most important conferences in the field of high-performance computing, took place this year in St. Louis, Missouri (USA). Under the motto “HPC ignites,” around 15,000 participants gathered to discuss current research results, technological developments, and future trends in supercomputing. The IT Center was represented by three participants, who took the opportunity to exchange ideas with international experts and gain valuable insights from the vibrant HPC community.
A Different Kind of Advent Calendar
Source: Own illustration
It’s getting dark earlier, temperatures are falling, Christmas markets are opening: we’re slowly getting into the Christmas spirit. Between baking cookies and buying presents, Advent calendars sweeten the days leading up to the holiday.
Why not learn something instead of (or in addition to) chocolate this time?
Learning with AI – How effective is it really?
Source: Freepik
AI systems are revolutionizing the way we absorb information and process knowledge. Examples include voice assistants such as Siri and Alexa, learning platforms such as Duolingo, a wide range of commercial AI chatbots, and, in a university context, RWTHgpt and Ritchy at RWTH Aachen University. These technologies use machine learning to provide personalized learning experiences tailored to the needs of individual users.
But the key question is: How can AI be used in a way that truly improves learning and is not counterproductive?
AI Governance & Ethics – A Responsible Future
Source: Freepik
AI-supported applications are changing the way we work, learn, and conduct research. Whether it’s text generation, data summarization or automated data analysis, AI-supported applications can simplify many work processes and open up new opportunities. This also applies to research, teaching, and administration.
SocialHub PopUp Event in Munich
Source: Own Illustration
To manage social media channels efficiently, the IT Center’s marketing team relies on the SocialHub management tool. This allows us to maintain an overview and optimize our online presence. Twice a year, SocialHub invites its customers to its pop-up event.
Not only are new features for the social media management tool presented here, but exciting insights into other companies are also given and interesting guest lectures are held.
IT Center Oktoberfest 2025
Source: Own illustration
On September 26, 2025, it was once again time to say “O’zapft is!” – the IT Center invited guests to its traditional Oktoberfest. Daniel Bündgens, Chief Executive Director of the IT Center, opened the festivities with a warm welcome and got the numerous guests in the mood for a lively evening full of Bavarian atmosphere.
fIT Courses: IT Knowledge Made Easy
Source: Own illustration
Whether you’ve just started your first semester or are already in the middle of your studies, IT skills are a real advantage in any subject area. This is exactly where the fIT courses at RWTH come in: they offer you the opportunity to learn how to use important programs or refresh your existing knowledge. Whether Excel, MATLAB, or Python – the free training courses will get you ready for your studies, research, and beyond.
