TNE Management Meeting in Jordan

Impulses for the future of a vibrant German-Jordanian higher education partnership

Key figures in German-Jordanian higher education cooperation gathered to reflect on current developments in the Transnational Education Project (TNB) and to explore shared perspectives.

The TNE Management Meeting provided a focused overview of ongoing initiatives, challenges and future priorities.

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Joint launch and high-level participation

The official launch was marked by addresses from two key figures shaping the partnership: the President of the German Jordanian University (GJU), Prof. Dr Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli, and the Rector of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences and Head of the TNB project, Prof. Dr Manuela Schwartz. In their welcoming remarks, they highlighted the strategic importance of the partnership and emphasised the further development of the GJU model, which closely links academic education and international mobility.

The group of participants reflected the full breadth of the cooperation, a diverse network comprising academic leadership, specialist units and international interfaces: In addition to the Vice-Presidents and all the Deans, representatives from the Schools, the German Language Centre and the management of the International Affairs Department were in attendance. The gathering was complemented by key figures from the TNE project, including DAAD representatives and the GJU Project Office at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences.

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Strategic topics in University Development

The subsequent session focused on key issues in university development. President Prof. Dr Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli and GJU Vice-President for International Affairs, Prof. Dr Ralf Roßkopf, presented initiatives designed to further refine the GJU’s strategic direction.

Among other things, adjustments to the Flying Faculty Programme and the revision of key regulations, such as the German Year Manual, were discussed. The contributions highlighted how closely structural adjustments and content-related developments are interlinked, like cogs that only function effectively when working together.

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Progress on the TNE project and networking

Ruth Pappenhagen, Head of the GJU Project Office at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, then presented the current status of the TNE project. In addition to highlighting key milestones achieved along the way, she also provided an outlook on upcoming activities.

A particular focus was placed on the further development of networking. Formats such as the planned ‘Network Speaker Meeting’, which is due to take place this autumn, are intended to provide fresh impetus and foster deeper exchange between German and Jordanian partner institutions.

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Intercultural challenges during the ‘German Year’

A key highlight of the meeting was the discussion of the ‘German Year’, a central component of the GJU study programme. Dr Waed Shakkouri presented the findings of her empirical research into the intercultural challenges students face during their time in Germany.

The findings show that academic demands, social integration and intercultural communication in particular present challenges, yet at the same time open up significant opportunities for learning and development.

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Exchange, networking and outlook

Between the programme items, there was time for informal discussions, which was put to good use for exchange and networking.

The Rector of Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Dr. Manuela Schwartz, also highlighted just how beneficial these formats were: “The Management Meeting was an effective opportunity to engage in longer and more in-depth discussions with the university management, but above all with colleagues from the schools and departments. Thanks to interactive formats, this was much more successful than in previous years and therefore remains particularly memorable for me.”

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The TNE Management Meeting once again highlighted that the German-Jordanian partnership rests on a stable foundation and is at the same time constantly evolving, underpinned by shared responsibility and the desire to shape education across borders.

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text | rp