The role of knowledge transfer at non-state universities – the example of Germany

The German higher education system has undergone considerable structural change in recent years. The previously small group of non-state universities has grown significantly. Over a third of all Higher Education Institutions in Germany are now private or church-run, and the number of students enrolled in these institutions has increased more than tenfold in less than 20 years. Meanwhile, universities are increasingly expected to contribute actively to social development beyond pure teaching and research, largely through knowledge transfer with societal actors. While numerous studies have examined knowledge transfer at public universities, the role of non-state universities remains largely unexplored. Based on a survey of non-state university directors and a cluster analysis of the results, this article analyses the knowledge transfer profiles of non-state universities in Germany and their role in regional innovation ecosystems. The findings show that non-state universities not only complement the German higher education system with specialised courses, but also with distinct forms of knowledge transfer. Overall, knowledge transfer has strategic relevance for these universities. Most focus on teaching-related transfer mechanisms such as continuing education and personal transfer, while research-based transfer is less nuanced.