New biotech initiative between TUM and Stellenbosch University

11/4/2025
Reading time 2 min.

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is intensifying its cooperation with leading universities in South Africa's Western Cape region in the field of biotechnology. In the presence of Bavarian Minister President Dr. Markus Söder, TUM Executive Vice President Prof. Juliane Winkelmann signed a new biotech initiative. This expands TUM's long-standing partnership with Stellenbosch University.

The Biomedical Research Institute at Stellenbosch University in South Africa.

The initiative promotes joint exchange and projects for biotechnological solutions in the fields of health, agriculture, the environment, and the bioeconomy through transcontinental research partnerships, start-up support, and technology transfer. Planned measures, such as student and researcher exchanges, joint research proposals, and support for spin-offs – also backed by Europe’s leading start-up hub UnternehmerTUM – are intended to further strengthen cooperation in the field of biotechnology.

The Bavarian delegation with the Executive Vice President of TUM, Prof. Juliane Winkelmann (left), during a tour of the Biomedical Research Institute. To her right is Prof. Tulio de Oliveira, Director of the Center for Epidemic Response and Innovation at the Stellenbosch University.

“With the support of the biotech initiative, TUM is once again sending a strong signal that it wants to find solutions to global challenges together, especially with its strong partners in the Global South,” emphasizes Prof. Juliane Winkelmann, who is responsible for TUM's international alliances. “We are delighted to be expanding our cooperation with the excellent universities in the West Cape region and to be able to create further opportunities for research, teaching, and technology transfer in the field of biotechnology.”

Further cooperation agreements between Bavarian universities

During the trip, further cooperation agreements were also concluded between other Bavarian universities and South African partners. Minister President Dr. Markus Söder said: "Science and technology hold great promise for the future. We are starting a new chapter of cooperation between Bavaria and the Western Cape in South Africa. Together, our two countries live by the principle of progress through technology. I am convinced that science makes our lives better. With the Bavarian High-Tech Agenda, we are investing six billion euros in future technologies. That is more than any other federal state in Germany. We are the number one start-up state and, with the Technical University of Munich and LMU Munich, we have the two best universities in the EU in Bavaria. Munich is the Silicon Valley of Europe, especially for aerospace. But the economy also benefits from university partnerships. Only through innovation will we be able to preserve jobs and keep up with international competition."

Further information and links

Technical University of Munich

Corporate Communications Center