Last physical student files shredded

With a whirring noise, an era came to an end at the University of Bayreuth: the last physical student file was shredded. What sounds like an unspectacular event marks a milestone in the digital transformation of university administration. For decades, the corridors of the student office were lined with filing cabinets filled with handwritten forms, enrolment certificates and examination records. Now this chapter has come to a close.

The path to complete digitisation was not a sprint, but a marathon. The student office began the transition to digital processes several years ago. A total of over 16,000 files were digitised. Step by step, paper files were scanned, digital workflows established and employees trained. The introduction of a document management system and numerous online applications has played a decisive role in enabling students to take care of their affairs online today – from enrolment to de-registration. Documents that are still submitted in paper form are immediately transferred to the digital file. By the coming summer semester, master's enrolment will also be completely digital.

The destruction of the last paper file represents efficiency, sustainability and future viability. Provost Nicole Kaiser says: ‘We have achieved a milestone in digitisation. The fully digital files enable higher service quality, more efficient processes, faster processing times and also save space, time and, in some cases, nerves.’