The president of YU, Dr. Zeidan Kafafi, met a delegation from the Raden Fatah State Islamic University Palembang headed by its President, Dr. Muhammad Shirazi, where possible avenues of cooperation and the possibility of signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) were discussed.
Dr. Kafafi stressed the keenness of YU to cooperate with universities from around the globe to improve educational processes at YU and the quality of its graduates. Kafafi then reviewed the programs that YU offers for students and pointed to the possibility of signing a MOU with Raden Fatah in various fields including Arabic language, Islamic Studies, and Islamic Banks, in addition to staff exchange, receiving Raden Fatah's students to study at YU, holding joint conferences and conducting joint research.
For his turn, Shirazi praised the academic reputation that YU enjoys particularly in teaching Islamic studies. He further explained that Jordan enjoys a good reputation in teaching moderate Islam, which shows clearly in the speeches of His Majesty King Abdullah II in international platforms, and also shows in Amman Message that calls for clarifying to the modern world the true nature of Islam and the nature of true Islam.
The meeting was also attended by the Vice Presidents, deans of faculties and officials from both parties.
Under the Professional Empowerment program, developed by the American Smithsonian Institution, the US Embassy in Amman organized a training workshop at YU for Information Technology and Computer Science students on CV writing skills, and job interviews.
Heather Digardi, from the Department of Public Relations at the US Embassy in Amman stated that the workshop aimed at training the students to be able to market themselves in the job market, which opens new horizons to their professional careers.
For his part, the dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science, Dr. Samer Samara thanked the U.S. Embassy for conducting the workshop, which helps students develop their skills in job interviews and CV writing.
The opening of the workshop was attended by the Director of International Relations and Projects Department, Dr. Mwaffaq Otoom, and a number of officials from the Faculty and from the Embassy.
On behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, the Secretary General of the Ministry, Mr. Issa Gammoh sponsored the ceremony of YU receiving the Tourism Education Quality "TedQual" certification, which is recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The ceremony was organized by the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management in cooperation with the Tourism Project of Promoting the Economic Sustainability in Jordan funded by the United States Agency for International Development, in the presence of the president of the University.
In his speech, Gammoh congratulated the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management and YU for receiving the Tedqual certificate, which represents a great promise for the career future of the students in light of Jordan's severe need for highly qualified and trained human resources in tourism industry. The president pointed out that the University's visions are consistent with those of the Ministry, adding that tourism employment depends on the quality and human resources available to produce competitive graduates who meet the changing needs of the market.
Gammoh also stated that a significant growth in the tourism industry is expected in Jordan, and that they look forward to seeing more universities and colleges following YU in offering tourism education. He finally called on YU to proceed with the conclusion of the memorandum of understanding with the Ministry for the purpose of linking education in the fields of tourism and antiquities with educating the local community as well as disseminating the concepts of respect for cultural heritage in Jordan.
For his part, Dr. Kafafi expressed his happiness for the great achievement of the Faculty of tourism’s in receiving the TedQual, which is considered the world's highest degree for tourism education. He also expressed his pride of YU as the first Jordanian university to receive this prestigious award for a bachelor's degree in Tourism Management.
Dr. Kafafi also pointed that YU had applied for a grant from the US Agency for International Development to improve the quality of the Tourism program to meet the TedQual standards. To achieve that, many workshops were organized during the last three years to develop the knowledge and skills of the faculty members. At the end of his speech, the president thanked the support of the US Agency for International Development, Dean and faculty members of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management.
In his speech, Dr. Mohammed Al-Shunnaq, the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, spoke highly of the great achievement of the faculty, referring to the beginnings of the faculty in 2011 and how, ever since, it has had bilateral agreements with employers in the local market to provide students with training opportunities that help develop their personal and professional skills. He added that the faculty offers two programs: a BA in Tourism Management, and a MSc in Tourism, taught by qualified faculty staff. Al-Shunnaq finally thanked the president, and he thanked the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for their interconnected support. He also thanked the faculty members as well as the members of the local community.
