TUM horizons
Whether it's dealing calmly with change, successful communication, the intricacies of household, collective bargaining, and labor law, or digital working methods: we offer a wide range of training events for your personal and professional development!
Registration begins on September 16 at 9:00 a.m. Mark your calendars now!
Our open-course program is open to all TUM employees. It is tailored to the needs and requirements of our administrative and academic support staff.
Choose the courses and events that best support you in your day-to-day work!
Our Offer for You
Our topics
Working well and healthily
Self and time management, mental health, mindfulness and much more.
Current events: Register now!
Working Well and Staying Healthy
More than 40 percent of the German population experiences a mental health disorder requiring treatment at least once in their lifetime. Although many of those affected are in our immediate circle (e.g., coworkers), this topic still triggers uncertainty, prejudice, and fear in many people, which is why prevention and destigmatization are so important in this area. This is where the MHFA First Responder program comes in. The MHFA Mental Health First Aid course was developed based on the successful model for first aid in cases of physical illness and trains laypeople to become mental health first aiders in 12 hours.
This course is useful for:
- All TUM employees who wish to expand their knowledge of mental health.
- Anyone who would like to develop a better understanding of people affected by mental illness.
- Anyone who would like to offer help to those affected in their personal circle and wants to learn specific first-aid measures to do so.
- Anyone who wants to help destigmatize mental health issues.
What you’ll learn here:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to...
- describe common mental health disorders and their symptoms
- better assess whether someone in their circle is affected by a mental health issue
- apply specific strategies to reach out to those affected and offer them help
- identify resources where those affected can find professional help
Topics we cover:
- Signs, symptoms, and risk factors of mental health disorders
(Focus on depression, anxiety disorders, psychosis, substance misuse, and addiction)
- Mental Health First Aid:
Action plan for supporting people in crisis or experiencing the onset of a mental health problem - Practical implementation of the action plan through exercises
Event Dates
October 13, 2026 (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) October 20, 2026 (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) October 20, 2026 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) October 27, 2026 (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) October 27, 2026 (2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.) November 10, 2026 (9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.) |
The venue
Virtual
Course fee
60 €
The Speaker
Michael Wallach
This course is useful for:
- Employees who work with people from different cultural backgrounds in their day-to-day professional lives
- Managers, team leaders, employees in diverse teams, and anyone who would like to further develop their intercultural sensitivity and communication skills
What you’ll learn here:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to...
- become (more) aware of their own cultural influences and patterns of perception
- identify typical forms of unconscious bias and “microaggressions”
- view one another as allies in a discrimination-aware university culture
- foster respectful and appreciative interactions with one another
Topics we cover:
- Cultural diversity in everyday professional life (opportunities and challenges), recognizing unconscious thought patterns and assumptions
- Empathetic and appreciative communication in diverse teams
- Reflecting on personal experiences and intercultural encounters
- Concrete strategies for everyday work
Where to find further information
Kergel, D., El-Khatib, J. (2026): Transkulturalität, Migration und Diversität. Perspektiven auf Differenz, Macht und Zugehörigkeit (= essentials). Wiesbaden: Springer VS.
Event Date
November 12, 2026 (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
Event location
Virtual
Course fee
€20
The Speaker
Dr. Carolina Tobo Tobo
This course is useful for:
Employees who want to contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and high-performing work environment and who wish to reflect on and further develop their collaboration within diverse teams.
What you’ll learn:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to…
• recognize visible and invisible dimensions of diversity
• reflect on their own patterns of thinking and behavior
• identify the effects of unconscious biases, such as tokenism and confirmation bias
• understand the connections between diversity, inclusion, and teamwork
• actively foster inclusive collaboration and meetings
• weigh the opportunities and challenges of disclosing invisible disabilities or chronic illnesses
• translate personal insights into concrete courses of action
Topics we cover:
Diversity in the workplace; visible and invisible dimensions; disability, chronic and mental health conditions; unconscious biases; tokenism and confirmation bias; inclusion and psychological safety; inclusive meetings; microaggressions; disclosure in the workplace; practical application.
Event Date
November 20, 2026 (9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.)
Event location
Virtual
Course fee
20 €
The Speaker
Dr. Anna Brzykcy
This course is useful for:
Unconscious bias affects how we interact with others in virtually every area of life and often stands in our way. This training will provide you with a solid foundation in this topic, enabling you to interact with different people more consciously and effectively.
What you’ll learn:
- Concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Understanding unconscious bias and perceptual distortions as psychological effects
- An overview of the most important unconscious bias effects in the workplace
- Awareness of your own stereotypes and blind spots, particularly regarding gender, nationality, and background
Topics covered:
- Why are there so many diversity initiatives?
