Strong signal for education: Federal President Steinmeier visits German Jordanian University

The German Jordanian University (GJU) is considered a flagship project of German-Jordanian educational cooperation. Since 2005, Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, together with the local GJU Project Office, has been supporting the development of the GJU, which was established based on the German university of applied sciences model and is now considered a pioneer for application-oriented teaching in the region.

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier was warmly welcomed on Wednesday in Amman by GJU President Prof. Dr. Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli and the Rector of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences and GJU Project Manager Prof. Dr. Manuela Schwartz, among others.

"The visit of Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier to the German Jordanian University has demonstrated the German government's keen interest in this successful Transnational Education Project (TNE). Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences has been supporting the development of this unique institution for 21 years. As a university based on the German model of universities of applied sciences, the GJU in Jordan provides excellent application-oriented education. In the coming years, it is to be further developed as an entrepreneurial university in order to improve international networking between business and science in the Middle East," says Manuela Schwartz.

On campus,Steinmeier visited the Technology Research and Innovation Platform (TRIP),which links academic research with the needs of industry, and modern centers and laboratories focusing on artificial intelligence, robotics, green energy, drones, and agriculture.  He also gained insights into projects for training Syrian refugees as part of edu.syria and into the GJU's School of Nursing, which has been qualifying nurses for the German and Jordanian labor markets since 2023.

‍

“Jewel of the German-Jordanian partnership”

As a transnational education project based on the German model, the GJU combines academic excellence, practical orientation, and international cooperation.

GJU President Prof. Dr. Ala'aldeen Al-Halhouli pointed out that the university occupies a special position in the Jordanian higher education system: “The German Jordanian University is a unique model and is considered as a jewel of the partnership between Germany and Jordan.” It is based on the model of German universities of applied sciences, but combines this with regional needs and perspectives. The GJU is proud to be “one of the best universities locally, regionally, and globally.”

‍

Political signal for educational partnership

The visit to the GJU is part of the political talks between Germany and Jordan: His Majesty King Abdullah II acknowledged the cooperation with Germany. He said that Jordan was “very proud” of the economic relations and the support in the field of education, which had proved “remarkable” for Jordanian youth. Jordan has always been an anchor of stability in the region, said Steinmeier.

‍

For the German Jordanian University, the Federal President's visit reflects the university's status as one of the most important strategic cooperation projects between the two countries and as a leading model for application-oriented education tailored to the needs of the labor market and the German economy.

For Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, as core and strategic partner of the GJU, the Federal President's visit underscores the commitment to education, research, and sustainable development in the German Jordanian University project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR) and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) under the "Transnational Education – German Study Programs Abroad".

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍

‍