HIT@UHB - University IT for Bremen

Contents and objectives

What is it about?

With the HIT project – University IT for Bremen – the state universities in the state of Bremen want to find out how they can pool their IT resources, processes, and structures in a targeted manner. The idea is to share resources, think about needs together, and design digital infrastructures that are sustainable in the long term.

To this end, HIT is testing step by step how cross-university IT services can be set up and operated – in a practical, coordinated manner that is open to differences between the universities.

The first topic to be addressed is license management, an area of high complexity and urgent action.

Why is this important?

Digital infrastructure is the foundation for studying, teaching, research, and administration. At the same time, requirements and complexity are growing, while budgets and personnel are often scarce.

The universities in Bremen therefore want to work together to develop solutions that would be difficult for them to achieve on their own – and learn from each other at the same time. This is exactly where HIT comes in: as a structured, cooperative path to shared services, strategic coordination, and sustainable IT governance.

What exactly will happen?

First, using the example of license management, a functional, legally compliant, and efficiently operable system will be designed and tested jointly.

The next step will be to examine whether and how basic IT services (such as infrastructure or data center services) can be operated jointly.

In the long term, further areas of cooperation will be identified and analyzed for their feasibility.

Project objectives

    Efficient pooling of IT resources
    to strengthen digital infrastructures and skills at all participating universities
    High-standard shared services
    for studying and teaching, research and administration – economical, secure, and sustainable
    Cooperative IT strategies for the future
    instead of individual isolated solutions – with clear roles, responsibilities, and decision-making paths

Who is involved?

The project is led by the University of Bremen and carried out in collaboration with the following partner universities in the state of Bremen:

    Bremen University of Applied Sciences (HSB)
    Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences (HS BHV)
    Bremen University of the Arts (HfK)

Current status

Project duration: July 1, 2024 - December 31, 2026
    Initial preliminary discussions within the consortium have taken place.
    A requirements analysis for license management at the University of Bremen has been completed.
    A pilot project for technical implementation was launched in Q1 2025.
    At the same time, cooperation models and IT governance structures are being prepared.

Outlook

Whether a solution is transferred to other universities depends on its practical suitability. HIT is deliberately designed to be open – with room for testing, learning, and adaptation. What proves itself can be adopted. What does not fit remains local.

The goal is to develop a robust model for shared IT services by the end of 2026 – one that is sustainable, legally compliant, and efficient.