Suha Alsubaihi
The University of Jordan (UJ) Vice President for Scientific Schools, Prof. Ashraf Abu Karky, examined during a meeting with a Chinese delegation headed by Deputy Director General of the Office of the Foreign Affairs Committee in Shandong Province Li Hong, China, prospects for academic, scientific, and cultural cooperation between the University and educational and training institutions in the province.
The meeting was attended by Vice President for Humanities School, Prof. Nahed Emaish; Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs; Prof. Ziad Hawamdeh; Vice President for Global Rankings, International Accreditation, and Sustainability, Prof. Faleh Sawer; Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, Prof. Marwan Jarrah; Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Safwan Alshiyab; and his deputy Dr. Fuad Al-Khasawneh, where they exchanged views on possible areas of cooperation between the two sides.
Abu Karky emphasized UJ’s openness to joint cooperation opportunities in line with the university’s strategy as a comprehensive institution, focusing on vital sectors such as artificial intelligence and renewable energy. He also highlighted plans to provide quality training opportunities for students, develop training courses, enhance academic exchange for students and faculty, and expand cooperation in teaching Chinese.
Li Hong expressed pleasure on visiting UJ, as the most prominent and oldest university in Jordan, and emphasized that Shandong has a rich academic and cultural history. She gave an overview of the province’s 68 accredited universities, highlighting Shandong University, which holds a global ranking close to UJ (368th worldwide), and its strengths in mathematics, chemistry, medicine, as well as its Arabic language program.
UJ officials underscored the importance of expanding academic, training, research, and cultural cooperation between the two sides. Discussions highlighted supporting the Chinese-English Bachelor’s program with additional faculty, promoting Arabic language programs for non-native speakers, and offering opportunities for Chinese students to study Arabic.
The meeting also addressed cooperation in medical training for undergraduate and graduate students, joint research through international research groups and co-funded projects, and collaboration in global rankings and sustainability initiatives. In addition, they emphasized enhancing cultural exchange through student activities, strengthening the integration of Chinese students at UJ, and providing Chinese-English program students with year-long training opportunities in China, alongside increased faculty exchange and participation in academic conferences.