Still a "University of Excellence": Johannes Windmiller on the TUM's status

The TUM is still a "University of Excellence". In June 2012, the TUM was once again elected as one of the winners of the Excellence Initiative (a competition started by the federal and stately governments to promote science and research at universities in Germany). What does this mean for the TUM? In what ways can the students benefit? TUMstudinews asked Johannes Windmiller about this. He represents the students in the TUM's Senate and Supervisory Board.

TUMstudinews: In June, the TUM was one of the winning universities in the German "Excellence Initiative" – for the second time. All in all, how would you judge this result?

Johannes Windmiller: The TUM is definitely up among the leaders again – it is one of the winners. Five of the six research clusters that will not be funded any more belong to the field of engineering, however. The focus has shifted. Unfortunately, the TUM cluster of Cognition for Technical Systems (CoTeSys) is one of them, which is extremely unfortunate. The Graduate School of Risk and Security was not approved either. But what I cannot understand at all is why the new electric mobility cluster was rejected!

TUMstudinews: Together with the TUM, the University of the Federal Armed Forces (Universität der Bundeswehr), the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and a total of 17 industrial partners – including the major automobile manufacturers in Germany – wanted to participate in the cluster "Electro Mobility beyond 2020".

Johannes Windmiller: Electric Mobility is a very important issue that needs to be explored to find a solution for the high CO2 emissions and oil shortages. In the past, many universities have worked out and presented concepts. The TUM, however, has developed its own electric car: MUTE. This was a huge feat – and then the cluster failed to be approved... That’s something I just can't understand. And it is precisely because Germany missed the starting signal for research in the field of electric mobility that no effort should be spared to invest and get a head start over the competitors.

TUMstudinews: At first glance, the Excellence Initiative is all about promoting research. Is there nothing more to it?

Johannes Windmiller: It is clear that the competition's selection criteria are not only focused on teaching. For example, more renowned researchers can join the TUM and improve the supervisory situation for our students because of the new professorships that are being financed with Excellence Initiative funds. In view of the high standards of the appointments, we can be sure that both the quality and the quantity of tuition will improve. Because of our student research, we can also take part in primary research projects, at least to a small extent – and so recent research results will also come up in the lectures we hear.

TUMstudinews: The students repeatedly emphasize that the lectures should not be neglected.

Johannes Windmiller: The lectures are of outstanding interest, despite the whole importance of cutting-edge research. The professors’ collective knowledge – of which there is an almost infinite wealth at the university – has to be passed on. The importance of teaching must remain alive in our minds and in the conversations conducted among the professors. It would be great if good lessons were as highly acclaimed as the publishing of outstanding papers.

TUMstudinews: More and more topics will be explored at the TUM. For example, natural sciences, engineering as well as life sciences are going to be evaluated from the point of view of their interdependence with society at the Munich Center for Technology in Society (MCTS). The students will be offered a number of entirely new amenities in order to expand their horizons across their courses of study.

Johannes Windmiller: In my view, the topics to be researched and taught at the MCTS go even further than "expanding the horizon”. It is absolutely necessary to consider the interdependence with society when developing new products of any kind whatsoever, to observe how society reacts to products or solutions – and to try and find out how society is changing and how products and solutions will need to be customized. This is quite rare in most of the degree courses. For example, ethical issues are of importance here as well. I anticipate really interesting results from the MCTS – it is sure to establish itself.

TUMstudinews: The TUM is involved in five clusters as the main project partner. And it will continue to wear the label of a "University of Excellence". Does this reputation not have an enormous positive effect for later on, when someone has graduated here?

Johannes Windmiller: The TUM has a great reputation. I cannot say if the "University of Excellence" is really well known to all HR managers. During the last few years, we had a lot of favourable press coverage thanks to the Excellence Initiative. So – in general – this has definitely helped a lot regarding the overall reputation.

TUMstudinews: We hear from different sides that the Excellence Initiative has created a very innovative atmosphere at the TUM. Do you agree with that?

Johannes Windmiller: I've been at the TUM for the last four years, so I have no means of comparing it to the time before the Excellence Initiative. But what I have clearly noticed is that, everywhere at the TUM, there are people who want to improve things. No matter in what area. It is not possible to implement every idea, of course, but there is a tremendous openness prevailing at TUM. There is a huge interest and commitment towards innovations. People are looking closely to find out where improvements can be made.

Johannes Windmiller (25) is studying mechanical engineering in his 8th semester, focusing on systematic product development and helicopter technology. He was elected to represent the students in the TUM Senate and the Supervisory Board, the university's highest committees. Both decide on the TUM's "direction of development" and on key issues such as setting up new courses, making amendments to statutes or examination regulations. They also monitor the university administration's activities.

Further news:
"Semi-stowaways": TUM students develop a satellite to be launched into space
Free and to be read anywhere: The UB has 40,000 e-books
TUM Mentoring: individual - personal - international
Not to be missed: BaföG, Campus App and 100 students
TUMSpotlight: TUM at the Documenta: Korbinian apples in Kassel