Cross-generational sustainability
First TUM Alumni Chapter established in Singapore
The university celebrated this special moment together with TUM Asia, TUM's teaching institution in Singapore, and the research platform TUMCREATE. Prof. Juliane Winkelmann, Executive Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni, and Dr. Markus Wächter, Vice President TUM Asia, were among those on site. They presented the official certificates to the two dedicated alumni who will head the chapter in the future.
Dr. Thai-Lai Pham, TUM alumnus with a degree and doctorate in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology in Munich, is now CEO of Siemens ASEAN and, as President of the TUM Alumni Chapter Singapore, will take over the representative duties and strategic management in the future. TUM Alumnus Rakesh Kumar, who completed his Master's degree in Green Electronics at TUM Asia in Singapore, is Senior Silicon Design Engineer at Advanced Micro Devices and, as Chapter Director, is responsible for the organization and implementation of the activities of the TUM Alumni Chapter.
Choosing a location with foresight
TUM has been represented in Singapore for 23 years through its TUM Asia campus and the TUMCREATE research platform. The Southeast Asian metropolis is considered one of the most innovative cities in Asia - a place where technology, science and entrepreneurial thinking come together in a unique way.
The already existing, very active alumni network in Singapore offered ideal conditions for the founding of the first official TUM Alumni Chapter. The lighthouse project is intended to serve as a model for other chapter foundations worldwide and show how alumni networks can actively contribute to the international presence and impact of TUM.
TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann emphasizes: "Our alumni are the bridge builders between continents and cultures. Their voluntary commitment makes TUM a global family - for which I am deeply grateful and have great respect. I am particularly pleased that we were able to open our first TUM Alumni Chapter in Singapore: this is where dynamism and innovation meet international diversity - exactly the right place to further strengthen our global network."
Chapter President Dr. Thai-Lai Pham said: "Committed alumni are the best ambassadors for a university. We can demonstrate with compelling testimonials what a strong academic foundation we have received at the university. TUM offers its students a successful mix of solid theoretical grounding and practical insights into the real world of work. As part of our work in the TUM Alumni Chapter, we want to offer students an additional dimension of learning—by supporting them through mentoring and coaching to develop a growth-oriented mindset and thus be prepared to be flexible and adaptable in the rapidly changing world of work."
The worldwide alumni network of TUM
TUM's worldwide alumni network connects people who have studied, researched, taught and worked at TUM. With over 110,000 active members worldwide, the TUM Community is much more than a network - it is a vibrant community that spans continents and generations.
The TUM Alumni Chapters are the first structured exchange and networking spaces in which alumni can not only stay in contact with each other, but also actively work on behalf of TUM - locally, regionally and globally. As officially recognized regional groups within the TUM Alumni Network, they are initiated and supported by the TUM Global & Alumni Office and managed independently by committed alumni. Each chapter is an expression of the strong commitment of local alumni and contributes significantly to the organization and further development of the network in the respective region.
Technical University of Munich
Corporate Communications Center
- Ulrich Meyer
- presse@tum.de
- Teamwebsite
Contacts to this article:
Dr. Sabrina Eisele
Deputy Director
Lead Alumni & Career
Technical University of Munich
TUM Global & Alumni Office
sabrina.eisele@tum.de
