​In a move aimed at coordinating efforts to enhance early childhood education, the University of Jordan (UJ) and International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), signed a memorandum of understanding on Monday.

The MoU, signed by UJ President, Prof. Nathir Obeidat, and the Director of ASAS, Cameron Mirza, outlines collaborative efforts to develop, deliver, sustain, and market the early grade education activity, also known as “Asas”.

The signing ceremony was attended by the UJ's Vice President for Humanities Schools, International Relations and Partnerships, Prof. Nahed Emaish, Dean of the School of Educational Sciences, Prof. Mohammed Sayel Al-Zyoud, First Director of the ASAS teachers preparation programs, Dr. Saeb Ali Khasawneh, and the Project Coordinator at the University of Jordan, Rasha Al-Akhras.

The MoU specifies actions, including Undergraduate Early Childhood Program (UECP) for university students, set to commence in Amman and Aqaba starting the academic year 2024/2025.

It also emphasizes active participation in the governance of the ASAS project, developing plans to enhance performance and establish a professional virtual educational community. The collaboration aims to engage faculty members in collaborative research projects, facilitating knowledge exchange and updates in the field of early childhood education, and increasing the number of published research articles in the "Scopus" database.

The agreement further addresses the development and updating of university policies to align with the pre-service and in-service teacher education project's policies.