HRH Princess Dana Firas, President of the National Society for the Preservation of Petra UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Heritage and president of the Association of the World Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS Jordan), recently endorsed the launch of the Bachelor's Program in Natural and Cultural Heritage at the German Jordanian University. The program is set to welcome its inaugural class in the first semester of the 2024/2025 academic year.
In her address titled "Community Participation: Education, Outreach and Awareness: The Petra National Trust Experience," Her Highness highlighted that the program is the first of its kind interdisciplinary approach to heritage education in Jordan, but also because of its application of rigorous academic disciplines to understand and preserve heritage coupled with much-needed practical experience. I look forward to learning about the enrollment in the program and interest expressed by incoming students.
Prof. Al-Halhouli added that the program will prepare graduates for leadership roles in tourism and non-governmental organizations, support the Sustainable Development Goals, and bolster Jordan’s identity and economy by protecting cultural and natural heritage and supporting sustainable development in these sectors.
The launch ceremony featured remarks from Prof. Haitham Al-Thawabieh, Dean of the School of Applied Humanities and Social Sciences, and Prof. Nizar Abu Jaber, Director of the Natural and Cultural Heritage Center. They discussed the program’s significance in training heritage specialists and the employment opportunities available to graduates in Jordan, the region, and Germany.
Additionally, a panel discussion titled "The Role of Education in the Preservation and Protection of Heritage" was held, with contributions from Dr. Fares Braizat, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners of the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority, and Dr. Fadi Belawi, Director General of the Department of Antiquities. Moderated by Prof. Reiner Finkeldy, Vice President for International Affairs, the session focused on the critical role of education in fostering heritage awareness, preparing future generations to protect cultural and natural resources, and addressing the challenges of conservation.