- Definition of diversity, equity, and inclusion
- What is unconscious bias, and what forms does it take?
- Self-reflection on these topics and applying insights to one’s own daily work
- Outlook for possible courses of action in dealing with unconscious bias
Event Date
December 2, 2026 (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
Event location
Virtual
Course Fee
20 €
The Speaker
Davina Eggers
This course is useful for:
Anyone who wants to be a little more relaxed with themselves, their inner critic, and the people around them… and to navigate the “everyday madness” with more self-confidence and a happier outlook.
What you’ll learn here:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to
- better assess their own mental state
- positively influence their own mindset
- use proven techniques for the immediate and long-term
“I-feel-better-now strategy,”
- to guide their inner dialogue and feel better as a result
- to activate your inner coach
- to establish a supportive connection with your inner child
- to develop a deeper sense of self-awareness
Topics we cover:
- My story about myself
- Internal dialogue—appreciating and soothing the inner critic
- Influences from the outside world—past and present
- Pausing Thoughts in the Here and Now
- My self-confidence is my friend
- Using Strengths and Weaknesses in a Resource-Oriented Way
- Fate as an Opportunity—I Can Live with That, Too
Event Dates
December 14, 2026 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
December 15, 2026 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Event Location
Karlstraße 45, 4th Floor, 80333 Munich
Course fee
60 €
The Speaker
Manuela Richter-Meyer
This course is useful for:
Employees who want to work (again) without interruptions and experience the satisfying feeling of productivity. Colleagues who want to organize their work (again) efficiently, independently, and in a healthy way—true to the motto “Work smarter, not harder!”
What you’ll learn here:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to
- understand the “New Work” concept
- identify digital stressors
- broaden their perspective on their own work through discussions with colleagues
- overcome individual challenges of remote work—balancing the office, online meetings, and working from home
- (re)activate tailored techniques from micro- and macro-time management for digital work contexts
- integrate the practical knowledge you’ve gained directly into your daily routine
- work with greater focus and energy
Topics we cover:
- Time management in the context of “New Work”
- Digital resilience and attention as a resource
- Deep Work and energy management
- Planning and prioritization techniques (ALPEN+)
- Practical application: “My New New Work”
What You Should Prepare:
For collaborative work with “Miro” (whiteboard tool), we recommend at least a laptop or, if possible, an even larger screen. Experience has shown that this makes the tool easier to use. No additional prior knowledge or preparation is required.
Event Dates
Part 1: January 13, 2027 (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
Part 2: January 27, 2027 (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.)
The event location
Virtual
Course fee
30 €
The Speaker
Dr. Daniel Kunzelmann
This course is useful for:
Employees who want to deal with stressful situations in a more constructive and calm way, who recognize that stress does not arise solely from external factors, and who are committed to taking good care of themselves at work.
What you can learn here:
After the workshop, participants will be able to
- explain the difference between stress and resilience.
- recognize and avoid everyday “stress traps.”
- use mental techniques and tools to strengthen their emotional balance as well as their physical and mental flexibility
- handle challenging situations with greater confidence.
After the first two days of the course, you’ll have the opportunity to put what you’ve learned into practice in your daily life. On the final transfer day, we’ll share our experiences, compile particularly successful strategies, and find solutions to any problems that may arise.
Topics we’ll cover:
- Energy Check-up, Energy Power Concept, Energy Quality
- Insights from Positive Psychology
- Resilience training and mental strategies
- The Multitasking Trap
- Management Toolkit
Event Dates
Part 1: January 18, 2027 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Part 2: January 19, 2027 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Part 3: February 17, 2027 (9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., virtual transfer day)
The venue
Karlstraße 45, 4th floor, 80333 Munich
Course fee
75 €
The Speaker
Prof. Dr. Yvette Hofmann
This course is useful for:
Employees who …
- want to focus on their mental resilience and emotional balance
- are looking for scientifically grounded techniques and approaches to remain calm and efficient even in challenging situations
- want to foster a supportive and caring work environment for themselves and their team in their day-to-day work
What you can learn here:
By the end of the program, participants will be able to
- apply various techniques and approaches for greater mental stability
- use the experiences gained in the course to apply tools in their daily work that promote calm and efficient work
- identify specific measures that help teams and individuals deal constructively and confidently with change and new demands
Topics we cover:
- Embracing new challenges, reducing stress
- Fear of making mistakes
- Managing diverse demands and performance pressure
- Promoting well-being
- Fostering social connection
Event Date
January 25, 2027 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Event location
Karlstraße 45, 4th Floor, 80333 Munich
Registration Fee
30 €
The Speaker
Tobias Blank
This course is useful for:
Employees who want to learn about the potential of mindfulness and experience this skill through short exercises.
