Duke and TUM Launch Strategic Partnership

The partnership will allow for collaboration across both institutions to address the world’s most pressing challenges.

-By OGA staff

May 6, 2025

On April 28, Duke’s Executive Vice Provost Mohamed Noor and Technical University of Munich (TUM)’s Juliane Winkelmann, Senior Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) outlining areas of mutual interest between the two schools.

Representatives from Duke discuss and sign the MOU with representatives from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) joining via video conference. (Photo credit: Rhiannon Jenkins)

At a roundtable joined by representatives from the Pratt School of Engineering, Fuqua School of Business, Duke-National University of Singapore Graduate Medical School and Office of Global Affairs staff, the partners discussed potential areas of joint work, with a focus on graduate student exchanges, research collaborations, staff exchanges and undergraduate research opportunities.

Duke’s Executive Vice Provost Mohamed Noor (left) holding up the signed MOU with Technical University of Munich (TUM)’s Juliane Winkelmann, Senior Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni via video conference. (Photo credit: Rhiannon Jenkins)

“This moment has been preceded by 10 months of meetings and strategy sessions,” noted Katherine (Black) Conte. “We used that time to cultivate connection and identify areas of intentional collaboration that would support each institution’s strategic goals and engagement.”

The following day was spent meeting faculty members around areas such as artificial intelligence, global health and social impact, also subjects of common strength to both universities.

“We are truly excited about this partnership,” said Associate Vice Provost for Global Affairs Eve Duffy. “We see this signing as the first step in a long and fruitful relationship.”