University of Jordan News- Zakaria Al-Ghoul - Under the patronage of the Minister of Education, Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Azmi Mahafza, the Scientific and Cultural Association of University Professors at the University of Jordan today organized a specialized symposium on the reality and future of vocational and technical education in Jordan.
The symposium focused on the importance of the actual shift towards technical and vocational education, in the presence of the Minister of Government Communications, Dr. Muhannad Mobaideen, and the Chair of the Education Committee in the Senate, Dr. Mahasen Al-Jagoub.
During the symposium, the President of the University of Jordan, Dr. Nathir Obeidat, gave a briefing on the most prominent challenges of university education represented by the significant change in labor market requirements and the structural change in the demand for skills and training, which deepens a state of uncertainty regarding the stability of what was believed to change, which led to weak employment and an increase in The unemployment.
Obeidat stressed in his intervention that the need to expand training to develop personal capabilities, in conjunction with specialized skills, has become a necessity and a requirement.
Regarding technical education, Obeidat pointed out that there is confusion and lack of clarity in the definitions of technical and vocational education, but it is certain that vocational and technical education must become part of the educational structure in the Kingdom.
Obeidat stressed that universities are now required to prepare their graduates for the labor market, by providing the graduate with personal skills, which include soft skills, sufficient technical skills, as well as the formation of skills related to specialization. The employer is no longer willing to bear the burden of training and engaging the employee in the labor market.
In order to narrow the gap between academia and labor market requirements, Obeidat said that the University of Jordan has taken historic decisions that will be implemented starting next academic year, represented by adopting the teaching of (9) credit hours for English language skills, and (6) credit hours for the Arabic language taught in a manner similar to Largely in English, and (9) credit hours, (3) of which are for digital skills, and (6) hours for soft skills, in cooperation with international educational institutions, in addition to (9) credit hours or a program that lasts for (4) weeks. In the final year, the student devotes his full time to it. It is a program between two courses, and is given intensively, and taught in cooperation with experts from the public and private sectors.
For his part, the President of Al-Hussein Technical University, Dr. Ismail Al-Hinti, said that the courses offered by the university are characterized by their compatibility with developments and requirements of the real labor market and contain non-traditional study courses concerned with empowering students with skills and competencies, in light of technical acceleration, and these are opportunities that we must benefit from and the necessity of keeping up with them, pointing out The employment rate for graduates of the first batch of the university reached 97 percent.
Al-Hinti pointed out that the university was established as one of the initiatives of the Crown Prince Foundation, and aims to develop a distinctive technical education model in Jordan, in addition to supplying the local and regional labor market with trained and qualified youth in the fields of engineering, technical computer science, and information technology. In its educational process, it relies on focusing on Practical application of all its theoretical courses in its engineering workshops and modern scientific laboratories, which were built in partnership with the industry and business sectors.
In turn, Dr. Abdullah Abdullah, Director of the Higher Education for Innovation and Growth Project at the United States Agency for International Development, stressed the necessity of developing updated and advanced curricula, providing training and higher education opportunities for students, researchers, and teachers, and promoting scientific research and technical innovation in educational institutions, in addition to building partnerships,with the private sector and civil society to support and develop higher education.
He said that the Higher Education for Innovation and Growth Project at the United States Agency for International Development is an initiative that aims to support and enhance higher education in developing countries by providing financial and technical support and training to universities and educational institutions in these countries.
He pointed out that this project aims to enhance human, technical and scientific capabilities in developing countries by providing education, training and research opportunities in various fields, which contributes to enhancing innovation and economic growth in those countries.
In a comment provided by the Governor, he revealed the government's intention to restructure the Ministries of Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research and merge them into one ministry (the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development), and to transfer tasks related to education from other parties to the Ministry, to unify the authorities responsible for setting educational policies.
Governor stressed that the Jordanian education sector, both general and higher, receives royal attention and care, considering education a national priority, and its development is an essential pillar for comprehensive reform in all vital sectors.
He added that the Ministry has developed a new study plan for the secondary stage in the “academic and vocational" tracks, and developed the high school exam so that it is held over two years, while aligning the outcomes of vocational and technical education and training with the requirements of the labor market.
He explained that the education sector's most important priorities include training and qualifying teachers and educational leaders, and developing vocational and technical education, curricula, structure, and communications.
For her part, Al-Jagoub said that technical and vocational education is of great importance in Jordan, is a major driver, plays a vital role in developing the national economy, and contributes to creating job opportunities and social stability.
She stressed that the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Highness Crown Prince Hussein always focus on the importance of investing in technical and vocational education, improving its quality, and raising the level of education in Jordan in general, in line with the vision of economic modernization.
She stressed the need to provide the necessary support to educational institutions in the Kingdom, and to build partnerships with the public and private sectors, especially with vocational and technical education institutions.