In 2018, world record for "optical data transmission at 128 gigabits per second" was achieved at the Heinz Nixdorf Institute of the University of Paderborn.

Some academic activities of the computer science and Systems engineering departments are held at the Fürstenallee campus.

The Fürstenallee campus houses the research centers such as Heinz Nixdorf Institute, Cooperative Computing and Communication Laboratory (C-Lab) and Software quality lab (S-lab).

In 2006, the computer science program was ranked among the top 3 programs in the most comprehensive and detailed ranking of German universities by the Centre for Higher Education Development (CHE)[4] and the German weekly news magazine "Die Zeit".

Its purpose is the examination of the use of linear engines for the propulsion of autonomous, rail mounted vehicles.