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Yarmouk University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Mousa Rababah, received at the University the European Union Ambassador to Jordan, His Excellency Mr. Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, and the accompanying delegation, who were visiting the University to meet students and visit some facilities.
At the beginning of the meeting, Rababah pointed out that the history of academic and research cooperation between Yarmouk and the European Union countries is full of scientific achievements, staff and student exchange, and many joint projects and scientific research. He stressed that Yarmouk, based on its vision and philosophy concerning the involvement in the various types of research, scientific, academic, and cultural cooperation with countries of the world, is interested in enhancing the quality of its educational system and graduates by providing opportunities for student and faculty exchange between Yarmouk and universities in European countries, especially through the Erasmus Plus Program.
In his turn, the Vice President of Yarmouk for Planning, Development, Scientific Research, and Quality Affairs, Professor Samer Samarah, confirmed that Yarmouk, in the context of its strategic plan concerning academic development and modernization, offers packages of a group of international languages, namely French, German, Spanish, Chinese, and Turkish, as an optional university requirement for graduation. He explained that such packages are expected to refine and develop the skills of graduates and help them obtain job opportunities that meet their ambitions, aspirations, and competencies.
Ambassador Chatzisavas pointed to the depth of the bilateral relations between Jordan and European Union countries, stressing the interest of the embassy in building bridges of cooperation with Jordan at the economic, cultural, academic, and political levels in a way that meets the ambitions and needs of both sides. He also stressed the importance of cooperation with a prestigious university like Yarmouk acknowledging its contribution to the success and prosperity of Jordanian youth who have proven their worth and excellence in several fields at the international level.
After this, Chatzisavas met with a group of Yarmouk students in the presence of the Dean of Al-Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology, Professor Muwafaq Al-Otoum. Chatzisavas praised the sincere interest of Jordanian universities, especially Yarmouk University, in benefitting from the long- and short-term grants provided by the European Erasmus Plus program. He then answered students’ questions and inquiries about the possibility of increasing the number of scholarships offered to Yarmouk students, the possibility of expanding their horizons to include a greater number of specializations, and the extent of the role of the European Union Embassy in this regard.
The Ambassador and his accompanying delegation also visited the Jordanian Heritage Museum at the Faculty of Archeology and Anthropology, where they were accompanied by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Mustafa Al-Naddaf. Then they visited the manufacturing laboratory at Al-Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology, where the delegation listened to a detailed explanation of the working mechanisms in the laboratory. After that, they visited the Faculty of Fine Arts, where the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Ali Rabieat, gave a brief summary of the establishment of the Faculty and the specializations it offers in various artistic fields.
Furthermore, the delegation visited the Office of the Royal Film Commission of Jordan in Al-Hussein Bin Talal Library at the university. They got welcomed by the library director, Professor Omar Al-Ghoul, and the commission’s advisor, Mukhles Al-Mufleh. Chatzisavas expressed his pride in the partnership between the European Union Embassy and the Royal Film Commission, acknowledging the support he received from Her Highness Princess Reem Ali and pointing out that the European Film Festival has been organized in Jordan for 35 years. He then mentioned that the cooperation between the Embassy and the Royal Film Commission aims at screening a number of distinguished films due to the importance of their topics, which contributes to spreading the culture of cinema among the various segments of society, including university students.
A delegation from the Libyan Academy for Postgraduate Studies, which included the Director of E-Learning Center, Dr. Omar Saleh Mahmoud, and the Director of Information Technology Department, Dr. Musa Khalifa Fanir, visited Yarmouk University, to discuss activating the terms of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two sides. During the meeting, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Mousa Rababah, confirmed that Yarmouk University is looking forward to activating the provisions of this memorandum in a way that achieves a qualitative addition and serves the scientific and research process of the two universities, pointing out that Yarmouk University is always keen to strengthen its network of relations with various Arab and international academic institutions and universities and build on such relationships to achieve its aspirations and goals. Regarding e-learning, Rababah pointed out that Yarmouk University has reached an advanced level in this aspect by adopting digital transformation strategies and integrating them into the policies and plans of the e-learning center and open educational resources.
