YiQi in Sevilla – Discussing User-Centered Design in an International Exchange

The YiQi project was represented this year at ICERI2025 – International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation in Seville with a project presentation. Annika Feldhoff, project staff member at the Chair of Work Science and Innovation Management (aw&I) at Chemnitz University of Technology, presented the project’s conceptual approaches and results to an international audience.

In the contribution “Let’s Talk About China: Concept for the User-Centered Design of Teaching and Learning Modules for Developing Intercultural China Competence in Heterogeneous Groups,” the project’s process model for user-centered development was introduced. It illustrates how the needs of different target groups are systematically analyzed in order to develop tailored teaching and learning modules that support the development of intercultural China competence.

The subsequent exchange with participants from different countries and academic backgrounds provided valuable impulses for the project’s further development. The feedback highlighted that user-centered design and learner-oriented educational formats are gaining significant importance internationally, and that the YiQi project’s approach resonates broadly.

The 18th ICERI, held under the theme “Transforming education, transforming lives,” offered an excellent framework to place the project’s work in a global academic context and engage in international dialogue with more than 860 participants from 82 countries, bringing diverse perspectives from research, practice, and international collaboration.

Particularly enriching were the inspiring keynote speeches by
🎤 C. Edward Watson (AAC&U, USA) – Embracing AI as Essential Learning: Preparing Students for Life Beyond College
🎤 Amy Smith (MIT, USA) – Is Human-Centered Design becoming less Human?

The diversity of perspectives, the international audience, and the constructive discussions provided valuable input for the ongoing development of the project. The impressions gained from Seville also contributed to a very positive conference experience.