At the end of the ceremony, which was attended by vice presidents, college deans, faculty members, and officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the University, Gammoh handed the Tedqual certificate to the president of the University.
The president of YU, Dr. Zeidan Kafafi met a delegation from Oman College of Management and Technology. The delegation consisted of Khamis Al-Khsaibi, Hanan Al-Badria, Noura Al-Baluchia and Lamia Al-Majenia, who came to YU to attend training courses in public relations, finance, supplies and services, and human resources. The meeting was attended by the Vice presidents, Dr. Anis Khassawneh and Dr. Fawwaz Abd Al-Haq, the Director of International Relations and Projects, and the Director of Public Relations and Media.
At the beginning of the meeting, Kafafi stated that YU is proud of their active partnership with Oman College. He added that YU will take all necessary measures to develop the academic and administrative processes at Oman College through the training courses they offer for their staff. Kafafi also noted that YU and Oman College will take necessary measures to develop Oman College, such as offering new majors and programs.
For their part, the delegation members thanked YU and praised their efforts to support Oman College academically and administratively. They also thanked YU employees who provided them with the knowledge they need in various fields.
The Department of Archaeology at the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology at YU arranged a visit for their students to the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) in Amman, and the ancient city of Jerash, under the supervision of Dr. Khaled Al-Bashaireh.
During the visit, the students listened to a brief about the ACOR by the Director of the center, Dr. Barbara Porter, in which she talked about the center, and the main services they offer, particularly, scholarships, in addition to the important excavations, surveys and projects they achieved. She thanked YU for the visit and for the opportunity they had to meet with the students and talk to them about their achievements, projects and studies.
For his part, Dr. Al-Bashaireh thanked the Center’s administration for their program and for the valuable information they provided for the students regarding the main programs, plans and objectives of the center that have direct contact to their field of study.
During the visit, the students visited the center's library, one of the largest libraries in Jordan concerned with archaeology, anthropology, maintenance and restoration. The students were informed about the different kinds of books, journals and references, and the way to access them. In their visit, the students were accompanied by Hayoumi Al-Ayoubi, Hala Al-Sakka and Razan Ahmed from the center.
The president of YU received the French ambassador, David Bertolotti, and discussed possible ways of academic and cultural cooperation between YU and French educational institutions.
At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Kafafi expressed the willingness of YU to enhance their academic relations with French universities such as the University of Lyon for the distinguished reputation it enjoys at the international level. He also invited the French embassy to cooperate with YU through exchange programs, conducting joint scientific projects, and providing training opportunities for the University's students and faculty staff.
Dr. Kafafi also pointed out that the Department of Modern Languages at YU is one of the leading departments to teach French language, referring to the possibility of establishing a French corner at Al Hussein bin Talal Library that offers books on French language, culture and civilization, to spread awareness among YU students who wish to pursue their studies in France.
Bertolotti, for his part, expressed the keenness of the French embassy to promote academic cooperation between YU and French universities in French Language, law, tourism and media. He also expressed their willingness to facilitate sending YU students to French universities via scholarships and stressed the importance of learning French by YU students because of the growing number of French companies that operate in Jordan, adding that such companies take good care of their members and send them to different parts of the world to learn about the experiences of professionals in their field of work.
During his visit, the French ambassador had a meeting with the faculty members and the students of the Department of Modern Languages, in which Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaissen, the head of the department, reviewed the department's visions and achievements and introduced the MA program that starts next semester.
The meeting was attended by the vice president of the University, deans of the Faculties of Arts, Tourism, and Media, Head of the Department of Modern Languages, the Director of the Department of International Relations and Projects, the Director of the Department of Public Relations and Media, and several officials from the embassy.
