TUM Campus Heilbronn Management Expands with Appointment of Prof. Ali Sunyaev as Vice President

Sunyaev, a 43-year-old renowned business information scientist, studied at TUM, earned his doctorate, and was most recently a Professor of Computer Science at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). On 1 October, he took up the professorship for Information Infrastructures at the TUM School of Computation, Information, and Technology (CIT) and assumed the newly created position of Vice President. His research focuses on secure and decentralized information systems for critical infrastructures, including cloud applications, blockchain solutions, the protection of medical data, and trustworthy AI.

High expectations for the further development of the campus
President Prof. Thomas F. Hofmann said: “Prof. Ali Sunyaev brings outstanding qualifications to the position of Vice President TUM Campus Heilbronn. As a business informatics specialist, he ideally combines the disciplines of computer science and economics represented on campus. He will work together with the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology and the TUM School of Management to further promote their convergence at the Heilbronn site. To this end, he can draw on international experience in science, strategic ability, and excellent communication and management skills to further expand the success story of our TUM campus in Baden-Württemberg.”

Prof. Ali Sunyaev emphasized: “I see myself as a bridge between the two disciplines. My task is strategically developing the TUM Campus Heilbronn, further strengthening research and teaching, and cooperating with the regional economy. With the support of our partners, I want to firmly anchor the TUM Campus Heilbronn on the national and international academic and economic map. The ambition is high, and that is a good thing. Together with everyone involved, I am looking forward to tackling this unique opportunity and challenge.”

The TUM Campus Heilbronn
With its motto “For the Digital Age”, the TUM Campus Heilbronn has been dedicated to digital transformation, information engineering, corporate management, and the responsible design of systems, processes, and organizations, as well as the intergenerational sustainability of family businesses since 2018. Currently, 22 professors and around 200 employees work, research, and teach at the TUM Campus Heilbronn. More than 1,000 young people will be studying on-site in six degree programs at the TUM School of Management and the TUM School of Computation, Information, and Technology in the coming winter semester. The ultra-modern campus, generously funded by the Dieter Schwarz Foundation, and its excellence in research and teaching have become the driving force behind one of the most innovative regions in Germany.

Thanks to founding dean Helmut Krcmar
President Hofmann paid tribute to the outstanding commitment of Prof. Helmut Krcmar, business information scientist and TUM Emeritus of Excellence, who contributed significantly to the development of the campus as founding dean: “Without Helmut Krcmar, this campus would not exist in its current form. Thanks to his visionary foresight and passionate commitment, TUM was able to powerfully establish and expand the TUM Campus Heilbronn. The 46 students in the 2018/19 winter semester have now grown to over 1,000 for the coming semester – proof of Helmut Krcmar’s creative role. Many thanks on behalf of the entire university community!”

The academic career of Ali Sunyaev
2000 to 2005 – Studied computer science at TUM
2010 – Doctorate in Information Systems at the TUM
2010 – Junior Professor of Information Systems at the University of Cologne
2016 – Professor of Information Systems at the University of Kassel
2018 – Professor of Computer Science at KIT
1.10.2024 – Professor of Information Infrastructures at the TUM School of Computation, Information and Technology (CIT), secondary membership at the TUM School of Management, and head of the TUM Campus Heilbronn as Vice President