Almond trees for the anniversary of the GJU

The 20th anniversary year of the German Jordanian University (GJU) culminated in a grand graduation ceremony on the campus in Amman on November 16, 2025. Under the motto “Two nations, one vision: 20 years of innovation at GJU”, the German Jordanian University And the Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences (h2) working together on two decades of transnational education, innovation and active German-Jordanian cooperation — and moving forward full of motivation.

Rector Prof. Dr. Manuela Schwartz (Project Manager GJU Project Office), Chancellor Nora Küster-Dammaschke, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Susanne Borkowski, Vice Rector Prof. Dr. Kerstin Baumgarten and Coordinator of the GJU Project Office Ruth Pappenhagen traveled to Amman as representatives of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences. In addition to a ceremony with guests from politics, business and society, the program included campus tours and talks to exchange ideas about the strategic partnership for university management.

A particular highlight was the joint setting of a strong symbol by the GJU and h2:

President Prof. Dr. Alaaldeen Al-Halhouli (GJU) and Rector Prof. Dr. Manuela Schwartz (h2), together with members of the Board of Trustees and delegates from both universities, planted a number of almond trees on the GJU Campus – a gift from h2 to the GJU.

The almond trees symbolize the joint promise to further strengthen the strategic partnership and promote future growth.

“The trees that we are allowed to plant for the students represent the firm roots of our 20-year relationship, for the continuous flourishing of this cooperation, for the constructive and academic cooperation of all and for the many fruits that the GJU, the State of Jordan and the MENA region will ultimately harvest through partnership with German universities and companies,” says Prof. Schwartz.

Prof. Baumgarten, Vice Rector for Research, Development and Transfer, adds: “A modern research infrastructure, well-equipped laboratories and proven professors at GJU provide ideal conditions for future-oriented research partnerships between our universities. Potential for cooperation in a research context lies in key topics of our time, such as AI, robotics, biomechanics and sustainable water management. ”