TUM School of Life Sciences Celebrates Master’s Graduates from 54 Nations

In his address, Dean of the TUM School of Life Sciences Prof. Dr. Martin Klingenspor praised the graduates as a generation ready to question assumptions, tackle global challenges, and shape the future through science and innovation. He highlighted the unique role of life scientists in addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including climate change, global health, biodiversity loss, and food security. He encouraged graduates to embrace uncertainty as an integral part of scientific discovery, reminding them that “failure is not the opposite of success. It is actually part of the method.”

In a similarly forward-looking address, Prof. Dr. Jeanne Rubner, TUM Senior Vice President for Global Communication and Public Engagement, emphasized that graduates leave university with far more than subject-specific expertise. Throughout their studies, they have developed the ability to navigate complexity, critically assess uncertainty, and tackle problems that rarely have straightforward solutions – skills that are increasingly valuable in a rapidly changing world. Reflecting on the challenges facing society, she stressed the importance of interdisciplinary thinking and scientific integrity. “Society does not primarily need more isolated answers. It needs people who can handle complexity without turning away from it,” she told the graduating class.

Prof. Dr. Wilfried Schwab, Vice Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, focused on the excellent professional opportunities available to graduates of the TUM School of Life Sciences. He emphasized that the combination of TUM’s academic excellence, innovation, and entrepreneurial thinking provides graduates with a strong foundation for successful careers and meaningful contributions to society. Highlighting TUM’s strong international reputation and entrepreneurial culture, he noted that students benefit from direct access to UnternehmerTUM, one of Europe's most successful innovation and startup hubs, where ideas developed during their studies can be transformed into successful ventures and real-world solutions.

One of the ventures that originated at TUM is air up, a hydration system that flavors water through scent alone. Founder Fabian Schlang first studied Nutritional Science before completing the master’s program in Food Technology and Biotechnology at the TUM School of Life Sciences. Taking the stage as a successful alumnus, he shared his entrepreneurial journey and served as an inspiring example of someone who embraced the uncertainty that often accompanies life after graduation and transformed it into opportunity through innovation and perseverance.

The Awards for Outstanding Master’s Theses were presented by Mayor Monika Schwind, who attended the graduation ceremony in this role for the first time. The 2026 ceremony also marked the first time that the awards were presented as part of the School of Life Sciences Graduation Ceremony. Seven graduates – one representing each academic field of the School of Life Sciences – were honored for theses that had all received the highest possible grade of 1.0. Following personal laudations and certificates were presented to the award winners. Three recipients who were unable to attend the ceremony participated through recorded video messages.

The ceremony culminated in the traditional cap toss, introduced by Dean Klingenspor with the command “air up.” Accompanied by the Lumina Quartet, the newly graduated alumni then left the auditorium to the sounds of “We Are the Champions”, bringing the celebration to a fitting close.

The recipients of the awards for the best Master’s theses of the 2024/25 academic year, presented by the Mayor of the City of Freising, are:

Here are some insights into the 2026 Graduation Ceremony agricultural and horticultural sciences.