Prof. Chiara Manfletti Brings International Expertise to Her New Role as Technical University of Munich Senate Chair

Uli Benz / TUM

(IN BRIEF) Prof. Chiara Manfletti has been elected Chair of the Senate at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), following her first election to the Senate earlier this year. She brings vast international experience from academia, the European Space Agency, and her tenure as the first female president of the Portuguese Space Agency. Prof. Ulf Schlichtmann will continue as her deputy. Manfletti emphasized the need for courage and vision in institutional development, while TUM President Thomas Hofmann praised her strategic mindset and leadership. The Senate is central to shaping TUM’s academic and organizational direction, influencing study programs, appointments, and policy-making across the university.

(PRESS RELEASE) MUNICH, 10-Oct-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Prof. Chiara Manfletti has been appointed as the new Chair of the Senate at the Technical University of Munich (TUM). After being elected to the Senate during the summer elections, she was chosen by her fellow members to lead the body at its inaugural meeting.

Prof. Manfletti, who currently serves as Professor of Space Mobility and Propulsion and heads the Department of Aerospace and Geodesy within the TUM School of Engineering and Design, brings with her a wealth of international expertise. Her career spans academia, industry, space research, and governmental organizations. She has previously held prominent roles such as the first female president of the Portuguese Space Agency and department head at the European Space Agency (ESA).

Prof. Ulf Schlichtmann will continue to serve as her deputy in the Senate’s leadership. A Full Professor of Electronic Design Automation at the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology, Prof. Schlichtmann has long been active in university governance and institutional development.

Expressing gratitude following her election, Prof. Manfletti remarked: “I am deeply thankful to the members of the Senate for their confidence in me. Embracing change means evolving our institutions with vision and courage, ensuring TUM continues to be a guiding and enabling force for the future.”

TUM President Prof. Thomas Hofmann congratulated her on the appointment, stating: “Prof. Manfletti is a dynamic, visionary, and strategically minded scientist. I am confident that under her leadership, the Senate will play a key role in shaping TUM’s continued growth and future direction. I look forward to collaborating closely with her.”

The TUM Senate plays a vital role in shaping the university’s strategic orientation in research and teaching. It contributes to the creation and revision of academic programs, provides recommendations on faculty appointments, and determines key legal frameworks within the university. The Senate represents all university constituencies, including professors, academic and non-academic staff, and students.