Revolution on campus: New apps make studying in Saarland easier!

Revolution on campus: New apps make studying in Saarland easier!

Saarland University (UdS) recently introduced two new apps that aim to significantly improve student life at the university. The first app, the “UdS app”, offers comprehensive information and services related to studying, while the second app is specifically aimed at university sports.

The new USS app was developed by the Digitalization Office and is now available free of charge Google Play Store and Apple App Store available. It is designed to facilitate access to the university's digital services. With the help of the personal UdS ID or in guest mode without registration, users can easily access a variety of functions.

Features of the USS app

• Individuell abonnierbare News und Veranstaltungshinweise
• Tagesaktueller Mensaplan mit Inhaltsstoffen und Preisen
• Informationen über das individuelle Guthaben auf der Mensakarte
• Interaktive Campuskarte zur Auffindung von Gebäuden
• Störmeldungen zu nicht funktionsfähiger Infrastruktur
• Hilfebereich zu Studium und Lehre, einschließlich internationaler Austauschprogramme und Hochschulsport

In addition, students can access learning platforms such as Moodle, Outlook calendar and Teams video conferences via the app. A special highlight are the integrated chatbots, including a “Copilot” based on Microsoft’s ChatGPT and the “Hawki platform”. The app was certified by TÜV Saarland Solutions GmbH, which confirms the high level of compliance with data protection, IT security and user-friendliness.

But it's not just the UdS app that offers advantages to students. The new sports app, which was developed in collaboration with the company Aktivkonzepte AG from Sankt Ingbert, aims to integrate exercise into students' everyday lives. It is an innovative solution in the area of ​​university sports and takes into account both information about exercise offers and booking software for documenting the exercises performed.

Goals and features of the sports app

• Vorstellung aller Bewegungsangebote des Hochschulsportzentrums
• Integration von speziellen Programmen wie „Campus in Bewegung“ und „ShortBreak – SportBreak“
• Tägliche/wöchentliche Aktivierungs- und Bewegungsprogramme, wie „Challenge yourself“ und „Activate yourself“
• Push-Nachrichten zur Motivation und Rückmeldung der Leistungen

The sports app is aimed primarily at students and employees of the UdS as well as guests of university sports. The programs offered include step challenges and “movement action weeks” that were implemented during the corona pandemic.

These two apps are part of the UdS's overarching student health management. Universities around the world are increasingly integrating digital tools to support students across different stages of life. Such offers not only promote digitalization in higher education, but also the personal development of students.

Students use a variety of digital tools to organize their studies. The most common include programs such as Microsoft Office, Google Drive and Studo, which make everyday academic life easier. The UdS app and the sports app are tailor-made solutions that aim to optimize the integration of digital services and sports activities.

Saarland University's new app initiative is an important step towards meeting the needs of students and promoting the use of digital offerings. Further information about these apps is available on the UdS app website and the intranet page for students and employees of the university.