Abstract:

Globalization is also driving worldwide networking in the transfer of knowledge and skills. New information and communication technologies are significantly accelerating this development and leading to economies of scale. Digital platforms act as technological enablers, connecting any number of sources and sinks of information and knowledge transfer as a basis for the development of skills and competences.

In this context, international networks are being digitalized, made smarter and drastically expanded in terms of the number of network partners, student and teacher exchanges, the variety of study content and programs, and finally, the quantity and quality of knowledge and competence transfers. In principle, these technological enablers can be used to connect any stakeholders and participants in the transfer of knowledge and expertise in education in general and in higher education in particular.

This article uses the German-Chinese cooperation initiatives YiQi and CDHAW and similar collaborations to explain how digital platforms can promote networking and the transfer of international expertise. Based on the triple helix model, the platforms connect stakeholders from science, industry and society in Germany and China and provide a space for dialogue, events and knowledge exchange, which in turn has a positive effect on network development.

YiQi is a special network of partners from education, research and industry as part of a federal program initiative that was set up specifically for competence development and transfer in cooperation between China and Germany and uses new technologies for the application and dissemination of these. It is directly related to one of the largest areas of application in university network cooperation between two countries in China, the Chinese-German University of Applied Sciences (CDHAW), and promotes the further development of collaboration in this regard.

Three key functions were highlighted: facilitating cross-border networking, supporting knowledge and skills transfer, and using technology to facilitate collaboration. The results show that such technology-supported networks not only strengthen visibility and trust between stakeholders but also create sustainable structures for diverse organizational developments and profile building, as well as joint projects and products in education and research.

By analyzing this case, the paper contributes to understanding how technology-enabled solutions can support global competencies, reduce barriers to intercultural cooperation, and offer scalable models for international collaboration in research and practice. The connection between strategic-conceptual and concrete development achievements and results is explained using examples.

Keywords:

Technology-Enabled, Networking, International Competence Transfer, German-Chinese cooperation.