New Thesis Management System

At a large university like the Technical University of Munich (TUM), the process of managing a thesis, from choosing a topic to grading, is complex. A high volume of email communication and the use of multiple tools can often lead to media discontinuities and a lack of transparency.

The new Thesis Management System streamlines this process, making it more efficient and transparent. The goal was to create a centralized, intuitive platform that provides both students and supervisors with a clear structure while saving time.

From topic selection to final evaluation: one platform for every step

The system supports the entire lifecycle of a thesis – from topic posting and student applications to supervision, evaluation, and scheduling. It complements the existing Koinon portal, which handles official registration and grading, by organizing all preparatory and accompanying steps around Koinon.

Key Features of the Thesis Management System:

• Topic Management: Departments can define topics with descriptions, tags, capacity limits, and assigned supervisors.
• Application Process: Students can browse available topics, submit their own proposals, and apply directly through the system.
• Supervisor Dashboard: A clear overview of applications, assignments, deadlines, and progress.
• Automated Communication: Email reminders and status updates – no need for manual follow-ups.
• Document Review: Provide and manage feedback on exposés directly within the system.
• Scheduling: Integrated organization of presentation dates, including invitations for relevant participants.
• Data Export: Easy transfer of data to Koinon via copy-paste.

Already in use – with positive feedback

Around 25 departments and research groups within CIT are currently using the platform with more than 150 active supervisors. Initial feedback has been overwhelmingly positive: users particularly appreciate the time savings and clear structure. While the platform is designed for university-wide use, it is currently being further developed within the CIT to enable even more flexibility for different groups.

The new Thesis Management System marks a major step towards a more digital, efficient, and fair thesis supervision process at TUM. It simplifies workflows, enhances transparency, and is already a valuable tool for many research groups – with the potential to become the standard across the university.