From October 7–14, 2024, the Technical University of Munich (TUM) proudly hosted the Welcoming Week for the 14th intake of the international MSc Cartography programme. With 31 students from 24 countries, this cohort marks our largest and most diverse group yet—a milestone that speaks to the growing global interest in the science and art of cartography.
From the very beginning, students were immersed in a vibrant, supportive, and academically rich environment. The orientation programme featured a packed schedule filled with activities designed to help them navigate their new surroundings and prepare for the semester ahead.
Highlights included:
- Four keynotes given by the programme directors on the cutting-edge topics such as “The relevance of modern cartography” or “Maps, and challenges of mapping SDG indicators data”.
- Sessions on “How to organize your studies” as well as “Ask a coordinator”.
- Research and programming workshops.
- A unique “Ask a professor” panel, where students learned about the personal journeys and motivations of faculty shaping the field of cartography today.
- A guided TUM campus and library tour.
- The return of our popular “Carto-Bingo” game—a fun way to break the ice and build early connections.
Beyond the classroom: Discovering Munich and its surroundings
Munich offers more than just a place to study—it’s a gateway to natural beauty, culture, and shared adventures. One highlight of the week was a group hike from Schliersee to Tegernsee, where students enjoyed sunshine, mountain views, and a shared lunch in a traditional alpine hut.
Later in the week, a hands-on activity called the Carto Walk gave students the opportunity to explore Munich from a cartographer’s perspective. Divided into small teams, they ventured into different Munich neighborhoods to create map-based stories of each area—an innovative way to build skills, foster collaboration, and develop a deeper connection to the city. After the walk, all students and staff gathered for a Bavarian-style welcome dinner with programme directors and coordinators, giving everyone a chance to connect beyond the academic setting.
Building connections: Academic and community integration
A major focus of the week was community building. Students met with faculty, alumni, and fellow Cartography enthusiasts in a dedicated networking session designed to spark meaningful academic and professional connections.
The week concluded with the matriculation ceremony at TUM’s Garching campus, where students were officially welcomed into the university by TUM President Thomas F. Hofmann during the “Welcome@TUM” celebration. This moment marked their formal entry into both the TUM community Additionally, the faculty organized a warm “Meet and Greet”, bringing together new students from Cartography as well as related study programmes such as ESPACE, Geodesy, and Land Management – a great opportunity to connect across disciplines within the same professional profile.
Looking ahead: A semester of possibilities
To all our new students: congratulations on the beginning of your cartographic journey! With Munich behind you and Vienna, Dresden, and Enschede ahead, we’re excited to see how you grow – academically, professionally, and personally – over the coming semesters.
We’re here to support you every step of the way. Let’s get started!
