In the heart of China's ‘Silicon Valley’, lecturers from OTH Regensburg designed courses and set new trends with exciting ideas on the future of university teaching in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). At the same time, they took the opportunity to network internationally and deepen their professional exchange with colleagues from Shenzhen, but also from other parts of the world.
SZTU offered the approximately 50 guest lecturers from various countries a varied supporting programme: in addition to company visits, the programme included a crash course in Chinese calligraphy, insights into traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and a ‘Bavarian Cultural Night’. A diverse exchange that broadened not only horizons but also intercultural understanding.
OTH Regensburg and SZTU have been linked by a close university partnership since 2016. What began with initial teaching collaborations has now developed into a diverse and lively cooperation – from joint research projects to student exchanges.
A highlight of the partnership is the double degree programme launched in 2024 between the Faculty of Business and Management at OTH Regensburg and the Business School at SZTU. Each year, ten students from each university have the opportunity to study abroad for two years and earn two degrees at the end. Eight students from OTH Regensburg are currently studying at SZTU. The first seven students from SZTU will come to Regensburg in March 2026.
Teaching in a high-tech environment
At this year's International Week (20 to 27 September 2025), Prof. Dr. Sabine Jaritz (Faculty of Business and Management), Prof. Dr. Georgios Raptis (Faculty of Computer Science and Mathematics) and Prof. Dr. Thomas Fuhrmann (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology) taught courses.
The Regensburg lecturers designed intensive courses with a total of 16 hours of lectures, which also earned SZTU students credit points. Prof. Jaritz, for example, taught the topic ‘Managing Projects in the AI Age: Tools for the Next Generation’ – a practice-oriented introduction to project management in the age of artificial intelligence.
‘The students were incredibly interested and open-minded,’ reports Jaritz. ‘The interactive format with discussions and exercises was particularly well received. In addition to technical content, I also wanted to provide insights into German culture and student life – which made many of them curious.’
Prof. Dr. Fuhrmann was also impressed by the atmosphere at SZTU:
‘We were given a very warm welcome, and as always, International Week was very well organised. The Chinese students were very interested in the lecture on AI and engaged in particularly intense discussions on topics related to AI and working life.’
Prof. Dr. Raptis emphasised the unique combination of in-depth content and cultural exchange:
‘During International Week, our partner university SZTU offered a perfect blend of teaching on the particularly innovative and topical subject of artificial intelligence and an intercultural supporting programme.’
Keynote speech on the future of university teaching: ‘AI on Campus’
A particular highlight was Prof. Jaritz's keynote speech at the concluding International Forum, which traditionally marks the end of International Week. Entitled ‘AI on Campus: A New Era for Universities? A Personal Perspective,’ the lecture focused on the opportunities and challenges that AI brings to universities. Prof. Jaritz highlighted four key perspectives in the field of teaching: AI as a learning aid, AI in examinations, AI as a subject of teaching, and AI as a support for teachers.
The professor advocated for greater promotion of critical thinking skills, especially at a time when AI-generated content, fake news and deepfakes are increasingly shaping the information landscape.
‘When machines generate content, the ability to question and classify becomes a key skill,’ said Jaritz. One specific example that attracted particular attention in the discussion was ‘cognitive offloading’ – the transfer of cognitive tasks to digital systems: ‘If AirPods are able to translate simultaneously in the future, what does that mean for language learning – and thus for access to other cultures?’
Fascinating impressions from China's high-tech metropolis
Shenzhen is considered the ‘Silicon Valley’ of China, home to numerous high-tech companies in the fields of information and communication technology, automotive engineering and mechanical engineering. Prof. Jaritz was particularly impressed by the many autonomous taxis that not only drive through the city but also across the campus and can be ordered via an app.
