By Zayed Alzyoud
The University of Jordan (UJ) took part in the Fifth Educational Forum on Education, Higher Education and Information Technology, held under the theme of “Integrating Academic, Vocational and Technical Education in Jordan”.
Organised by Jasmine for Training Courses , the forum brought together government officials, academics, experts and private sector representatives.
The event was held under the patronage of Chairman of UJ’s Board of Trustees Senator Prof. Adnan Badran .
In a keynote address, Badran said Jordan and the region are entering a pivotal phase in education, shaped by artificial intelligence applications and changing patterns of work. He said integration between academic, vocational and technical education is no longer a theoretical choice but a national necessity.
He warned that treating pathways in isolation wastes potential, while integration generates economic value and helps reposition vocational education as a productive route.
On artificial intelligence, he said technology can help bridge theory and practice and support specialised learning. He stressed, however, that its use must be responsible and ethical, promote critical thinking and preserve the teacher’s role.
He added that linking education and scientific research with industry and entrepreneurship is essential to a knowledge-based economy, and requires clear policies, effective partnerships and smart investment.
UJ was represented by Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Financial Affairs and Digital Transformation Prof. Ziad Hawamdeh, who discussed ways to strengthen integration across educational pathways and align learning outcomes with labour market needs amid rapid technological change
Hawamdeh said effective integration requires flexible routes that allow students to move horizontally and vertically between pathways, support the recognition of qualifications and broaden options. He also called for closer coordination on curricula and sustained efforts to change societal perceptions of technical and vocational education.
As an example of this approach, he said UJ is expanding partnerships and dual programmes that connect academic study with productive sectors, citing a PhD programme in computer engineering in partnership with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and a bachelor’s programme in aeronautical engineering in cooperation with Jordan Aircraft Maintenance Limited (Joramco).
A representative of the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions (AQACHEI) said the Commission is working to enhance the quality of higher education and its outcomes in line with international standards, while aligning graduates’ skills with labour market needs
The forum concluded with a call for practical, measurable steps to narrow the gap between education and employment and strengthen employability and productivity in line with digital transformation and sustainable development.