Competence Center
Global Competence
Competence Center for Global Competence
Companies and public institutions are faced with a multitude of challenges as a result of globalisation and internationalisation, including cooperating in multicultural teams, negotiating with business partners abroad, expanding one's own business operations abroad, and collaborating across international borders.
The Competence Center for Global Competence is based on a research team from Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences and combines excellent research with practical consulting in the areas of diversity management, intercultural competence diagnostics, and migration and integration. In addition to conducting fundamental and practice-oriented research projects at the regional, national, and European levels, we collaborate with businesses and public authorities to optimize processes, reduce disadvantages and barriers, and harness synergies through diversity and interculturality. Furthermore, with the Cult Euro 1 Test, we offer the first validated and standardized test for intercultural competence.
Services
Global and intercultural competence are in demand as key qualifications in many areas. In this context, we individually develop together with you concrete solutions to problems for your company on a scientific basis, so that your staff is always well qualified for new challenges. Together, we can identify intercultural problems and develop the best solution for you.
All offers can be carried out directly at your premises. If you would like to receive detailed information about the possibilities of cooperation, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are looking forward to exchanging ideas with you.
Cult Euro 1 Test for Intercultural Competence
The Cult-Euro-1 Test is now available as a cutting-edge tool for personnel diagnostics. This thoroughly validated instrument provides an in-depth assessment of both general and Germany-specific intercultural competence among your employees. Leverage this test to make evidence-based HR decisions and design targeted development programs for your team.
For more information about the test, click here.
News
We are very pleased that we were able to host the Local Policy Workshop of the European Cooperation in Science & Technology (COST) on Wednesday, 7.5.2025, on the topic of “Age and Digitization in Work”. Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences is thus participating in the international project COST Action CA21107 DIGI-net: Inequalities at work in later life redefined by digitalization. The project is led by PhD Martina Ra?ticová (Mendel University in Brno) and Prof. Dr. Petia Genkova.
The aims of the workshop were and are to network local scientists, trade unions, employers, associations, politicians, etc. and to develop recommendations for improvements in the EU in the form of a policy brief based on the results.
We would like to thank the great speakers who enriched the event with their expertise, the participants who actively contributed their perspectives in discussions, informal exchanges and workshops, and Prof. Dr. Ingmar Ickerott, Vice President for Digitalization at Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences, who gave a warm welcome to all participants and contextualized the event and its significance within the university. The event concluded with a joint reception in Osnabrück's historic town hall hosted by the Mayor of Osnabrück, Uwe G?rtem?ller.
These speakers shared their expertise with the participants in presentations and workshops:
- Dr. Elisabeth Langmann (University of Augsburg, Ethics of Medicine): Ageism in the digital transformation: invisible barriers and structural exclusions
- Prof. Dr. Jürgen Deller & Mattea Wehage (Business Psychology, Institute for Management & Organization, Leuphana University of Lüneburg): Later Life Workplace Index (LLWI) and digitalization
- Katharina Mosene (Leibniz Institute for Media Research │ Hans Bredow Institute): Artificial intelligence, lifelong learning & critical thinking in the labor market
- Martin Kater (Zukunftszentrum Nord): AI in demographic change: opportunities, limits and success factors
- Lutz Stratmann (LL.M, former Minister, Demografieagentur für die Wirtschaft GmbH): Successfully exploiting the opportunities of digital transformation through future-proof corporate cultures
- Laura Gehring (Senior Consultant HR-Digitalization alliantis GmbH): Progress or frustration? - Thinking digitalization inclusively and across age groups
- Annika von Redwitz (Redwitz CONSULT, consultancy for diversity management): Fit for the digital future: needs and solutions for older employees
- Fredi Lang (Professional Association of German Psychologists): Change processes in the work context in the course of digitalization, experience, structure, application and action knowledge in the different generations and disciplines
- Prof. Dr. Ulrich Walwei (Institute for Employment Research): Older workers in demographic change: employment potential in international comparison
University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück Participates in the International Project COST Action CA21107 DIGI-net: Work Inequalities in Later Life Redefined by Digitalisation
University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück is part of the prestigious international network DIGI-net coordinated by Mendel University in Brno, which focuses on the impact of digitalisation on labour market inequalities in later life. European labour markets are undergoing a digital revolution – reshaped by information technology, robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation. However, significant differences in the level of digitalisation across Europe remain. At the same time, the share of workers aged 50+ staying in the workforce longer than before is increasing. How digitalisation affects older workers is still not clearly understood, which is why DIGI-net addresses this complex issue.
The main aim of the Action is to overcome critical gaps in conceptual innovation and to bridge the gap between academic research and policymaking, in order to better address work inequalities redefined by digitalisation.
The project brings together more than 400 researchers from 44 countries worldwide. It is led by Prof. Martina Ra?ticová from Mendel University in Brno (Action Chair) and Prof. Petia Genkova from the University of Applied Sciences Osnabrück (Action Vice Chair).
Key activities include organising at least three international events per year (including management committee meetings, training schools, and policy events), supporting short-term scientific missions, and awarding grants for independent research and conference participation. Outputs include scientific publications, policy briefs, and the preparation of two open-access monographs.
Research is conducted across five working groups focused on digitalisation and inequalities, organisational age culture, older workers’ health, policy development and implementation, and work with social, corporate, and news media. The initiative also features a Young Researchers and Innovators Forum and an Older Workers Reference Group.
More information is available on the project website: www.digineteu.eu
The Cult Euro 1 Test has been nominated for the prestigious 2025 Validation Award from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). This award recognizes projects within the "Validation of the Technological and Societal Innovation Potential of Scientific Research (VIP+)" program that excel in translating research results into impactful applications. In the recently published list of all nominated projects, interested readers can take a look at the impressive projects.
The fully digital test Cult Euro 1 enables a quick diagnosis of intercultural competence and provides companies, public authorities, and researchers with customized, scientifically sound results. The nomination – next to very important technical and medical projects – for the 2025 Validation Award highlights the innovative strength and societal value of this project.
Contact
- Scientific management
Prof. Dr. Petia Genkova
Room: CF 0313
Phone: 0541 969-3772
Mobile: 0179 9113951
E-Mail: p.genkova@hs-osnabrueck.de
- Postal address
Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences
Faculty of Economics and Social Sciences
Prof. Dr. Petia Genkova
PO Box 19 40
49009 Osnabrück