Minister-President Dr. Dietmar Woidke: "The pace of technology development in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) is unrivaled. AI is changing the world of work, everyday life, and many other areas. With the stronger expansion of the HPI and the joint faculty with the University of Potsdam, Brandenburg aims to be at the forefront of future development. The new university campus on the Brauhausberg will set international standards for modern research and teaching. The University of Potsdam is moving to the heart of the city, to a place steeped in history. In this way, investments in science and urban redevelopment are uniquely intertwined – for the benefit of all. I would like to thank Hasso Plattner, founder and supporter, whose remarkable vision enabled this project. Congratulations to the University of Potsdam on this significant development. I would like to thank the Hasso Plattner Foundation, the President of the University of Potsdam, and the City of Potsdam for their constructive and trustful cooperation. Now it's time for implementation. I look forward to working together in the Task Force."
Prof. Hasso Plattner, Founder, Hasso Plattner Foundation: "With the new campus on Brauhausberg, the University of Potsdam is moving into the heart of the city – both spatially and symbolically. At the same time, we are significantly expanding the Hasso Plattner Institute at Griebnitzsee to enable internationally leading research and teaching with a focus on artificial intelligence. Together, we are sending a clear signal for education, openness, and sustainability. Europe needs places where talents from all over the world can think, research, and shape the future freely – Potsdam will be such a place."
Prof. Oliver Günther, President, University of Potsdam: "These important developments enable the University of Potsdam to shape the teaching and learning environments of the future across the entire university. New forms of academic life and learning will emerge on the Brauhausberg and at Griebnitzsee. The Digital Engineering Faculty, which is jointly supported by HPI and UP, will become a world-renowned hub for cutting-edge research in AI and computer science. At the same time, the long-planned construction projects at Neues Palais and in the Potsdam Science Park in Golm are gaining new momentum. In addition, we will be working together with the state government to accelerate appointments and reduce bureaucracy. We are deeply grateful to Hasso Plattner and his foundation for these contributions."
Robert Crumbach, Deputy Minister President and Finance Minister: ”This is an absolute win-win situation for everyone involved. The planned investment on the Brauhausberg on one hand, and the resulting possible further development of the site on Potsdam's Griebnitzsee on the other, further strengthen Potsdam’s role as a science center, and transform the city and the state of Brandenburg into one of the leading high-tech locations. A European Massachusetts Institute of Technology can emerge here. I anticipate that other information technology companies and start-ups will set up shop in this location."
Dr. Manja Schüle, Minister of Science: "Academic freedom is increasingly under pressure worldwide, while the need to achieve digital sovereignty has become an urgent necessity for Europe. Once again, Hasso Plattner proves that he can combine vision with decisive action by giving a clear answer to both challenges. With the Foundation’s decision to support this new development, HPI has the potential to become a leading center for digital innovation in Europe – closely linked to the University of Potsdam. The largest university in the state of Brandenburg has the unique opportunity to expand its future potential. This day is a milestone for science policy in Brandenburg and far beyond."
HPI is already an outstanding institute for digital education, research, and innovation. Together with UP, it will develop into a flagship institute in the international scientific landscape. To this end, the joint Digital Engineering Faculty will expand its master's programs, foster international partnerships, and focus its research efforts especially on artificial intelligence. HPI and UP’s close cooperation within the framework of the joint Digital Engineering Faculty will be strategically developed and deepened. As part of this agreement, the State of Brandenburg will provide targeted support for the UP locations at Golm and Neues Palais – with the aim of creating modern, state-of-the-art, and future-oriented study conditions throughout the city.
The Hasso Plattner Foundation will take over the areas and buildings previously used by the University of Potsdam at the Griebnitzsee campus. In return, it will provide replacement areas on the Brauhausberg. A new UP campus will be built there – including the renovation of listed historical buildings. Completion of both locations is planned by 2035 at the latest.
To this effect, the State of Brandenburg, the University of Potsdam, and the Hasso Plattner Foundation have signed a letter of intent. It includes the following agreements and their detailed design:
- The state’s support for HPI’s growth prospects at the Griebnitzsee campus, especially by enabling the highest degree of autonomy in academic matters for the institute and the joint Digital Engineering Faculty.
- HPF’s support for the development of the Griebnitzsee campus for HPI and the Brauhausberg campus for UP.
- HPF’s support in the planning and construction processes within the framework of a Task Force at management level.
- UP’s support in the already planned construction measures at the Golm and Neues Palais sites.
To coordinate this complex project, avoid delays, and ensure a smooth process among all stakeholders, a Task Force will monitor all measures on a regular basis. Any problem that arises is to be discussed and solved directly between all those involved at the executive level. The Task Force is jointly chaired by Minister President Dr. Dietmar Woidke and HPF Founder Hasso Plattner. Members of the Task Force also include ministerial level representatives of the State Chancellery, the Ministry of Science, Research and Culture, the Ministry of Finance and Europe, and the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government, as well as the President of the University of Potsdam and representatives from the City of Potsdam. Depending on the topics, subject-specific working groups can be formed under the Task Force, which are to meet regularly.
It is initially planned to set up two Working Groups: "Planning and Building" under the leadership of the Minister of the Interior and Municipal Affairs and "Teaching and Research Cooperation" under the leadership of the Minister of Science, Research and Culture. Representatives of the State Chancellery, HPF, MIK, MWFK and MdFE, UP, the Brandenburg State Office for Real Estate and Construction, HPI, and the City of Potsdam are to be involved in the "Planning and Building" Working Group. Representatives of the State Chancellery, HPF, MWFK as well as HPI and UP are to be involved in the Working Group "Teaching and Research Cooperation".