In the same context, both Mahmoud and Fanir stressed the interest of the Libyan Academy in strengthening its relations with Yarmouk University because of the status and academic reputation it represents at the level of Jordanian and Arab universities. They explained that their visit comes to Yarmouk is to confirm the Libyan Academy’s keenness to activate the terms of the memorandum of understanding signed between both sides. They also pointed out the Libyan Academy's aspiration to benefit from the experience of Yarmouk University with regard to e-learning and distance education as well as joint supervision of research and university theses in a way that achieves positive scientific and research interaction for both universities.
On the sidelines of the visit, the delegation of the Libyan Academy for Postgraduate Studies visited the Center of E-Learning and Open Educational Resources, where they listened to an explanation from the Center’s director, Dr. Alaa Al-Makhzoumi, about the Center’s vision, mission, nature of work, and the role assigned to it with regard to the educational process.
A number of professors and students of Al-Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology at Yarmouk University participated in a group of training workshops organized by the German University of Bonn-Rhein-Zig, as part of the activities of the RL4Eng project to develop remote and virtual laboratories for teaching and training students of engineering faculties in higher education institutions in the southern Mediterranean and the Sub-Saharan regions.
The Dean of the Faculty - General Director of the Project, Dr. Muwafaq Al-Otoum, said that this project is supported by the European Erasmus Plus program and managed by Yarmouk University, and it involves the participation of 15 academic partners and companies from Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Tanzania, Germany, and Spain. He also explained that the project contributes to the process of digital transformation in higher education institutions by focusing on teaching practical laboratories in engineering faculties, indicating that the project is considered unique of its kind because there are no similar experiences in the participating countries from the Middle East, North and Central Africa.
Noteworthy is that the training sessions included introducing examples of practical engineering laboratories taught remotely at European partner universities, mechanisms for designing and developing these laboratories, and the methods of teaching and evaluating them. It also included practical training workshops for students and faculty members on the concepts included in the project.
During his meeting with the Iraqi cultural advisor, Dr. Khair al-Din al-Amin, at the University’s liaison office in Amman, the President of Yarmouk University, Professor Islam Massad, stated that the University has succeeded, during its nearly 47-year journey, in having its rightful position among other universities locally, regionally, and internationally by proving its noble merit, academic standing, and scientific presence. Acknowledging the efforts of its teaching and administrative staff, students, and graduates, Massad reviewed the establishment of Yarmouk, its development, and the multiplicity of its Faculties, programs, and scientific and research centers. He then pointed at the effective role of the University in terms of community service and constant communication with the different organizations and institutions as evident in implementing a number of activities and events that serve the community.
Moreover, Massad expressed the University’s interest in strengthening cultural and academic relations with Iraqi universities to achieve common goals and aspirations, confirming the University’s readiness to enroll Iraqi students in its various Faculties and programs. He also pointed out the decision of the University’s Board of Trustees regarding the treatment of students in international programs for the undergraduate level, as the Jordanian students in the parallel program. Massad then presented the new academic programs offered by Yarmouk at the beginning of the new academic year 2023-2024, stressing that the University has become a destination for many Arab and international students.
For his part, Al-Amin praised the great status of Yarmouk University and its diversity, multiplicity, and keeping pace with scientific and cognitive developments. He acknowledged the remarkable achievements of the University’s Faculties and academic programs and the interest of its professors in scientific research. Thus, he stressed the aspiration of the Iraqi Cultural Attaché to deepen the cooperation between Yarmouk University and Iraqi universities with regard to the exchange of students, professors, and researchers, scientific publishing, organizing scientific conferences, and discussing university theses, and joint academic programs.
The Vice President of Yarmouk University for Academic Affairs, Professor Mousa Rababah, discussed with a delegation from the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Amman, which included the head of the education department at the embassy, Magomed Gamzatov, and the director of the Russian Cultural Center in Amman, Alexei Bukin, ways of expanding the horizons of scientific and research cooperation between Yarmouk University and its Russian counterparts.
