The German Jordanian University (GJU), through the School of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology (SEEIT), participated in a data literacy workshop held at the Dead Sea from Monday, Nov. 13 to Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. This workshop was part of the "Bringing Data Literacy to Jordan" (BDL2JO) project, funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) from April to December 2023 (Ta'ziz Short-Term Measures 2023), and coordinated by Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena (EAH Jena).
The workshop saw participation from several academics representing five German partner universities, namely: Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena, Brandenburg University of Technology, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences, Fulda University of Applied Sciences, and Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences. Additionally, seven Jordanian universities took part, including GJU, University of Jordan (UJ), Yarmouk University (YU), Hashemite University (HU), Tafila Technical University (TTU), Princess Sumaya University of Science and Technology (PSUT), and Zarqa University.
The workshop also featured industry speakers who shared their insights on the significance of data literacy. Among the speakers were: Eng. Yara Al-Rahahleh, a GJU graduate currently working at PwC Middle East; Mr. Nart Dahjoka, head of Program Development and International Relations at the Information and Research Center, King Hussein Foundation; and Ms. Dania Almousa, Project Coordinator at the Arab Woman Organization of Jordan.
During the first two days of the workshop, led by Prof. Dr. Christina Class and Ms. Lisa Hopf, a series of talks and activities were held, aiming to raise awareness of data literacy and propose mechanisms for integrating data literacy competencies into the curricula of Jordanian universities. On the last day, a dissemination event was held to introduce a framework for incorporating data literacy concepts into academic curricula, using a mechanism called "data literacy injection" within a 15-minute time frame. The event was launched in the presence of Prof. Dr. Reiner Finkeldey, GJU Vice President for International Affairs, and Ms. Nadine Tatge, Taziz Program Officer at DAAD.
The GJU team that attended the workshop included Dr. Abdullah Alfarrarjeh, Dr. Amani Abu Jabal, Mrs. Eman Asenwar, and Mr. Charles Masharfeh.