After a prelude by the string quartet Lumina, Prof. Ingrid Kögel-Knabner, Dean of the TUM School of Life Sciences, spoke. She began her personal speech by recalling her own student days: 40 years ago, she was among the first to write her thesis on a computer instead of a typewriter - and today, with artificial intelligence, we are at a similar technological turning point.
Long days in the field, long evenings in the lab or library and parties are part of the memories - in the past as well as today. But unlike back then, the proportion of women today is high: in the current Master's graduating class at the TUM School of Life Sciences, it is 64%. 40% of the students on the Master's program came from abroad – from over 50 countries.
“In a world facing challenges such as climate change, global health crises, biodiversity loss, and food security, your expertise is more vital than ever”, said Dean Ingrid Kögel-Knabner.
She gave the graduates three thoughts to take with them on their way: “First, use your knowledge for the common good. The Life Sciences offer tools to save lives, protect the environment, and shape the future. Second, stay critical and compassionate. Science needs integrity – especially in these times of misinformation and societal polarization. And for the third: Never lose the courage to think big. The challenges are great – but your ideas are even greater.”
Prof. Claudia Peus, TUM Vice President for Talent Management and Diversity, spoke next. She quoted Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie: “There is nothing to fear in life, you just have to understand it.” Peus followed up with her own words: “Now is the time to understand more so that we fear less.” As we live in a post-factual society, scientific evidence is all the more important, said Claudia Peus. Her final plea: “Think critically and never stop asking questions.”
This was followed by a speech by Prof. Wilfried Schwab, Vice Dean of Study and Teaching at the TUM School of Life Sciences. He talked about the promotion of entrepreneurship and young academics at TUM: students win numerous prizes and competitions. He also referred to international rankings in which TUM performs very well: The “QS World University Ranking” sees TUM as the best university in the EU, and in the “Global Employability Ranking” TUM was most recently ranked 13th worldwide.
Finally, alumna Dr. Claudia Häpp gave a keynote. She herself completed her degree in Ecotrophology at TUM in Freising-Weihenstephan 21 years ago and received an award for the best thesis at the time. “But learning is not over, it goes on,” said Häpp. She advised seizing opportunities, taking responsibility and also cultivating networks. And she recommended to send clear messages and to be visible – including online. She directly demonstrated this herself by taking a selfie with her mobile phone, with the full hall in the background.
After the last speech, the graduates were asked to come forward in groups. The Dean and Vice Dean congratulated them warmly and presented them with the graduates' hats and a gift: a meter stick with “TUM School of Life Sciences” printed on it. Wilfried Schwab explained that this was not only meant for craftsmanship, but also a “symbol of building a successful life.”
At the end of the personal congratulations, everyone was called to the stage together - with a joint hat toss for the cheerful graduation photo. The string quartet played another piece to round things off. Finally, graduates, relatives and friends continued the celebrations with champagne in the foyer.