Empowering Students with TUM4Health: A Digital Approach to University Well-Being

Navigating university life can be both exciting and overwhelming, particularly at a large institution like the Technical University of Munich (TUM). With the goal of fostering student well-being and success, TUM4Health was designed as a three-part initiative to address the challenges students face, from finding the right resources to making informed academic and personal decisions. This project combines technology, innovation, and a student-centered approach to create an integrated support system.

Project 1: A Centralized Information Platform

Being part of a large university can often feel isolating or overwhelming, especially when trying to navigate the vast number of resources and processes. The first project focused on creating a centralized platform where students can easily access everything they need, from administrative procedures to student support services.

Key Features

• Guided Navigation: Helps students find the exact resources they need without confusion.
• Structured Support: Breaks down complex processes into manageable steps.
• A Sense of Belonging: Reduces feelings of isolation by connecting students with the right communities and services.

By simplifying access to information, this platform ensures students feel supported throughout their university journey, fostering a sense of inclusion and empowerment.

Project 2: Connecting Studies with Career Paths

Choosing a field of study is one of the most important decisions for students, yet many struggle with this choice. The second project addresses this by offering a video-based platform where students can explore potential areas of study and their corresponding career opportunities.

Key Features

• Industry Insights: Videos showcasing various industries and the roles companies are looking to fill.
• Academic Previews: Introductions to different fields of study, providing a realistic sense of what the coursework entails.
• Early Networking Opportunities: Connections with companies in relevant fields to help students envision their future.

This platform aims to reduce the high dropout rates—currently around one-third of enrolled students—by helping them make informed, confident decisions about their studies.

Watch the first trailer (in German)

Project 3: An All-in-One App for Student Well-Being

The third and final part of TUM4Health is a mobile application that keeps students informed and engaged while ensuring their overall well-being.

Key Features

• Expert-Reviewed Information: Reliable, up-to-date health and wellness content.
• Event and Update Notifications: Alerts about upcoming events, deadlines, and important announcements.
• Essential Contacts: Quick access to healthcare providers, academic advisors, and emergency services.

By combining these features, the app creates a comprehensive and accessible tool that supports students in their daily lives, making it easier to stay informed, connected, and healthy.

My Contribution

As a core contributor to TUM4Health, I was responsible for:

• Designing All Tools: Ensuring a cohesive user experience across the centralized platform, career exploration tool, and mobile app.
• Developing the Mobile App: Leading the technical implementation, including UI/UX development and backend integration.
• Building Web Applications: Designing and deploying the web-based tools that complement the app, focusing on scalability and accessibility.
• Organized first video shoots: Coordinating with professors and students from other universities to create first engaging video content for the career exploration tool.
• Presented to Stakeholders: Communicating the project's vision, progress, and impact to other university stakeholders and potential partners, like Techniker Insurance.

Impact and Future Potential

Together, these three projects address key challenges faced by university students, providing tools to:

• Navigate university life more effectively.
• Make informed academic and career decisions.
• Stay connected and healthy through centralized digital resources.

The TUM4Health initiative sets a new standard for how universities can support their students, combining technology with a human-centered approach. Moving forward, the platform can expand to include AI-driven personalization, partnerships with more industries, and integration with other universities to create a global network of student support systems.

Through my work on this project, I had the privilege of contributing to a transformative effort that has the potential to enhance the academic and personal success of students for years to come.