Chinakator

Successful Kick-Off Event: CHINAKATOR - German-Chinese Innovation Partnership

The Chair of Innovation and Technology Management (iTM) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i) and the City of Baden-Baden invited to join the discussion on December 1, 2020.

Whoever wants to play in the global competition must be innovative. In doing so, it is important to establish cooperations, use synergies and benefit equally as partners. China has amazed the world with its breathtaking economic development. Today, China is an indispensable cooperation partner, but also a competitor for technological leadership. Despite all the differences, one question is equally important for both sides: How does the new get into the world?

And how can decision-makers strategically align their actions to promote innovation, progress and prosperity?

Together, this often works better. To achieve this, we need to build, shape and maintain bilateral economic and political relations. However, differences in the political and economic system mean that we have to emphasize our own norms and values. Reciprocity and trust can help to master this balancing act and to find "strategic gaps" for sustainable bilateral cooperation. For this reason, the Chair of Innovation and Technology Management (iTM) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i) have launched the China Information and Workshop Format "CHINAKATOR" - German-Chinese Innovation Partnership and held it virtually for the first time on December 1, 2020 in the TechnologieRegion Karlsruhe.

The host, Prof. Dr. Marion A. Weissenberger-Eibl, holder of the Chair of Innovation and Technology Management (iTM) at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and Director of the Fraunhofer ISI, together with Ms. Nina Lehfer, Head of China at Baden-Württemberg International (bw-i) in Stuttgart and Ms. Margret Mergen, Mayor of the City of Baden-Baden, invited to the first CHINAKATOR kick-off event. Following impulse and expert presentations on the topic of innovation and China, representatives from administration, business and science discussed possible further steps for the strategic positioning of the TechnologieRegion Karlsruhe vis-à-vis and with China. The outcome was positive: the CHINAKATOR methodology is to be implemented in concrete projects together with companies for the benefit of market development in China. In addition, opportunities and risks of a cooperation with China on a regional level are to be discussed by an extended group of actors in the TRK.

For more information please contact Giulia Merker, giulia.merker∂partner.kit.edu.