In May, TUM welcomed guests from 21 countries for a week of intensive exchange, inspiration, and networking. The Partner Days 2025 offered a diverse platform to share best practices, grow existing collaborations, and spark new joint projects.
How can global higher education partnerships be strengthened and sustained for the future? With this central question in mind, about 70 representatives from partner institutions across the globe came together at TUM from May 19 to 23, 2025.
In addition to representatives from the EuroTech and EuroTeQ alliances, delegations from TUM’s flagship partners — including the University of Queensland and Tsinghua University — as well as other strategic international partners attended the meeting in Munich.
Building bridges during times of change
Prof. Juliane Winkelmann, Senior Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni at TUM, warmly welcomed the guests at the festive opening and emphasized the importance of international networking, especially in challenging geopolitical times: “More than ever, we must connect as people with shared values to build bridges and foster mutual understanding.”
Numerous workshops were at the heart of the Partner Days program, giving participants valuable insight into the work and projects of international partner institutions. The agenda was complemented by excursions to other TUM campuses and a cultural program that facilitated informal exchange and new perspectives.
Partner Days 2025: Moments & memories
Tatjana Boos (left), Deputy Director of the TUM Global & Alumni Office, and Prof. Gerhard Müller (right), Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, jointly welcomed the participants of Partner Days 2025. Image: Oleg Fetisov / CTU
At the welcome dinner, Prof. Juliane Winkelmann gave a warm address to the international guests. Pictured on the left: Philip Miessner, Director of the TUM Global & Alumni Office. Image: Andreas Mayer / TUM
In addition to the workshops and info sessions, the Partner Days program also included a guided tour of Munich. Image: Andreas Mayer / TUM
At the networking reception, participants had the opportunity to connect with their students who are currently spending a semester abroad at TUM. Image: Thomas Bergmann / TUM
During their visit to the TUM Garching campus, guests had the chance to try out the famous parabolic slide in the Mathematics & Informatics building. Image: Helen Schoft / TUM
A glimpse into the best-practice workshop ‘Intercultural Competence for Engineers and Scientists.’ Image: Stefanie Lehmann / TUM
The Partner Days program also included a trip to the TUM campus in Heilbronn. Vice President Prof. Dr. Ali Sunyaev introduced guests to TUM Campus Heilbronn as a campus for the digital age. Image: Helen Schoft / TUM
A special birthday celebration: During the Partner Days in Heilbronn, Prof. Daniel Duah from KNUST was surprised with a cake by the TUM team and warmly celebrated by all the participants. Image: Stefanie Lehmann / TUM
And that’s a wrap: On the last day of Partner Days, participants gathered once more to reflect on their shared experiences and key takeaways. Image: Thomas Bergmann / TUM
Learning from and with each other
Many sessions focused on knowledge sharing and collegial dialogue. Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), for example, raised awareness during its session on the European Green Deal about the importance of adaptability and resilience in university networks. Delegates from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Ghana showcased a custom partnership database app — a practical tool for strategic partnership management that attracted great interest.
The Technion delegation discussed new approaches to internationalization. Emma Afterman, Director of the International Office, advocated for more “chutzpah” — more courage, passion, and determination. Randall Adams from Stellenbosch University in South Africa highlighted the personal connections formed: “The openness of the participants and the free exchange were impressive. I look forward to future collaborations.”
A workshop on double-degree programs, jointly prepared by a team from four different partner universities, was a vivid demonstration of collaborative work in action.
The diverse Partner Days program included workshops at the main TUM campus as well as visits to TUM locations in Garching and Heilbronn and a cultural program allowing for personal exchange.
Chunmei Huang, Director of the Research & Development Affairs Office at Tsinghua University in Beijing, reflected: “I learned a lot and built friendships with universities around the world. That will be very valuable for Tsinghua University.”
Prof. Marcelo Ornaghi Orlandi of Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) in Brazil added: “The Partner Days showed just how important it is to build international bridges. The visit to Heilbronn was a wonderful addition — I wish I’d had more time there for further exchange.”
Global networks as a shared responsibility
Gatherings like the Partner Days highlight the importance of face-to-face meetings for shaping vibrant, resilient, and future-oriented partnerships. They spark new ideas and create space for meaningful dialogue across institutions, continents, and cultures.
A heartfelt thank you to all contributors and participants. We look forward to continuing the conversation and seeing you again at the next Partner Days!
Strategic Networks
EuroTech Universities Alliance
EuroTeQ Engineering University
Flagship Partnerships
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
TUM Global Strategic Alliances
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology
Universidade Estadual Paulista