Rababah said, during the meeting, which was attended by Dr. Samer Samarah, Vice President of the University for Planning, Development, Scientific Research and Quality Affairs, that Yarmouk is looking forward to establishing qualitative relations with Russian academic institutions in a way that serves and achieves the University’s future aspirations. He explained: “this academic partnership may have many forms, such as exchanging students and professors, conducting scientific research, discussing university theses, and many others”. Rababah then pointed out that Yarmouk University was the first university in Jordan to include course packages for a number of foreign languages, such as French, Spanish, Turkish, German, and Chinese, in the study plans for undergraduate programs out of its belief in the necessity of qualifying students with skills that will open up additional opportunities for them. Moreover, Rababah revealed that Yarmouk, through its Language Center, intends to offer a summer program for the Arabic language for non-native speakers, stressing that the University welcomes any possible cooperation with the Russian embassy in this regard.
For his part, Gamzatov expressed the readiness of the educational department at the Russian embassy in Amman for constructive academic cooperation with Yarmouk University, indicating that the educational department at the Russian embassy is fully prepared to cooperate with the Faculty of Arts regarding preparing the “Russian corner”, which will include various books on the Russian literature and the modern educational curricula for the Russian language, in addition to computers and technological equipment that may help in learning the Russian language. In the same context, Bukin pointed out the desire of the Russian Cultural Center in Amman to cooperate and coordinate with Yarmouk University to organize a number of cultural activities and events, most notably the Russian Cultural Day, with the aim of introducing the University and the local community to Russian culture, customs, and traditions.
In cooperation with the Jordanian Handball Federation and the German Olympic Committee, the Faculty of Physical Education at Yarmouk University organized a training course for its students in handball at level D. The course, which included theoretical and practical aspects of training promising players in handball, was conducted by national coaches, namely Dr. Noman Udaybat and Captain Muhannad Al-Mansi, from the Jordanian Handball Federation. The Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Muhammad Khalaf Al-Dhiabat, said that this course comes within the context of the Faculty’s plan to strengthen its partnership with various federations and sports bodies, which reflects positively on its career and students by deepening their physical and training skills, increasing their experience, and qualifying them for the labor market. He explained that the course was held over three days on the University campus with the participation of faculty students and players from the local community and that it aimed at achieving the vision of Yarmouk University in serving the local community, communicating with people, empowering them, honing their skills, and qualifying them in a way that contributes to the development of the game. This target, he stated, is in harmony with the philosophy of the “Hand Union” in refining and developing young talents.
His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal, Chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), stressed the need for modern scientific discoveries, applications, and technologies to empower humans and improve their dignity. This came during His Highness’ patronage of the activities of the 10th season of the Petra School of Physics under the slogan “Quantum Computing: Theory and Applications,” which was organized by the Faculties of Science at the University of Jordan and Yarmouk University in cooperation with the Higher Council for Science and Technology and Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in the Italian city of Trieste.
His Highness stated that the purpose of hosting the School’s activities this year is to activate and stimulate the scientific research in Jordan, to create a broad forum in the Arab world for exchanging views on science and technology and their impact on development, and to emphasize the role of physics in the development process.
His Highness also stressed the importance of adopting analytical thinking, spreading the culture of science, creativity, leadership and innovation, and creating a base for absolute knowledge, noting the importance of partnership in knowledge and the exchange of experiences that would achieve sustainable development.
For his part, the President of the University of Jordan, Professor Nathir Obaidat, called on the universities, industries, and markets to formulate the organizational, educational, and commercial strategies to increase potentials and mitigate the negative impact of quantum computing on them. He then explained that the quantum computer is not just a device for analyzing codes, but a device that carries profound potential in the world of computation, indicating that the transformative power of quantum technologies motivates us to deal with them responsibly.
For his part, the President of Yarmouk University, Professor Islam Massad, stressed that to be a teacher and researcher in science, you must be a student who always searches for renewed knowledge, pointing out that “absolute truths are always relative for tomorrow”. He then stated that the Petra School of Physics, which is being held by the Universities of Jordan and Yarmouk, constitutes a well-established scientific demonstration and a distinguished scientific forum at the international and local levels. He also said that the School complies with the vision of Yarmouk University for leadership and excellence in the fields of education, scientific research, and community service.
