History and development

The history of the Technische Universität Ilmenau is characterised by the engineering training, particularly in the fields of electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. The university is bound to this scientific tradition also in its future development. This tradition as well as the strong interdisciplinary connection to the economic and social sciences just as to the natural sciences determine the profile of the university. Its firm aim is to figure among the best academic, technologically-oriented educational establishments. Hence, modern forms of studying and innovative courses of study are developed and supported by the university. The strong commitment of its staff just as a sound education of the students including professional supervision receive academic recognition at a high level.

Training and further education

Technology, natural sciences, business and media are the pillars of the training taking place at Ilmenau university, with high quality being of prime importance. Here, the TU Ilmenau orientates itself to the international standard of the offers and contents of training. As both the basic conditions of work and the professional sphere are constantly changing, further education is part and parcel of the courses offered at the university in consideration of the principle of a lifelong learning process. To meet these requirements, also each member of the university has the right to professional further education, which is strongly supported by the establishment. Both study and academic further education are characterised by the fact that the university teachers and the students work together as partners, with this cooperation being supported by innovative forms of teaching and studying. The quality of training is ensured by an efficient organisation and planning of study in connection with good material study conditions and an individual supervision and technical consultancy. Communication between and within all university groups is understood as part of the educational contract. All factors taken together are the prerequisite for the rapid completion of the study within the number of terms prescribed.

Research

Research is the basis for lively university teaching and further education, for the nurturing of the next generation of academics and the further education of the university staff. Exploring research, basic research as well as applied research just as its practical application and the transfer of the results of scientific research work to the economy enjoy an equal status and are promoted continually. The research orientates itself towards national, international and also regional focal subjects. It is subject to the ethical principles formulated in the basic law and in the General Declaration of Human Rights. The Technische Universität Ilmenau develops its focal subjects of research on the basis of profile lines fixed for a specific time frame and structure. In doing so, great attention is attached to a lively correlation between research and teaching. The scientific publishing activity is furthered not only as proof of the quality of the results of scientific research, but also as an important means of scientific exchange.

National and international networking

The Technische Universität Ilmenau is an active partner in the scientific-technological just as economic promotion of the Ilmenau Technological Development Area. In addition to this, it seeks to gain wide reputation on both a national and international scale. Therefore, it maintains partnership contacts to educational establishments and industrial companies in Germany and abroad, and motivates its members to take an active part in these contacts by participating in development programmes. Considering the educational export as one its main tasks, the university supports the international exchange of its students and collaborators on the basis of programmes set up to this end. The Technische Universität Ilmenau strives to increase the number of foreign students and, therefore, promotes the cultural education as an important aspect of an ever increasing international competence requested.

Self-government

An efficient self-government supports the teaching and research processes on a service-providing basis. The university groups undergo regular evaluations and support the performance-orientated distribution of all resources. All levels of self-government and the administration services make and present their decisions in an open and transparent way. The Technische Universität Ilmenau participates constructively in the planning of the education and higher education policy in order to provide the best possible conditions for study, teaching and research. Furthermore, it supports the commitment and the voluntary work of its members in cultural, sporting and social fields in the university sphere.