TUM Graduate Council

We are delighted to announce the transition of the 1st Speaker position at TUM Graduate School. This pivotal role, previously held by Stuart Daniel James of TUM Graduate School of Engineering and Design, will now be taken over by Jessica Bielski of TUM GS ED. Stuart has made significant contributions, steering the team with dedication and foresight, and we extend our deepest gratitude for his outstanding leadership and the legacy he leaves behind.

As we embrace this change, Jessica steps into the role with remarkable competence, drive, and a passion for change. Her extensive experience and proven ability to lead and inspire others make her the perfect candidate to guide TUM Graduate School into its next chapter of success. The team is thrilled to welcome her, and we are confident that her vision and initiatives will have a profound and positive impact on our community.

In addition to this exciting transition, we are pleased to retain Leon Chryssos of TUM Graduate School of Natural Sciences as our 2nd Speaker. His continued presence provides invaluable continuity and expertise, ensuring that the leadership team benefits from a blend of fresh perspectives and seasoned knowledge. This combination is certain to strengthen our efforts and support our collective goals.

Congratulations to Jessica and Leon on this well-deserved appointment! The entire team has high expectations for the future and is eager to support them as they take on these vital roles. Together, under their leadership, we look forward to achieving new heights and continuing our tradition of excellence.

What is the Doctoral Candidates’ vision of pursuing a doctorate at TUM? Last Thursday, The Speakers had the opportunity to present this vision to president Hofmann on behalf of the TUM Graduate Council. It was a warm and fruitful discussion which not only proved the president’s support for our concerns but also provided us with some valuable background information. We are looking forward to seeing some of our ideas implemented – ideally as part of TUM’s Excellence Strategy.

Our statement’s three main points include:

👩‍🏫 Excellent Supervision … highlighting that the perceived quality of supervision differs substantially among doctoral candidates. Actions are required to make supervision at TUM even better and assure its quality.

📑 Funding and Woring Conditions … pointing out that the current state of compensation for doctoral candidates is complicated and opens up pathways for abuse. Actions are required to ensure that doctoral candidates can make a living in Munich.

🎙Colloquia for Doctoral Candidates … presenting doctoral projects to a TUM-wide audience of doctoral candidates, receiving diverse peer feedback, thereby facilitating interdisciplinary research and collaborations, and shaping a global mindset for future employment.

A huge thank you to our TUM Graduate Council members for working so hard on this statement!!!

How can TUM future-proof itself as an attractive and innovative choice for pursuing a doctorate among global top universities? What is your vision for the next decade? – some big questions asked by TUM president Prof. Thomas Hofmann in our first meeting. Big questions that we will make sure to carry back home to the TUM Graduate Council to collect some rich feedback by July 2024.

As newly elected speakers of the TUM Graduate Council, Leon Chryssos and Stuart Daniel James were introduced to Prof. Hofmann by their predecessors Anna Christina Jäkel and Ayesha Müller-Wolfertshofer. As first speaker Stuart will represent all doctoral candidates at the TUM Senate and TUM Board of Trustees for the coming year. Leon will take on a formative role at TUM Graduate School meetings as second speaker.

The TUM GC starts a new series on its social media accounts introducing its current members in more detail and on a personal level.

For the second time, the members of the TUM Graduate Council spent a weekend at the TUM Science & Study Center in Raitenhaslach to intensively work on various topics.

Our former speakers Christoph and Franziska wrote an article for TUMcampus on the presentation of the first TUM Supervisory Award in December.

The TUM Graduate Council is currently looking for a student assistant who wants to support the work of the TUM Graduate Council and its Speakers. In case you are interested or know somebody who might be interested, you can find more details in the position description.