Munz embodies a hands-on approach: setting goals, taking action, and learning from measuring success. A willingness to experiment and an entrepreneurial spirit are just as crucial to her as a healthy culture of learning from mistakes. As Vice President for Research, she was involved, among other things, in the development of the HM research institutes. Munz sees one of HM’s central missions as contributing to Germany’s innovation and competitiveness. Universities must bring their knowledge to the economy and society—through research, continuing education, and dual degree programs, as well as through the training of skilled workers and the support of startups. In this way, her perspective ties directly into the work of the SCE: Only when entrepreneurial spirit and innovation take root early on at universities can they eventually have a tangible impact on the economy and society.
She succeeds Prof. Dr. Martin Leitner, who has shaped and strategically advanced Munich University of Applied Sciences as president since 2016. Under his presidency, HM established itself as Germany’s leading university for entrepreneurship. He also provided important impetus in the areas of digitalization and knowledge transfer, thereby strengthening the framework conditions for entrepreneurship and innovation at the university. For his ten-year tenure and his outstanding contributions, Leitner was honored with the “Pro Meritis” award by Minister of Science Markus Blume during the handover ceremony.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Martin Leitner for his trusting collaboration and his many years of dedication to HM as a startup-focused university. At the same time, we look forward to continuing on this path together with Sonja Munz, providing new entrepreneurial impetus, and further strengthening the entrepreneurial spirit at Munich University of Applied Sciences.
© Photo: Julia Bergmeister