In 1825, the predecessor of the KIT started with three classes, a few teachers and lessons in the building next to the town church. The training was practical and focused on surveying, civil engineering and technical principles. The aim was to put technology and science at the service of society.
From technical education to cutting-edge research
Over the decades, the small school grew into a university, which merged with the Karlsruhe Research Center in 2009. Key scientific breakthroughs were achieved at KIT: Contributions to the periodic table, the detection of electromagnetic waves, the basics of liquid crystal technology and the first faculty of computer science in Germany. Researchers also received the first e-mail on German soil here. Today, KIT is dedicated to topics such as the energy transition, sustainable mobility, cyber security and the fundamentals of astrophysics.
Science and pioneering spirit
"Since 1825, KIT and its predecessor institutions have been places of the future," emphasizes President Jan S. Hesthaven. Innovative ideas are developed here that could shape the everyday life of tomorrow.
An anniversary volume with historical pictures and anecdotes will be published to mark the 200th anniversary. KIT is also offering an extensive program of events and an exhibition at the ZKM Karlsruhe. Today, around 10,000 employees and 22,800 students are working on solutions for energy, mobility and information - and are continuing KIT's tradition as a research university.