The President of the German Jordanian University (GJU), Prof .Ala'aldeen Al-Halhouli, met with the Secretary-General of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in Germany, Dr. Kai Sicks, and the accompanying delegation from the DAAD headquarters and the DAAD office in Amman, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations in academic and research fields, as well as DAAD-supported projects.
The meeting, which was attended by GJU Vice Prof. Malek Alsharairi and Vice President for International Affairs Prof. Reiner Finkeldey, covered various aspects of academic cooperation and student exchange between the university and DAAD. Special emphasis was placed on the achievements of past years, which have enabled Jordanian students to benefit from educational opportunities in both Jordan and Germany, as well as supporting German researchers in collaborating with Jordanian academic institutions. Additionally, the meeting explored mechanisms to enhance joint programs across various disciplines and expand opportunities for student and research exchange, enriching the academic and research experiences of both students and faculty members.
During the visit, Professor Al-Halhouli praised DAAD’s support for GJU’s mission, which has deepened the university’s German dimension, becoming an integral part of its academic identity. This has contributed to the university’s progress and development, establishing it as a distinguished educational institution that bridges Germany and Jordan, fostering cultural understanding. He also commended DAAD's role in promoting academic and cultural exchange between the two countries, affirming the university’s commitment to strengthening this effective partnership, which contributes to advancing the educational process and preparing qualified graduates to meet the needs of both local and international labor markets.
Dr. Kai Sicks expressed his pleasure with the fruitful cooperation with GJU, highlighting DAAD’s commitment to expanding the scope of collaboration and enhancing academic relations that address common challenges between Jordan and Germany. He further noted that the university’s key statistics—over 4,500 students, 20 academic programs, 750 international exchanges annually, and a mandatory study year in Germany for each student—are a testament to its success. Since 2005, the binational university has made significant contributions to cultural understanding between the Arab world and Europe, standing as an exemplary model of cooperation between Germany and Jordan in the field of higher education.
At DAAD, we support this work by providing scholarships for the mandatory year abroad in Germany, among many other initiatives. Over the past few days, I have witnessed firsthand how this support is translated into reality.
Dr. Sicks emphasized that GJU is a vital partner for DAAD and German universities, as we work together to identify common challenges and explore synergies across various disciplines. A prime example of this collaboration was our visit to a GJU research project in the Jordan Valley focused on water desalination and biomass production.
He also expressed pride in the ongoing collaboration with GJU and other partners in advancing the EduSyria program, funded by the European Union. Entering its fourth phase, this initiative will continue to provide scholarships to Syrian refugees and underprivileged Jordanian students over the next four years.
In conclusion, Dr. Sicks extended his gratitude to GJU President Professor Ala'aldeen Al-Halhouli, as well as the dedicated staff and students, for their warm hospitality and the enriching interactions experienced during the visit.
The two parties agreed to continue coordinating efforts and working on new projects that will further develop academic cooperation between the German Jordanian University and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
During the visit, the delegation also toured GJU's brackish water desalination project in the Karama area, where the project coordinator, Dr. Madher Al-Bdour, provided a briefing on its objectives and research outcomes. The delegation also visited the university's campus in Jabal Amman and the Deanship of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship (DI-TECH) , in addition to meeting with a group of GJU students.