In June 2024, TUM and The University of Queensland expanded their 2021 established flagship partnership during the visit of a UQ delegation to Munich. Image: Uli Benz / TUM
UQ President Prof. Deborah Terry and TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann signed several agreements – primarily regarding student exchanges. Image: Uli Benz / TUM
Scientists from UQ, TUM, and UNESP, among others, met with government officials for the Bioeconomy Symposium in Brisbane. Photo: UQ
Selina Fyfe and Philippe Schmitt-Kopplin are conducting research on Buchanania obovata, an indigenous Australian fruit. They are supported by Kevin Wanambi from the Gulkula Mining Company. Photo: Margaret Puls / UQ
UQ, TUM, and UNESP scientists socializing after the Bioeconomy Symposium in Weihenstephan. Photo: Uli Benz / TUM
UQ student Hayden Wen during his stay at TUM for the UQ-TUM Double Degree Program in Electrical Engineering. Photo: Hayden Wen
As part of the UQ-TUM Energy Workshop, funded by the TUM Global Incentive Fund, researchers from TUM, the University of Queensland, and WU Vienna exchanged ideas on pathways toward a low-carbon energy future and its societal dimensions. Image: Global Partnerships and Strategic Partnerships / UQ
The Technical University of Munich and the University of Queensland (UQ) have a close strategic partnership. Together, the two universities are advancing research on topics of high social relevance, with a focus on sustainability and bioeconomy, digital agricultural and food sciences, hydrogen technology, green energy production, and precision medicine.
Since 2010, TUM has enjoyed a very special relationship with the University of Queensland (UQ), one of Australia’s top-ranked universities. Despite the geographical distance, the TUM-UQ bond has developed within just a few years into a multifaceted partnership spanning numerous disciplines and characterized by a wide range of activities. In addition to numerous successful joint research projects and symposia, various mobility programs for students, doctoral candidates, and administrative staff have also helped to advance exchange and cooperation at all levels.
In June 2024, a UQ delegation led by President Prof. Deborah Terry visited TUM, further strengthening the flagship partnership established in 2021. The visit resulted in the identification of new research areas and the signing of several agreements, particularly in the field of student exchange.
TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann emphasized: “Our flagship partnership with the University of Queensland is a great example of a truly comprehensive partnership. It goes beyond joint research in future fields and includes unique study opportunities, accelerated knowledge transfer, and the exchange of best practices as part of both universities' internationalization strategies.”
The strength of the relationship between TUM and UQ is reflected in the appointment of Professor Gary Schenk from the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences as a TUM Ambassador. Professor Schenk has been working with TUM colleagues for many years, focusing on groundbreaking projects in the fields of bioeconomy and biotechnology.
One of Professor Schenk’s strongest relationships is with TUM Professor Volker Sieber. They were instrumental in setting up the Global Bioeconomy Alliance, and have also worked on other projects such as optimising enzymes to efficiently convert sugar into biofuel.
In June 2018, the Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the Global Bioeconomy Alliance (GBA) was signed at a Bioeconomy Symposium. Prof. Juliane Winkelmann, TUM Executive Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni, Prof. Volker Sieber, Rector of TUM Campus Straubing, Prof. Paul Young, Head of the UQ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, and Prof. Carlos Vergani, Head of the Rectorate of Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP, Brazil), represented the three founding universities at the signing ceremony.
The GBA aims to discuss key topics in the bio-based industry at a global level in research and teaching and to develop and implement joint initiatives to promote the bioeconomy. Since its foundation, symposia and workshops have been held regularly for this purpose.
In addition to the three founding members TUM, UQ, and UNESP, the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and the Tecnológico de Monterrey have also joined the alliance.
Further information on the GBA, the GBA Award, and the annual GBA conference can be found on the GBA website.
Since the signing of the TUM-UQ flagship partnership by TUM President Professor Thomas F. Hofmann and UQ Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Deborah Terry in April 2021, the TUM-UQ cooperation has been steadily deepening. The partnership focuses on topics such as bioeconomy and sustainability, digital agriculture and food sciences, hydrogen and green energy, and medicine.
Both partners attach great importance to interdisciplinarity and the sustainable expansion of other future-oriented topics. Overarching institutional topics such as career development and entrepreneurship also play an important role in the cooperation.
Funding initiatives for researchers
To support new projects with the University of Queensland, TUM researchers can apply for funding from the TUM Global Incentive Fund. Within the framework of the TUM Global Visiting Professor Program, it is also possible to invite scientists from UQ to TUM for joint research.
UQ also offers the dedicated funding lines UQ-TUM Workshop Grant Scheme and UQ-TUM Travel Grant Scheme to support and further broaden the academic collaboration between both universities.
Exchange programs for administrative staff
TUM administrative staff can visit UQ through the Maximilian Graf Montgelas Program and support the internationalization of TUM. Through the TUM Invited Experts in Administration funding line, experts from UQ can be invited to TUM.
UQ also offers the dedicated funding line UQ-TUM Staff Fellowship Program, for UQ administrative staff to visit TUM and share best practices and experiences.
Discover UQ through your studies
Via the TUMexchange program, TUM students can study at UQ and UQ students can study at TUM. Master students in Informatics and in Electrical & Computer Engineering at TUM can apply for a TUM-UQ double degree program within their field, gaining in-depth academic experience at UQ while immersing themselves in the local culture.
Support and mobility for doctoral researchers
Doctoral candidates can receive support for a research stay at UQ through the TUM Graduate School Partnership Mobility Grant. In addition, the TUM-UQ Joint Supervision Program offers the opportunity for an extended research stay with their partner supervisor, fostering deeper collaboration and academic exchange.