About us

The Freunde der TUM supports the Technical University of Munich in science, research and teaching – especially concerning the promotion of young academics. Thus the BdF promotes at the TUM the long tradition of excellent research in (natural) sciences and technology, the innovation and eagerness to experiment, the integrity, openness, social skills and family-friendliness as well as a trust-based and forward-looking education of young people.

Our history

In the summer of 1922, an idea took shape: Following the example of other universities, the Technical University of Munich decided to set up an association named “Bund der Freunde der TUM” (Friends of TUM). A preparatory committee consisting of 70 members – professors and former students of the university – was established, and the list of members reads like a “who’s who” of the German economy and engineering sciences of that time: MAN, Krupp, Hoechst, Siemens, Dyckerhoff, to name just a few of the most prominent names and companies.

 

The goals of the association – as defined in a formal letter to the former students, the patrons and friends of the “Technische Hochschule”, drafted in November 1922 – were to join forces in the field of technology, in theory and practice, in order to work for the good of the university,

 

to promote its scientific and teaching-related tasks as well as to strengthen and awaken a sense of togetherness among all of its former members, their friends, the patrons and supporters

Finally, the “Bund der Freunde der Technischen Hochschule München” was founded on December 7, 1922. In the early years, the association counted about 1,400 members, including about 127 companies and organizations. Today, there are about 2,000 members including 49 companies and organizations. Many of the companies have been loyal members ever since the association was established.

 

The “Bund der Freunde der TUM” (Friends of TUM) promotes contacts between universities and the economy – ideally and materially. The first half a million in donations was already reached during the period of the Reichsmark, before the end of World War II. From 1948 to 2022, the donations – primarily for research projects at TUM – reached a total of more than 8 million Euros.

In 2022, the association celebrates its 100th anniversary and decides to change its name: Freunde der TUM e.V..

Constitution