Global South Initiative: TUM welcomes first student group focusing on sustainability and entrepreneurship
Global South, TUM Global, News |
As part of its Global South Initiative, TUM is expanding its collaborations with universities and strengthening its partnerships with established institutions such as Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana, the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in India, and the Bandung Institute of Technology in Indonesia. Additionally, TUM has established new partnerships with universities in Ethiopia, Kenya, Namibia, Peru, and Uganda.
The TUM SEED Center combines sustainable engineering with entrepreneurial thinking, focusing on topics such as renewable energy and economically viable, socially just solutions. "Academic exchange is a key component of the second project phase of the TUM SEED Center. This exchange not only generates new ideas for sustainable solutions but also fosters long-term collaborations and inspiring connections," explains Saltanat Kuntuarova, project coordinator of the TUM SEED Center.
Through the new scholarships, exchange students from partner universities such as KNUST, Namibia University of Science and Technology, Makerere University in Uganda, and Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú were able to study at TUM during the current winter semester. They participated in the orientation weeks for exchange students, taking the opportunity to familiarize themselves with German culture and TUM's academic system.
Insights into research and practice
A special highlight of the program was the visit to a CoSES laboratory at the TUM School of Engineering and Design on the Garching campus. There, a doctoral researcher presented a project on sustainability in the residential energy sector. Participants gained valuable insights into ongoing research and discussed different approaches from their home countries.
Networking and collaboration
The scholarship recipients met with TUM students in Garching who had previously worked on TUM SEED projects in partner countries. They shared their experiences and provided the international guests with valuable insights into their projects. TUM students preparing to study at partner universities in the Global South next year also took the opportunity to network. They exchanged ideas with their international peers and developed initial concepts for joint projects addressing economic, social, and environmental challenges.
Joint further development: More student exchange and the 2025 TUM SEED Annual Symposium in Munich
These interactions strengthen international collaborations and promote research on global challenges. The TUM Global & Alumni Office greatly values its partnership with the TUM SEED Center and looks forward to future joint projects aimed at supporting international student exchange and advancing global development.
A key event for planning further joint activities is the annual symposium of the TUM SEED network. While the 2024 symposium was hosted by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya, this year's event will take place in Munich from August 25 to 29. The TUM SEED Center and the TUM Global & Alumni Office will keep interested parties updated.
Further information and links
Scholarships through TUM Without Borders