11-18-2025

Going digital with Erasmus+: KU has pioneering role nationwide

Every year, more than one million people across Europe take part in the Erasmus+ program. This makes it the world's largest exchange program in the educational sector. The scale illustrates the potential of digitalization: In order to work more sustainably and effectively in the future, the European Union has launched a comprehensive digitalization program for Erasmus+. As far as the implementation of the project is concerned, the KU has now been recognized as a pioneer among all German universities.

ESCI stands for European Student Card Initiative – an initiative consisting of a total of three areas. Erasmus without paper (EWP) is the project that aims to advance the digitalization of the Erasmus+ program. Since 2021, the Erasmus+ contracts between universities have been digitalized as part of this program. Since 2023, it has continued with the digitalization of learning agreements (study agreements), and in 2026 the transfer of student data for Erasmus+ exchanges between universities in Europe will also be digital. With more than 3,000 connected and participating universities in over 30 countries already exchanging contracts, learning agreements and student data digitally, this is one of the largest digitalization projects in the EU and in higher education.

The Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt may now – initially until 2027 – bear the title "ESCI Champion" for the implementation of the Erasmus+ digitalization project EWP. The award underlines the KU's pioneering role among universities in Germany when it comes to digitalization. This success was made possible by the intensive cooperation between the KU's Study Organization, Computer Center and International Office. Only one ESCI champion per country was selected by the EU Commission. The selected universities promote the ESCI project and EWP in their countries and at the same time serve as best-practice role models. At the same time, the KU is the point of contact for the EU Commission and mediates between universities and the Commission in the implementation of the ESCI project.

The basis for the ESCI Champion award was the evaluation of the Erasmus+ digitalization indicators by the Commission in order to compare the EWP integration and thus the level of digitalization. The KU not only achieved excellent results, but is also the first university with a digital credit transfer database, which was connected to the course catalog, campus and mobility management system via interfaces. KU students thus have access to the most digitalized Learning Agreement and recognition procedures in Germany.

Other areas of the European Student Card Initiative are the planned introduction of a European Student Card (ESC) and the introduction of an Erasmus+ app. All students across Europe will gradually receive a European Student Card. This is not intended as an additional ID card or to replace the existing student ID cards, but as a logo and QR code to be added to student ID cards already in use. In the medium term, this should enable all students at European universities to identify themselves as students throughout Europe, for example in order to take advantage of discounts.

Sustainable KU

The KU has set itself the goal of integrating, living and continuously developing sustainability as an integral part of all areas of university life, teaching and research. In this context, the KU has a vision for a sustainable future: Ecological and social responsibility should go hand in hand for developing sustainable solutions that have a local and global impact. As a committed university, the KU therefore works closely with a wide range of partners in all areas of society and the economy. In its role as a pioneer, it also wants to be a role model and initiator for the successful implementation of the sustainability goals.