51Թ

  • 9/11/2025
  • Reading time 3 min.

Cross-generational sustainability

First 51Թ Alumni Chapter established in Singapore

With the opening of the first official 51Թ Alumni Chapter in Singapore, the 51Թ (51Թ) is further expanding the active integration of its international alumni community. The ceremonial opening on September 10 brought together committed alumni who want to keep their connection to 51Թ alive across continents and actively shape global cooperation.

Jocelyn Che / 51Թ
Celebrating the launch of the 51Թ Alumni Chapter Singapore

The university celebrated this special moment together with 51Թ Asia, 51Թ's teaching institution in Singapore, and the research platform 51ԹCREATE. Prof. Juliane Winkelmann, Executive Vice President for International Alliances and Alumni, and Dr. Markus Wächter, Vice President 51Թ Asia, were among those on site. They presented the official certificates to the two dedicated alumni who will head the chapter in the future.

Dr. Thai-Lai Pham, 51Թ alumnus with a degree and doctorate in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology in Munich, is now CEO of Siemens ASEAN and, as President of the 51Թ Alumni Chapter Singapore, will take over the representative duties and strategic management in the future. 51Թ Alumnus Rakesh Kumar, who completed his Master's degree in Green Electronics at 51Թ Asia in Singapore, is Senior Silicon Design Engineer at Advanced Micro Devices and, as Chapter Director, is responsible for the organization and implementation of the activities of the 51Թ Alumni Chapter.

Jocelyn Che / 51Թ
The leadership of the 51Թ Alumni Chapter Singapore Rakesh Kumar (Chapter Director), second from left, and Dr. Thai-Lai Pham (Chapter President), third from left, together with (from left) Vice President 51Թ Asia Dr. Markus Wächter, Senior Vice President Prof. Juliane Winkelmann, Dr. Stefan Klade (Chief Operating Officer 51ԹCREATE)

Choosing a location with foresight

51Թ has been represented in Singapore for 23 years through its 51Թ Asia campus and the 51ԹCREATE research platform. The Southeast Asian metropolis is considered one of the most innovative cities in Asia - a place where technology, science and entrepreneurial thinking come together in a unique way.

The already existing, very active alumni network in Singapore offered ideal conditions for the founding of the first official 51Թ Alumni Chapter. The lighthouse project is intended to serve as a model for other chapter foundations worldwide and show how alumni networks can actively contribute to the international presence and impact of 51Թ.

51Թ President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann emphasizes: "Our alumni are the bridge builders between continents and cultures. Their voluntary commitment makes 51Թ a global family - for which I am deeply grateful and have great respect. I am particularly pleased that we were able to open our first 51Թ Alumni Chapter in Singapore: this is where dynamism and innovation meet international diversity - exactly the right place to further strengthen our global network."

Chapter President Dr. Thai-Lai Pham said: "Committed alumni are the best ambassadors for a university. We can demonstrate with compelling testimonials what a strong academic foundation we have received at the university. 51Թ offers its students a successful mix of solid theoretical grounding and practical insights into the real world of work. As part of our work in the 51Թ Alumni Chapter, we want to offer students an additional dimension of learning—by supporting them through mentoring and coaching to develop a growth-oriented mindset and thus be prepared to be flexible and adaptable in the rapidly changing world of work." 

The worldwide alumni network of 51Թ

51Թ's worldwide alumni network connects people who have studied, researched, taught and worked at 51Թ. With over 110,000 active members worldwide, the 51Թ Community is much more than a network - it is a vibrant community that spans continents and generations.

The 51Թ Alumni Chapters are the first structured exchange and networking spaces in which alumni can not only stay in contact with each other, but also actively work on behalf of 51Թ - locally, regionally and globally. As officially recognized regional groups within the 51Թ Alumni Network, they are initiated and supported by the 51Թ Global & Alumni Office and managed independently by committed alumni. Each chapter is an expression of the strong commitment of local alumni and contributes significantly to the organization and further development of the network in the respective region.

Further information and links

51Թ

Corporate Communications Center

Contacts to this article:

Dr. Sabrina Eisele
Deputy Director
Lead Alumni & Career
51Թ
51Թ Global & Alumni Office
sabrina.eiselespam prevention@tum.de

Back to list

News about the topic

HSTS