The project focused on the question of how digital tools and AI applications can provide meaningful support for day-to-day administrative work – without relieving people of their responsibilities. Mindshift@Verwaltung was developed and supported by a group of students from the interdisciplinary International Relations and Management (B.A.) programme at OTH Regensburg under the academic supervision of Prof. Dr Julia Hartmann. The project team included Johannes Pindl, Kim Oetjen, Ujjwal Jaiswal, Uchenna Herbert and Alessandro Hufmann. Harald Hillebrand and Markus Becker were involved on behalf of the Regensburg District Office.
The content of the work was based, among other things, on an anonymous employee survey conducted at the Regensburg District Office, in which employees from various departments took part. The results showed a high level of openness towards digital solutions and AI applications. At the same time, it became clear that questions relating to security, data protection and ethical aspects play a central role.
AI as a supporting tool
Prof. Julia Hartmann from the Faculty of Applied Natural and Cultural Sciences at OTH Regensburg emphasises the added value of the collaboration: "The project is a prime example of how administration and universities can benefit from each other. The results make it clear that successful digitalisation is less a technical issue than a cultural one. Transparency, qualification and trust are crucial – then AI can be used as a supporting tool."
District Administrator Tanja Schweiger also emphasises the importance of the project: "The district of Regensburg sees digitalisation as an opportunity to make our administration more efficient, citizen-oriented and future-proof. 'Mindshift@Verwaltung' shows that innovation and responsibility go hand in hand. We want to empower our employees and give them security – because good administration always remains human."
Practical insights with model character
Mindshift@Verwaltung took a holistic approach that combines organisational development, leadership culture and technology. The insights gained are now being incorporated into concrete recommendations for administrative practice, for example in the form of targeted training concepts, as Harald Hillebrand, Head of Digitalisation at the Regensburg District Office, explains.
The project underscores OTH Regensburg's commitment to addressing socially relevant issues together with partners in the field and giving students the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-world projects at an early stage.
