Deputizing for the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Secretary General of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Mamoun Al-Dubai’, inaugurated the activities of the third international week of Yarmouk University, which was organized by the Department of International Relations and Projects. The three-day event witnessed extensive participation of international universities, academic institutions and organizations, and diplomatic missions and cultural attachés from various countries of the world.
Al-Dubai’ declared that the economic modernization will be implemented through eight economic factors, including the factor of leadership and creativity that includes higher education, vocational and technical education and training, research, development and innovation, and small and medium-sized companies and entrepreneurship. He also pointed out that approximately 68,000 graduates complete their university education annually at the national level and that graduates are an asset to Jordan, the region, and the world, stressing the importance of finding solutions for the increasing problem of unemployment. Al-Dubai’ also stressed the importance of e-learning and blended learning strategies at this stage to achieve the desired educational outcomes, highlighting the need to find adequate funding and provide strong and capable management of the quality of education.
The President of the University, Professor Islam Massad, welcomed the participants in the event, which provides a platform for partnerships, scientific and research cooperation, and an opportunity to open channels of communication, encourage dialogue, and exchange the experience between the various participating higher education institutions. He then pointed out that during the activities of the week, several topics will be discussed, such as equity and inclusion in the university, digital transformation in higher education, integrating sustainable development goals into higher education strategies, exchange of students and employees, innovation and employment, and promotion of vocational education and training. He also said that the University's strategic plans are derived from the royal visions of His Majesty King Abdullah II and that Jordan’s higher education requires to keep pace with the rapid technological developments to fulfill the demands and needs of the labor market. He then mentioned that Yarmouk University has developed several new academic programs at all levels, pointing to Yarmouk's interest in strengthening its partnerships and cooperation with various international universities with regard to implementing research projects and exchanging students and employees.
For her part, Margaret Spears, Deputy Director of the United States Agency for International Development in Jordan, USAID, delivered a speech during the opening ceremony, in which she affirmed the interest of the United States government represented by USAID to support Jordan through cooperating with the various institutions of the public and private sectors. She added that the program of preparing teachers before service, which is implemented by USAID in cooperation with four public universities (Yarmouk University, University of Jordan, Mutah University, and Hashemite University), is considered one of the most successful programs executed by the agency. Spears also expressed USAID's pride in implementing such a program, which aims at preparing teachers to enter the classroom and perform the tasks entrusted to them in an adequate manner.
However, during the activities of the week, the Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Science and Technology, Dr. Abdullah Al-Mousa, talked about "Biodiversity and Sustainable Development from an Economic Perspective", and Marjorie Cabrol, Director of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Irbid, talked about "Providing Education Opportunities for Refugees in Institutions of higher education".
The International Relations and Projects Department at Yarmouk University held an introductory session on the Erasmus + student exchange program funded by the European Union via Zoom app. Students’ questions and inquiries were answered and the conditions that must be met by the student to apply for the grant were clarified.
The Department of International Relations and Projects organized an introductory workshop on how to prepare and submit proposals for the Erasmus + program funded by the European Union, on Wednesday 5/1/2022, in the main hall of the Conferences and Seminars Building.
This workshop comes before the submission for the second phase of the Erasmus Plus program 2021-2027, where a committee from the faculties and centers was formed aiming at submitting project proposals to the said program.
The Director of the Department of International Relations and Projects, Dr. Mwaffaq Otoum presented on the second phase of the program, stressing the importance of participating in the submission to this program due to its significant impact on developing the skills and abilities of students and faculty members. Dr. Otoum explained that the Erasmus plus program has set specific objectives for the 2021-2027 period, namely: to promote learning mobility of individuals and groups, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organizations and policies in the field of education and training; to promote non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organizations and policies in the field of youth; and to promote learning mobility of sport staff, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organizations and sport policies.
He explained the mechanisms, conditions and criteria for writing applications and submitting proposals and also outlined that the new Erasmus + program focuses on inclusion, digital and green Erasmus+.
The workshop was attended by 50 faculty members from the nominated committee members.
The International Relations and Projects Directorate organized in cooperation with the Jordanian-American Committee for Educational Exchange "Fulbright" an introductory workshop via remote video communication technology, on the various grants offered by the program to Jordanians for the academic year 2023/2024.
In his welcoming speech, President Dr. Islam Massad stressed the importance of cultural exchange programs at the level of educational institutions in Jordan and at the national level. He added that Yarmouk University has sent and received many researchers and students during the life of the program, which extends in Jordan for more than a quarter of a century.
Mrs. Rana Anani and Mr. Nasr Malkawi, grants officers at the Jordan-US Committee for Educational Exchange, spoke about post-doctoral research and the FLTA program, which is a program for teachers who want to teach their mother tongue in the United States of America.
The workshop included the conditions and dates of application and best practices in applying for applications with high chances of being accepted. At the end of the workshop, the workshop organizers answered the questions of the participating students and researchers.
