By Zayed Alzyoud
The University of Jordan (UJ) held talks with Dr. Marco Farci of Italy’s FAMIC Foundation on developing academic and training cooperation pathways under institutional initiatives linked to the Lombardy Region.
The meeting was chaired by Vice President for Scientific Schools Prof. Ashraf Abu Karaky and attended by Dean of the School of Nursing Prof. Areej Othman, Director, International Affairs Unit Dr. Sameh Al-Zubiedi, Deputy Dean for Training and Alumni Affairs at the School of Engineering Dr. Deyala Tarawneh, and Assistant Dean for Students at the School of Engineering Dr. Ahlam Harahsheh.
Discussions reviewed a proposed pathway that would allow undergraduate students to spend a full academic year in Italy, alongside a six-month arrangement for master’s students, within joint academic and training frameworks.
The cooperation areas explored included nursing and engineering, particularly architectural engineering, as well as archaeology, tourism, the Italian language, and information technology.
In nursing, talks addressed demand among Lombardy healthcare institutions for qualified staff and the role of Italian-language training in supporting professional integration. Farci noted that the proposed employment frameworks would run for a minimum of two years, offering graduates broader access to opportunities in the European labour market.
The meeting also discussed a three-year professional bachelor’s pathway, highlighting the value of making the final year fully practice-based to strengthen applied training and better align coursework with workplace needs.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to share relevant study plans with the Italian partners for academic review, as a basis for advancing the proposed cooperation in the next stage.