As the sole technology and natural sciences university in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz, the TU has acquired an impressive reputation since it was founded in 1970. The magazines Spiegel and Focus give it top rankings in a number of categories. In a national competition held in October 2009 it was given an award for “excellence in teaching” The university sports programme offers a number of athletic activities and attractive excursions. Concerts, exhibitions, theatres and cinemas provide cultural ambiance. And then there are numerous study groups, ranging from astronomy to stock exchange games, as well as a variety of festivities such as the summer ball or the fair sponsored by the General Students Committee (AStA) for first semester students.