DIKU

DIKU is the Department of Computer Science at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, commonly referred to by its historical acronym DIKU. It is a core unit within the university's science faculty and serves as a center for research, teaching, and doctoral training in computer science.

The department has its roots in the development of computer science as an academic discipline in Denmark during the late 20th century. Over the years it expanded its research and educational programs to cover a broad range of computer science topics, offering undergraduate, master’s, and PhD degrees. DIKU collaborates with industry, national research centers, and international partners, contributing to both fundamental and applied computer science.

Research and activities at DIKU span multiple areas, including algorithms and data structures, programming languages and software engineering, systems and networking, artificial intelligence and machine learning, databases, computer graphics, and human–computer interaction. The department emphasizes foundational theory alongside practical applications, and it hosts numerous research groups, labs, and graduate programs.

A notable historical contribution associated with DIKU is the development of DikuMUD in the 1990s, a text-based multiplayer online game engine created by students and staff that influenced many later MUDs and inspired broader interest in online gaming communities. DIKU’s legacy includes influential research outputs, graduated computer scientists, and ongoing participation in Denmark’s growth of higher education in computing.

Location and structure: DIKU is based in Copenhagen and forms part of the University of Copenhagen, contributing to national and international computer science education and research through teaching, publications, and collaboration.