Making universities fit for the future

Karlsruhe, 16.04.2025. From hybrid formats to enriched face-to-face teaching: the Digitalization 360° monitor of the Hochschulforum Digitalisierung for the winter semester 23/24 showed that face-to-face teaching is still predominant, but that digital technologies are being used extensively in enriched face-to-face teaching. According to the report, almost all universities have a digitalization strategy for studying and teaching. From the students' point of view, there is still room for improvement in the areas of AI and digital literacy, according to the monitor. At LEARNTEC, the central trade fair and convention for digital education in schools, universities and the workplace, from 6 to 8 May 2025 in Karlsruhe, universities from all over Germany will be presenting their best practices in the field of digitalization. Exhibitors from all over the world will be inviting trade visitors to find out about the relevant solutions and tools at their stands.

Artificial intelligence as a driver of digitalization

Prof. Dr. Peter A. Henning, member of the LEARNTEC Congress Committee and responsible for higher education: “After many universities took major steps towards more technology-supported teaching during the pandemic, the topic fell somewhat out of focus afterwards. However, advances in artificial intelligence have given it a real boost again. At LEARNTEC this year, we are presenting a large number of projects and initiatives that deal with AI in university teaching.”

At the university@LEARNTEC forum on 7 May on the Focus Stage (Hall 1), 17 lectures and panels with more than 30 experts will shed light on the digitalization of university teaching from various perspectives - from studies and research work to the practical use of modern technologies. Artificial intelligence is the dominant topic and is also the focus of the presentation by Prof. Dr. Sandra Niedermeier from the University of Applied Sciences Kempten. Under the title “AI meets vhb in the ‘New Work’ course - preparing students for the working world of tomorrow and conducting AI-based employee appraisals”, Niedermeier will present how students can use AI avatars to learn realistic skills for their future careers (11 a.m.). Jana Knecht, Elisabeth Lampart and Maximilian Spehn will explain how the use of AI can be legally compliant in their presentation “bwDigiRecht - Rechtliche Rahmenbedingungen für KI in der Hochschullehre” on the current legal framework for the use of AI at universities and the European AI Regulation (2 p.m.).

Marina Friedrich-Schieback from the University of Mannheim will report on “GeR gamified: Development of a learning game for a cross-course foundation course” (10.30 a.m.). As part of the InnoMA project, a digital learning game was developed at the University of Mannheim for a course in accounting, which is already being used successfully in teaching.

Modern technologies are also enabling new forms of research work in the field of science and technology. Prof. Dr. Regina Reul from the Wilhelm Büchner University of Applied Sciences in the Department of Energy, Environmental and Process Engineering will provide information on “Virtual laboratories in technical degree courses: Opportunities and Challenges” (4 p.m.).

International IT expertise for universities

eXaminer, a startup from Switzerland, will also be addressing the topic of AI (Hall2, J47). The company will be presenting its digital examination software of the same name. The platform enables formative and summative tests that can be automatically corrected and assessed with the help of AI.

At stand I28 in hall 2, VIL combines AI with virtual reality: with the appropriate hardware and software equipment, universities can enrich their teaching with immersive learning experiences, from technical virtual courses and scientific VR worlds to philosophy.

The Italian company EasyStaff is on board at LEARNTEC for the first time and will be tackling the mammoth task of university management at stand N26 in hall 2. Its software suite supports universities in the administration, planning and optimization of teaching activities.

Stefanie Ruf, Senior Project Manager and Product Owner of LEARNTEC, says: “The higher education landscape is developing rapidly, with traditional universities standing alongside distance learning universities and virtual universities. Together, they are all advancing the digitalization of the world of higher education - and LEARNTEC is their platform for exchanging opportunities and experiences and learning from each other. We are delighted to have strong partners at our side with the Baden-Württemberg Digitalization University Network and the Virtual University of Bavaria, whose programme also reflects the latest developments in digital higher education.”

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About LEARNTEC

LEARNTEC is Europe's largest event for digital education. Decision-makers from industry, consultancies, retail and sales as well as schools and universities come to Karlsruhe every year to find out about and exchange information on the potential of digital learning. The LEARNTEC convention provides practical knowledge over three days. Open-space sessions and panels encourage dialogue between speakers and participants.

Further information is available online at www.learntec.en.