The vice president, Prof. Ahmad Al-Ajlouni, met a delegation from the Turkish Ahi Evran University represented by its vice President, Dr. Ahmet Gökbel, and the Director of the International Relations Office, Dr. Ehrman Akili. The two parties discussed ways of cooperation as well as the activation of the cooperation agreement.
Al-Ajlouni stressed the keenness of YU to enhance academic and research cooperation with various Turkish universities, which contributes to the exchange of expertise and, thus, the development of the teaching process as well as the quality of graduates. Al-Ajlouni also asserted that YU is ready to activate the agreement in terms of exchange of students and faculty members, conducting research, and holding conferences of mutual interest. He also added that YU is willing to receive students from Ahi Evran to study Arabic at the Languages Center at YU.
For his part, Dr. Gökbel praised the academic reputation that YU enjoys in Turkey and stressed on the continued cooperation between the two universities. He also stated that Ahi Evran is willing to send students to YU to learn Arabic at the Languages Center, which enjoys good reputation, pointing that they are looking forward to more cooperation in other fields such as Islamic studies.
Dr. Gokbil, then, gave a brief about Ahi Evran University, which was established in 2006, and the various majors and degrees it offers.
The meeting was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies at the university, Dr. Osama al-Faqir.
In collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Amman, the Faculty of Fine Arts, represented by the Department of Drama at YU organized a symposium on film and television production, as part of the Global Media Makers program. The symposium was opened in the presence of the Vice dean Dr. Wael Haddad, and the delegate of the American Embassy Kala Azar, with the participation of the international producers Sharon Hall and Todd Kessler.
The Head of the Department of Drama, Dr. Ghassan Haddad, welcomed the participants and thanked the cultural Affairs Office in the American Embassy for their continues cooperation with the Faculty of Fine Arts and their keenness to support the students of the University through involving them in cultural and art initiatives and programs.
In the symposium, Hall and Kessler discussed the duties of the television producer and presented the students with some advice about drama. Furthermore, a film made by the student Hiba Al-Nabilsi, entitled “Under the Sea" was displayed to the audience.
It is worth mentioning that Global Media Makers program works with countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey to enhance communication opportunities between visual story makers from around the world, including Jordan, and film professionals and experts from the United States of America.
In cooperation with the French Embassy in Amman, the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, and the Faculty of Arts at YU organized a workshop entitled: “Tour Guides: Occupational Standards and Professionalism.”
In his opening speech, the dean of the Faculty of Tourism, Dr. Mohammed Al-Shunnaq stressed the importance of tourism industry and the role of the tourist guide that connects the local community with the touristic site and tourists. Dr. Al-Shunnaq added that the tour guide presents the true cultural image of Jordan, and that, in turn, enhances the tourists’ confidence in Jordan and encourages them to visit the different touristic sites.
Al-Shunnaq said that the workshop is academic and focuses on exchanging ideas and experiences among scholars, tour guides and tourism professionals through the papers they present. At the end of his speech, Al-Shunnaq expressed his sincere thanks to the university administration and to the organizing committee of the workshop.
For his part, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Mohammad Bani Doomi, described the tourism sector as one of the most important sectors in Jordan, that promotes and supports the national economy. He stressed the importance of the tour guide and the importance of conducting research, which contributes to solving problems that face the tourism sector in Jordan.
Mr. Mohammed Al Hammad from the Jordan Tour Guides Association (JTGA) commended YU for their role in teaching tourism at the Faculty of Tourism by the distinguished faculty members. He also commended the role of the Department of Modern Languages that teaches French, which contributes in increasing the number of tourist guides who speak French, noting that the number of French-speaking tourist guides is 200 out of 1200 .
The workshop included a scientific session on various topics related to tourism as well as a roundtable, in which participants discussed the professional standards of the tourist guide, how to improve them, and how to improve the working conditions of tourist guides.
The preparation of scientific competencies in various fields of knowledge, and the production of innovative scientific research aims to serve society by providing exemplary education in an intellectually stimulating university environment.
