Note:
Registration for the Germany Meeting is now only possible for employees of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences for selected program items (see notes in the program).
The Germany Meeting takes place every two years and serves to intensify cooperation between Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, as the sponsor of the project, the German Jordanian University and the German partner universities (in particular the Career Services & International Offices).
The event is managed by our project office at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, which manages the funding and coordinates the network of over 100 university partners, around 1,700 industrial collaborations and the support of GJU students during the German Year.
At the meeting of Germany, we mainly want to strengthen and expand our cooperation and exchange ideas about current challenges together. To this end, we attach great importance to developing joint strategies with regard to the German dimension and, in this context, to the integration of international students into university life and into the labor market.
Let us live internationality together! To this end, we — the project office of the German Jordanian University — cordially invite you to Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences.
An event organized by the GJU Project Office of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences.
Program
Monday, 16.06.2025
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Check-in (house 14)
09:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Greetings & 20 years of GJU
Professor Manuela Schwartz, Rector of Magdeburg-Stendal University & Project Management of the GJU Project Office
Meet & Greet
with
- the team of GJU project offices
- den GJU representatives
- den Representatives of GJU's partner universities
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
break
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
World Café for the German Year
Coffee Tables
- IAD: Partnerships and Mobilities
- GLC: Current developments at GLC
- Di-Tech: Cooperation with German companies in Jordan and from the region
- GJU Project Office: Current challenges in Student Support in Germany
- Deanship Student Affairs on the work of the Deanship (in English)
- GJU Alumni e.V.: Former Students' Perspectives on the German Year
01:00 p.m. - 01:40 p.m.
Lunchbreak
1:40 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Greetings
Stefan Bienefeld, Head of the Development Cooperation and Supraregional Programmes Group at DAAD
“The German Year: Intercultural Challenges”
The presentation presents the results of a study that deals with the challenges that GJU students face during their German year — despite the three-year preparation program. Through a triangulation of surveys at German partner universities, interviews with returnees and the analysis of existing preparatory materials, intercultural, institutional and organizational problem areas could be identified. Based on these findings, recommendations were presented to improve the existing preparation program in order to sustainably improve the preparation and study experience of GJU students in Germany.
Speaker:
Waed Shakkouri, Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Communication at Technische Universität Berlin & Lecturer at GJU
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Group photo & break express
3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
“Racism, Resilience and Counseling: Focus on the Mental Health of Muslim Students”
The presentation highlights the mental health of Muslim students in the context of anti-Muslim racism. From a scientific perspective and practical consulting experience, we address how experiences of racism influence mental health, what particular challenges Muslims read students experience in everyday university life and what racism and culturally sensitive counseling can look like. The aim is to raise awareness of structural hurdles and to identify options for action in consulting practice.
Speakers:
Talha Topcu, PhD Candidate and Research Assistant at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences; Psychotherapist in Training | Branch Lead “Global Mental Health” at Stanford MMHL & Visiting Researcher, UKE
Sema Akbunar, Psychotherapist with focus on racism and culturally sensitive psychotherapy, supervisor and lecturer
→ Open to employees of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (registration required)
5:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
cultural program
from 19:00
Joint dinner
Tuesday, 17.06.2025
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Check-in (house 14)
09:00 a.m. - 10:20 a.m.
Greeting
Speaker:
Professor Susanne Borkowski, Vice Rector for Studies, Teaching and International Affairs at Magdeburg-Stendal University
Workshops running in parallel:
“The Jordanian education system and the GJU”
(in English language)
This workshop provides an overview of the Jordanian education system, from schooling to higher education access, with a focus on the transition to higher education. He explores the unique positioning of the German Jordanian University (GJU), the reasons why students choose GJU, and the cultural and family influences that influence their academic choices. The event includes a comparative discussion between the Jordanian and German education systems and aims to provide employees of the International Offices with insights that enable GJU students to be better supervised during their stay in Germany. The participation of GJU alumni can enrich the event with first-hand experience.
Speakers:
Dr. Thelal Oweis, Assistant Professor at GJU
Qusai Tawfiq Masharqa, GJU alumnus
“Youth in Jordan: economic, political and societal challenges”
Youth in Jordan — Opportunities and Challenges
Jordan is a country with a complex social structure. Around 65 percent of Jordanians are under 30 years of age. Young people in particular are confronted with numerous political, social and economic challenges. Together, we will address the questions: What is important to young Jordanians, what do they want for the future? What are their development opportunities, what problems determine their everyday lives and what social and political contribution can they make?
The presentation, which includes opportunities for discussion and participation by participants, aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the different life situations of young people in Jordan.
Speaker:
Dr. Dorthe Siegmund, Associate Scientist at the Chair of International Politics and Conflict Research at the Bundeswehr University in Munich. From 2021 to 2024, she headed the office of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Palestine and Jordan based in Ramallah.
→ Open to employees of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (registration required)
10:20 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.
break
10:50 a.m. - 11:50 a.m.
Securing skilled workers in the company with international university graduates
International students who have come to Germany from abroad (EU and third countries) to study are great potential for securing skilled workers in the company. Especially with regard to STEM jobs, this group already plays an important role for German companies today. However, far too many of them are still turning their backs on Germany after studying: According to the Central Register of Foreigners, only a good third of them still live in Germany after ten years — thus losing important potential for the local labor market. Against this background, the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) has formulated an internal working and idea paper. This includes numerous suggestions for integrating international students and university graduates into the German labor market at an early stage and thus giving them better prospects of staying — and at the same time making even better use of the skilled labor potential of this special group of people for the German economy. Julia Flasdick presents the most important points of the idea paper and discusses them with the participants.
Speaker:
Julia Flasdick, Head of Department for Higher Education Policy, Research and Structural Issues of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce
→ Open to employees of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (registration required)
11:50 a.m. - 12:50 p.m.
Panel discussion “Between universities and the labour market — prospects for students from the Arab region starting their careers in Germany”
with
Michael Lennertz, Industrial Partnership Coordinator at GJU
Mohammad Hasan, Project Engineer at Deutsche Bahn InfraGo & GJU alumnus
Rashad Barakeh, Chief Logistics Officer at Smith & Smith GbR & GJU Alumnus
Moritz Enders, Fintiba GmbH (official corporate partner of GJU)
moderation
Anne-Kathrin Lerke as presenter, team leader of the International Office of Magdeburg-Stendal University
12:50 p.m.- 1:10 p.m.
graduation
Professor Manuela Schwartz, Rector of Magdeburg-Stendal University & Project Management of the German Jordanian University Project Office
Fayiz Farhan Saleh Khouri, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in Germany
1:15 p.m.- 2:30 p.m.
Lunchbreak
2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Exchange on strategic partnerships
Open to anyone interested
CAMPUS MAP & DIRECTIONS
The program is subject to change.
