The TUM School of Management and the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology (CIT) are launching a joint pilot project at the Technical University of Munich to develop more adaptable models for professorships in Germany. The initiative, funded by the VolkswagenStiftung as part of the program “Impulse für die Zukunft der Hochschule: Strategische Experimentierräume und agile Professuren,” explores how academic roles can evolve to better address the demands of entrepreneurship, international collaboration, and high-impact societal engagement.
The project addresses structural and legal constraints that currently limit the scope of professorial work in Germany. Existing regulations – particularly regarding teaching obligations, secondary employment, and narrowly defined leave options – make it difficult for professors to devote time to activities such as supporting technology-based start-ups, engaging in international joint appointments, or contributing to policy and innovation processes.
The concept of the Agile Professorship addresses this gap by enabling a temporary reallocation of duties for one to three years, supported by a structured system that ensures continuity in teaching and administrative responsibilities.
Three models are being explored: an Entrepreneurial Professorship to support the development and scaling of high‑tech ventures, a Global Network Professorship focused on joint appointments with leading universities, and an Industry Bridge Professorship that strengthens collaboration with corporate partners. Together, these models aim to demonstrate how universities can enhance strategic agility, knowledge transfer, and global competitiveness.
The pilot is made possible by the Innovation Clause of the Bavarian Higher Education Innovation Act (BayHIG), which enables the TUM School of Management to test new organizational structures beyond existing regulations. Insights from the project are intended to guide future development within the Technical University of Munich and provide a blueprint for other universities across Bavaria and Germany.
The project is led by Prof. Dr. Isabell Welpe and PD Dr. Theresa Treffers under the supervision of TUM President Prof. Dr. Thomas Hofmann and the Deans of both Schools, Prof. Dr. Hans-Joachim Bungartz and Prof. Dr. Christoph Kaserer.
