First-year welcome at the open-air event “Welcome@TUM“
Thousands of students celebrate the start of their journey at TUM
The first day at university is a special moment one never forgets – and at TUM, it’s also a day that reflects the diversity and international spirit of its student community, who come together to laugh, dance, and celebrate. “We see people from all over the world – from Brazil, Korea, China … and I feel very welcome,” says Andy Kim from Frankfurt, who has just started his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. His friend, Waleed Alhusani from Abu Dhabi, who studies chemical engineering, adds: “The cheerful atmosphere makes you look forward to the future – and to everything that’s yet to come.”
“This world needs movers and shakers. People like you.”
TUM President Thomas F. Hofmann highlighted the promising future that awaits the university’s first-year students in his welcome address: “The fact that you are here today already shows that you are able to make the right decisions – such as choosing TUM as your destination for a fantastic career,” Hofmann said. He noted that more than 45 percent of TUM graduates find employment within a month of completing their degree.
Hofmann also emphasized the importance of being courageous, developing one’s talents, and bringing them out into the world. He pointed out that especially in times of global change, we need people who lead the way with new ideas: “This world needs movers and shakers. People like you.”
Bavaria’s Minister President Markus Söder and Science Minister Markus Blume also welcomed the new students. Both acknowledged the outstanding role of TUM for Bavaria, Germany, and Europe. “What matters to us is your success, and I can guarantee you one thing: Those who graduate from this university have the best career opportunities anywhere in the world,” Söder underlined. Nobel laureates, leading researchers, and successful start-ups have all emerged from TUM. Blume emphasized: “You are at the best university – not only in Germany, but in the entire European Union.”
“Welcome to our community. Welcome to TUM!”
That’s exactly why Hasti Kaviani, a biochemistry student from Iran, chose TUM: “I’ve heard a lot about the innovations and the investments that were put into research here.” After graduating, she can imagine founding a start-up and sees TUM as the ideal place to find the right people for it. Her fellow student, Sarah Maria Schröder, has two goals in mind: pursuing a PhD and living abroad. “TUM is also very popular internationally. For example, I’d like to go to China – and a lot of Chinese people know TUM,” Sarah says. For now, both are simply looking forward to their time at TUM – meeting new friends, attending classes and lab courses, and discovering new passions through the many student clubs on campus.
“You’ll learn together, laugh together – and yes, maybe even fail together sometimes. But you know what? It’s experiences like these that will make your studies unforgettable,” said Paula Dobrinski from the student council, encouraging the new students. “This time will shape you, challenge you, and enrich you in incredibly. Welcome to our community. Welcome to TUM!”
Technical University of Munich
- Natalie Neudert
- natalie.neudert@tum.de
