"Creating excellent conditions for research, teaching, and interdisciplinary exchange"
August 23, 2023
Thuringia's Minister of Science, Wolfgang Tiefensee, today presented a grant award of approximately €10.8 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and state funds to Professor Dr. Walter Rosenthal, President of Friedrich Schiller University Jena. The money will be used to equip two buildings on the new Inselplatz campus – the new university computing center and the future Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science – with equipment, technology, and furniture. The initial equipment for the new university computing center will primarily ensure the provision of all central IT services for the University of Jena.
A modern research campus for the University of Jena is currently under construction at Inselplatz in Jena, representing a total investment of more than €200 million. "The campus will contribute to the university further expanding its position as one of Germany's leading universities in the coming years," said Tiefensee. From 2025 onwards – after the completion of all construction work – students and university staff will find excellent conditions for research, teaching, and interdisciplinary exchange here. "This includes optimal working conditions, modern interior design, and state-of-the-art technical equipment," the minister added. The funding presented today will be used for this purpose.
University President Prof. Dr. Walter Rosenthal thanked “all the people and ministries who made this possible – and especially the European Union for the €6.5 million in funding for the initial equipment. The accommodation of our current data center is no longer up to date, therefore the move to Inselplatz will be a milestone in the history of Friedrich Schiller University. The new campus will not only enable high-performance computing, but will also offer comprehensive Wi-Fi coverage in the outdoor areas. With the new campus, the university's excellence is also reflected in its construction and infrastructure.”
The university computing center and the new Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science are scheduled for completion by the end of 2024. Procurement of the necessary initial equipment for these two buildings will therefore begin this year. This includes security components (firewall) and a laboratory and testing environment for the existing university computing center, which are required for the move to the new location. By mid-2026, the Institute of Psychology, the "Natural Sciences and Preclinical Studies" branch of the Thuringian University and State Library, and a cafeteria will also be located at Inselplatz.