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.
programs
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 German Jordanian University Project Office
Fayiz Farhan Saleh Khouri, Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Meet & Greet
With
- The team of GJU Project Offices
- den GJU representatives
- den International offices 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: University Partnerships and Student Exchange & Figures
- GLC: GJU language concept
- Di-Tech: Corporate Partnerships in Jordan
- GJU Project Office: Student Support in Germany
- Deanship Student Affairs On the Work of the Deanship (in English)
1:00 p.m. - 1:40 p.m.
Lunchbreak
1:45 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
“The Year of Germany: Intercultural Challenges”
An empirical study of the intercultural challenges faced by GJU students in Germany
Speaker:
Waed Shakkouri, Doctor of Philosophy in Intercultural Communication at Technical University 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.
Speaker:
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 specialising in 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 7:00 p.m.
Joint Dinner
Tuesday, 17.06.2025
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Check-in (house 14)
09:00 a.m.- 10:15 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”
Speaker: Dr. Thelal Oweis, Assistant Professor at GJU
“Youth in Jordan: Economic, Political and Societal Challenges”
Speaker: Dr. Dorthe Siegmund, Associate Scholar at the Chair of International Politics and Conflict Research
→ Open to employees of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (registration required)
10:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Break
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 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)
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Panel discussion “Integration of students from the Arab region into the German labor market. prospects.”
With
Michael Lennertz, Industrial Partnership Coordinator at GJU
Mohammad Hasan, Project Manager at Deutsche Bahn & GJU alumnus
Rashad Barakeh, Chief of Logistics Officer at Smith & Smith GbR & GJU Alumnus
Representatives of the German-Arab Friendship Society e.V. (DAFG)
Official corporate partner of GJU Tba
13:00 - 14:30 o'clock
Lunchbreak
2:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
“Transnational Study Programs & Development of New Industrial Partner Networks — The Hydrogen Network of THWS & the GJU”
The transnational bachelor's degree program “Hydrogen Technology Engineering (transnational)” offered by THWS in Cooperation with the GJU provides students from the entire MENA region with comprehensive knowledge in the planning, construction and operation of hydrogen plants. A particular focus is on the transfer of knowledge into practice. Dr. Monica Heitz — Head of the International Projects Unit — will report on how to establish and expand a network with industrial partners and thus further strengthen the university's application focus.
Speaker:
Dr. Monica Heitz, Head of the International Projects Unit at THWS
Conclusion & outlook
Speakers from the GJU Project Office
CAMPUS MAP & DIRECTIONS
The program is subject to change.
