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Openness and cultural diversity are core principles at TUM, based on a liberal set of values grounded in an enlightened society. The latest project aimed at helping refugees is a prime example of how these values are lived and breathed by everyone at the university. “Our immediate action program for refugees highlights our commitment to combining humanitarian aid with academic excellence,” explains President Wolfgang A. Herrmann. “In just a short space of time, we have set up a program that will play a key role in helping refugees integrate into everyday life in Munich and at our university. Within a few short weeks, over 350 students, employees and alumni signed up for the supporting mentoring program, “Buddies for Refugees”. We have also received significant financial support for the program from a private individual.”
The TUM has an extremely diverse international makeup. Currently, 22 percent of students, 19 percent of academic staff and 15 percent of professors are from countries other than Germany. The university offers a wide range of programs to help and support its international members, including language courses and intercultural workshops. Its diverse offering of music and sports activities also plays a major role in helping people quickly feel at home.
In 2002, TUM founded TUM Asia in Singapore, making it the first German university to open a campus in a foreign country. Today, TUM has affiliated offices on five continents. At every site, the university initiates and supports research collaborations and the intercultural exchange of scientists and students.
The following departments, programs and campaigns play a key role in shaping the TUM’s identity as an open-minded university:
- Openness and cultural inclusion are firmly anchored in TUM’s mission statement: www.tum.de/mission-statement/
- Immediate action program for refugees: www.tum.de/refugees
- Mentoring program for refugees: www.jungeakademie.tum.de/en/buddy-refugees
- The TUM.Diversity team implements university-wide measures that help create a diverse, open atmosphere of inclusion for students and staff alike: www.diversity.tum.de/en
- Student union diversity office: www.asta.tum.de/en/themen-projekte/diversity
- TUM is at home the world over. The following link provides an overview of the university’s locations across the globe: www.tum.de/en/global/international-locations
- Many researchers and students at TUM are passionate about global challenges. The following link provides an overview of projects and initiatives in developing countries: www.international.tum.de/en/entwicklungs-zusammenarbeit/
- The International Center offers a wide range of programs for international students: www.international.tum.de/en/welcome-to-tum/
- List of contact partners for international issues at the different faculties: www.international.tum.de/en/contact/tums-international-affairs-delegates/
- Language coaching and intercultural training for new, international researchers at the TUM:: www.diversity.tum.de/en/career-and-training/coaching/
- Language cafe for international students: www.international.tum.de/en/talk-tumi
- Courses in intercultural communication at the TUM Language Center: www.sprachenzentrum.tum.de/en/intercultural-communication/
- One-on-one conversation practice at the TUM Language Center: www.sprachenzentrum.tum.de/en/learning-a-language-in-tandem/
- Welcome Center for international researchers at TUM Family: www.researcher.international.tum.de/en/welcome-to-tum/
- Munich Welcome – network for international researchers: www.researcher.international.tum.de/en/munich-welcome/
- Finding apartments in Munich: Advice for exchange students and services for international visiting scientists and PhD students: www.tum.de/en/university-life/accommodations/
- International Day at the TUM School of Life Sciences Weihenstephan and the Garching campus: www.internationalday.tum.de/en