To kick off the event, Advisory Board member Dr. Robert Rae of PerFact Innovation GmbH & Co. KG and Prof. Dr. Lukasz Wisniewski welcomed the guests and emphasized the central role of close collaboration between academia and industry.

The highlight of the event was the keynote address by Dr. Jan Regtmeier. Under the title “The Elephant in the Room: Why Open Source Is the Actual Operating System of the Internet and Modern Industry,” he demonstrated how open-source solutions are already being used as a matter of course in companies today and the significance they hold for innovation, flexibility, and competitiveness.

“Open source is no longer a niche topic, but forms the foundation of many digital applications and industrial processes,” Regtmeier made clear.

In the discussion that followed, participants explored how well-positioned companies are for the future in a world increasingly shaped by open source. Over breakfast, a lively dialogue developed among equals, offering space for new perspectives and facilitating the establishment of valuable contacts.

The event was rounded off with a tour of the BildungsCampus Herford, during which guests gained insights into modern learning and working environments.

Following this successful launch, the DiMS team plans to continue the format regularly in the future with varying main focus areas. The goal is to further strengthen the transfer of knowledge between the university and the professional world and to promote sustained exchange.