University benefactor Plattner funds campus development - Initiative group begins operations - Task Force Established by the Commission for Assistance and Support
In a groundbreaking announcement made in June 2025, software billionaire Hasso Plattner unveiled plans for a comprehensive development project aimed at modernizing and expanding the University of Potsdam's campus over the next ten years. The initiative, named the Hasso Plattner-funded University City Potsdam project, promises to elevate Potsdam as a leading centre for science, research, and digital education in Germany and Europe.
### Key Details and Timeline
The project, which focuses on the historic Brauhausberg hill—the former site of the state parliament building—will create exceptional study and research conditions, significantly enhancing the university's infrastructure over the coming decade[1]. Simultaneously, the Hasso Plattner Institute (HPI) at Griebnitzsee will continue its expansion as a leading international computer science institute, with a focus on artificial intelligence research[1][3].
The foundation for this collaborative development was laid in 2025 with a letter of intent signed between the State of Brandenburg, the University of Potsdam, and the Hasso Plattner Foundation[1].
### Modernization and Expansion
The Brauhausberg site will see the construction of a new campus with modern infrastructure, designed to foster cutting-edge study and research environments[1]. The Griebnitzsee campus, home to the HPI, is already a digital innovation hotspot, hosting the Digital Engineering Faculty, a Digital Health Centre, and benefiting from proximity to media innovation facilities[5].
The expansion plans encompass not only physical infrastructure but also academic advancements, such as new degree programs and international research partnerships focused on artificial intelligence[1][3].
### Broader Context in Potsdam
Potsdam is rapidly emerging as a hub for high-tech, innovation, and digital education, with multiple campuses including Griebnitzsee, Jungfernsee (home to the SAP Innovation Centre and THINK CAMPUS), and Bornstedter Feld (home to the Potsdam University of Applied Sciences)[5]. The University City Potsdam project represents a major strategic partnership between the State of Brandenburg, the University of Potsdam, and the Hasso Plattner Foundation, with the shared goal of positioning Potsdam as a leading centre for digital education and research in Europe[4].
In summary, the Hasso Plattner-funded University City Potsdam project is a decade-long initiative focused on building a modernized university campus on Brauhausberg, expanding the HPI's Griebnitzsee location, and strengthening Potsdam's role as a digital innovation hub through academic and research excellence in computer science and related fields[1][3][5].
In the ambit of this project, the Hasso Plattner Foundation has pledged to establish community and employment policies that foster innovation and excellence within the University City Potsdam, ensuring it serves as a leading center for both academic and professional development in the realm of digital education and research [1][3][5]. Furthermore, to complement the physical expansion and modernization of the university, the initiative welcomes collaborations with educational institutions for self-development and knowledge-sharing programs, emphasizing the importance of lifelong learning in achieving digital prowess [1][5].