Moreover, Dr. Hammam Ghaseeb, the honorary professor at the University of Jordan and the representative of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), said that quantum computing is developing tremendously and will play an important role in achieving development and its implications for various different sectors of work if it is understood well and harnessed to address the challenges and problems facing the development path.
The head of the School, Dr. Sami Al-Mahmoud, said that the quantum technology is a rapidly developing field and has the potential to cause a scientific revolution from computing and communications to medicine and security, from computation to communications and cryptography, precise sensing, and simulation. He added that the 10th season of the Petra School of Physics discusses the solutions that quantum computing can provide to a wide range of critical problems in the real world and the various technologies adopted to produce quantum computing devices and components.
It is noteworthy that the Petra School was established in 1980 under the patronage of His Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal after the visit of the Nobel Prize winner in Physics, Dr. Mohammad Abdel-Salam, to Jordan in 1979. Its first conference was launched in 1982 and was held for the purpose of introducing Jordanian and regional students, scientists, and engineers to the latest developments in modern science as the scientific team of physicists at the University of Jordan and Yarmouk University began their joint work and research since the launch of the first conference, which was sponsored by Abdus Salam International Center for Theoretical Physics.
Based on the vision of Yarmouk University and its strategic plan for attracting the largest possible number of students from various parts of the world to enroll in its multiple, qualitative and innovative programs and to keep pace with the spirit of the times and be in harmony with the needs of the labor market, the Board of Trustees of Yarmouk University, which was held on Thursday, 9/28/2023 , headed by Her Excellency Professor Ruwayda Al-Maaytah, decided to treat the new students of international programs for the bachelor’s level as the Jordanian students of the parallel program in terms of credit hour fees starting from the first semester of the academic year 2023/2024.
In this regard, the President of the University, Professor Islam Massad, said: “this decision stems from the vision of Yarmouk University and its philosophy based on updating its study plans and creating new programs that fulfill the ambitions of students who wish to acquire modern sciences and knowledge to engage in the labor market easily.” Massad added that Yarmouk University is keen to provide an educational and social environment that helps communication between students of different nationalities, highlighting that the University includes more than three thousand students from 48 countries around the world. He then said that Yarmouk seeks to provide the best possible service to international students by integrating them into the academic and social environment of the University, which is known by its quiet, safe, and distinguished geographical location.
The President of Yarmouk University, Professor Islam Massad, praised the efforts of the teaching and administrative staff and students in the various faculties and departments of the University on the occasion of obtaining the American international accreditation, ABET, by ten academic programs in the faculties of Al-Hijjawi for Engineering Technology, Information Technology and Computer Science, and Science. While honoring the deans of these faculties and the heads and members of the departments that offer the programs that have obtained this accreditation, Massad stressed the importance of this achievement as it reflects positively on the reputation and position of the University locally, regionally, and internationally. He also stated that this achievement embodies the teamwork and cooperation conducted by the cadre of these departments and faculties, acknowledging their perseverance and sincerity in serving the University as well as the whole country. He then praised the efforts of the students of these departments and their positive interaction with their professors and their participation in the evaluation processes during the accreditation’s official visits.
For their part, the deans, heads of departments, and professors indicated that obtaining this accreditation for their faculties and academic departments would advance the progress and aspirations of their departments, in addition to providing distinguished competencies and outputs that are scientifically and practically qualified to compete in the labor market efficiently and competently.
It is noteworthy that the programs that have obtained this accreditation are Computer Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Communications Engineering, Biomedical Systems Engineering, and Biomedical Informatics Engineering at Al-Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, and Business Information Technology at the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science, and the Statistics Program in the Faculty of Science. Also, it is noteworthy that this accreditation is considered one of the most reliable international accreditations in the fields of applied sciences, computers, engineering, and technology, and it is the most common accreditation in American universities and other countries across the world.
