Bavarian Science Minister Blume and TUM President Hofmann visit Singapore

TUM Asia to host new “Bavarian University and Innovation Center Asia-Pacific”

For over 22 years, TUM has maintained a strong presence in Singapore. With its recent relocation, TUM Asia is now strategically positioned at two locations, on the campus of NTU as well as on the new campus of the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). Beyond its academic offerings, TUM Asia also encompasses TUMCREATE, a multidisciplinary research platform located at the Singapore Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise. Together with partner universities, public institutions, and industry partners, TUMCREATE is driving cutting-edge research in areas such as protein science, sustainability, medical diagnostics, mobility, and energy.

The mission of BayAP is to promote international academic collaboration by supporting Bavarian universities and researchers in expanding their global partnerships. As a central hub, it aims to foster synergies between Bavarian and Singaporean institutions of higher learning, as well as their respective start-up and innovation ecosystems - particularly in the fields of deep tech, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

TUM President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann emphasized: "The expansion of TUM into Singapore has marked a significant milestone in the internationalization strategy of our university. It has become both a role model and one of our key success factors. In today’s interconnected world, international cooperation is vital to addressing the grand challenges humanity is facing. Therefore, we further strengthend our engagement in Singapore by entering into a flagship partnership with NTU last year."

Bavaria’s Science Minister Markus Blume stated: “Bavaria and Singapore share a strong culture of innovation, a high quality of life, and economic success. We are deepening our collaboration – and both sides will benefit. For us, Singapore is the gateway to the Asia-Pacific innovation region. With our university and innovation center BayAP, we are positioning ourselves as a European high-tech location and a premium research partner. The BayAP is the first official presence of a German federal state in research in Singapore. This marks a strategic milestone in the internationalization of our universities. And we are once again breaking new ground – just as we did over 20 years ago: in 2002, we established TUM Asia, the first international campus of any German university. Today, with BayAP, we are creating a point of contact for all Bavarian universities – a center for networking, matchmaking, and support programs. At the same time, this branch is an invitation to high potentials from the Asia-Pacific region to come to Bavaria.”

Dr. Markus Wächter, Managing Director of TUM Asia, added: "TUM Asia’s relocation to NTU underscores our long-term commitment to growth and deeper academic integration within Singapore’s dynamic educational landscape. This new location not only reinforces the flagship partnership between TUM and NTU, but also houses the regional support office for the Bavarian University and Innovation Center Asia-Pacific. Through this initiative, we aim to catalyze cross-border research collaborations and foster academic mobility between Singapore and Bavaria."

Since its founding in 2002, TUM Asia has graduated over 3,000 students from more than 45 countries, offering doctoral, master’s, and bachelor’s degree programs, alongside an extensive portfolio of lifelong learning opportunities. Students enrolled in TUM Asia’s degree programs receive diplomas directly from TUM, while participants in joint programs earn degrees conferred jointly by TUM and its partner universities in Singapore.