What you’ll learn here:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to...
- explain mindfulness
- apply mindfulness through short exercises in their daily work
- cope with stressful situations with greater self-confidence and flexibility
- apply mindfulness in communication
- live their lives more mindfully
Topics We Cover:
- Definition of Mindfulness
- What is the purpose of mindfulness?
- What are some classic mindfulness exercises?
- How can mindfulness support you in your daily work life?
- How do mindfulness exercises affect physical and mental health?
- Which mindfulness exercises can help employees in their daily work?
What to bring: Comfortable clothing, warm socks
Event Date
January 28, 2027 (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
Event location
Virtual
Course fee
30 €
The instructor
Lisa Grashey
This ViWo is useful for:
Anyone who wants to face today’s changes and the uncertainties of the modern (work) world with more courage, self-confidence, and optimism.
What you can learn here:
After the ViWo, participants will be able to...
- recognize their own resistance and barriers to growth
- apply strategies to overcome them
- take a fresh, modern look at the future and use “futuring” tools to view various future scenarios with a positive and optimistic outlook.
Event Date
October 22, 2026 (2:00–3:30 p.m.)
Event location
Virtual
The Speaker
Anna Donato
This ViWo is useful for:
All employees who want to (re)gain more control over their own time at work and organize their work hours more effectively and in a way that better suits their individual needs.
What you’ll learn here:
After the workshop, participants will be familiar with...
- selected, tried-and-true time management and self-management methods
- ways to reduce time pressure and set priorities more effectively
Event Date
November 2, 2026 (10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Event location
Virtual
The Speaker
Christiane Steubing
This ViWo is useful for:
Anyone who wants to discover creative sources of energy within the demanding environment of their profession in order to create new mental space and regain a sense of mental lightness.
What you’ll learn here:
After the workshop, participants will know…
- how creativity works in the brain—and why it’s a true superpower when dealing with stress
- how to gain fresh perspectives, develop creative solutions, and apply their mental flexibility strategically in their careers
- how creativity can be cultivated as a mental resource—in practical, everyday ways
Event Date
December 9, 2026 (2:00–4:00 p.m.)
Event location
Virtual
The Speaker
Alexandra Schneiderhan
This ViWo is useful for: All employees who are interested in creativity and want to develop new perspectives and innovative ideas.
What you’ll learn here:
In this ViWo, participants will learn:
-
the theoretical foundations of creativity and creative processes
- approaches and methods for deliberately strengthening creativity
- the conditions that support and foster creativity
- how to develop new ideas for tasks and projects with an open and playful mindset
Event Date
December 15, 2026 (10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Event location
Virtual
Course fee
€0
The Instructor
Dr. Silke Astrid Eisenbeiss
This ViWo is useful for:
All employees who often get lost in their own thoughts, who have “a lot on their minds,” and who feel that their thoughts, topics, plans, and ideas need to be organized in a different, new way. Anyone who’s interested in discovering the power of writing.
What you’ll learn here:
Workshop Content:
- From Mind to Paper: The Power of Writing, Ideas, Theories, and Methods
- Practical exercises on different types of journaling
- In-depth self-reflection through your own writing
- We’ll “clear our minds” and develop personalized strategies for our daily (work) lives
Event Date
January 27, 2027 (2:00–3:30 p.m.)
Event location
Virtual
The Speaker
Anna Donato
This workshop is useful for:
Employees who want to learn how to deal more constructively with uncertainty, ambiguity, and open-ended processes.
What you’ll learn here:
After the course, participants will be able to
- perceive unclear and ambiguous situations in a more nuanced way—rather than rushing to simplify them or seeking to resolve them unambiguously
- reflect on their own approach to ambivalence—and to recognize how internal impulses to evaluate or make decisions influence their thinking and actions
- strengthen their ability to act in complex situations using practical tools—through conscious pauses, shifts in perspective, and the development of appropriate next steps
Event Date
February 4, 2027 (10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Event location
Virtual
The Speaker
Dr. Susanne Gesell
This ViWo is useful for:
Anyone who wants to balance their professional and personal lives in accordance with their own needs, values, and priorities.
What you’ll learn here:
- how to shape your personal work-life integration in line with your values and priorities
- which strategies promote better work-life integration
- experiences and best practices for successfully integrating work and personal life (through discussion with other participants)
Event Date
February 24, 2027 (10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Event location
Virtual
The Speaker
Martina Postorino