On April 13, 2023, Centre for English Language Education at the University of Nottingham Ninbo China visited the UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (Shenzhen, China). In-depth discussions were held with departments including the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) and the Higher Education Digital Transformation Research Institute on collaborative development of digital teacher training resources for higher education.

The delegation from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) included Shayna Kozuch, Deputy Director of the Centre for English Language Education, Dougal Macbeth, Head of Professional Education and Training and English for Academic Purpose (EAP) instructor, ESP tutor Yuan Yuan, and senior manager of Business Development Office Yuqi Wang. The two parties conducted in-depth exchanges on higher education faculty training, collaborative curriculum development, and partnership network expansion. The UNNC team shared their established practices in the Cambridge International Teacher Professional Development Program, covering four key areas: teaching and learning methodologies, educational leadership, instruction for bilingual learners, and the application of digital technologies in education.

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) team proactively responded to IIOE's initiatives in digital teacher training courses and micro-credential resource development, proposing multiple potential collaboration approaches. These included adapting existing courses to align with IIOE's micro-credential standards, custom-developing thematic courses for specific needs, and participating in research on higher education's digital transformation capabilities. Regarding learning services and achievement certification, UNNC expressed endorsement for operational solutions based on the IIOE platform, including teaching management systems, localized capacity-building programs, and joint certification mechanisms.

In September 2022, the Centre for English Language Education (CELE) at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China had already developed an online course on "Technology-Enhanced Teaching and Learning" for the IIOE platform. This course received widespread acclaim from participants and served as the foundation for interactive group teaching activities designed to foster professional reflection and practice sharing among learners.

The Centre for English Language Education (CELE) at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) serves as the university's core English language teaching unit. Comprising over 120 experienced faculty members from 21 countries and regions worldwide, CELE delivers a comprehensive suite of knowledge exchange programs for external organizations, including summer schools, IELTS preparation courses, and teacher training initiatives.In December 2022, UNESCO International Centre for Higher Education Innovation (ICHEI, Shenzhen, China) and UNNC established a strategic partnership framework, agreeing to collaborate in key areas such as: course resource development for the International Institute of Online Education (IIOE) platform, global academic exchange programs, micro-credential certification system and so on.

The Innovation Centre is committed to empowering higher education professionals with future-ready digital competencies. Through collaborations with universities, corporations, and relevant institutions, it delivers high-quality courses and training resources to partner universities in developing countries. In this context, micro-credentials serve as a flexible certification mechanism for knowledge, skills, and competencies. Their content frameworks, learning functionalities, and quality assurance systems require both standardized references and localized implementation to ensure recognition and timeliness of learning outcomes. IIOE anticipates partnering with global stakeholders to co-develop digital teacher training programs, thereby benefiting more educators from developing countries through enhanced digital capabilities and career advancement initiatives.