The President of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi met the Turkish Ambassador to Amman, Mr. Murad Karaguz and the accompanying delegation. The two parties discussed ways of enhancing cooperation between Yarmouk and the Turkish embassy as well as the various universities and educational institutions in Turkey.

Kafafi stressed the keenness of Yarmouk to strengthen cooperation ties with the various Turkish universities and institutes, praising the embassy support of the Turkish language program at the Faculty of Arts at the university. He also expressed his hope to provide the program with more faculty members, which contributes to the preparation of students of the program and enables them to engage in the labor market and master the Turkish language. In addition, he expressed the willingness of Yarmouk to receive more Turkish students wishing to learn Arabic in the Arabic language program for non-native speakers at the University's Language Center, which has a distinguished scientific reputation regionally and internationally. Moreover, Kafafi pointed out the possibility of establishing joint academic programs with Turkish universities at the bachelor, master and doctorate levels through the Turkish Embassy in Amman, something that may contribute to the exchange of expertise and preparing distinct graduates.

For his part, Mr. Karaguz praised the distinguished scientific reputation of Yarmouk University and the importance of enhancing scientific and cultural cooperation between Jordanian and Turkish universities, calling for more cultural activities that introduce students and community members to the Turkish language and civilization.

Interestingly, the Ambassador, during his visit to the University, met with students enrolled in the Turkish Language Program at the Faculty of Arts at the University and explained to them the opportunities of education and scholarships available for outstanding students in Turkey. However, the meeting was attended by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Foreign relations, Prof. Fawwaz Al Abed Al-Haq, Irbid Chamber of Industry President, Mr. Hani Abu Hassan, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Amrat, and several officials of the University and the Embassy. 

12 November 2019

The President of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi met a delegation from IQVIA Office of Health Systems Services, which included the Director of the Office, Dr. Rania Bader, and the Public Health Specialist, Rana Mdanat. The two parties discussed possible cooperation in the field of scientific and clinical health studies, the providence of a database on medicines, and other areas of experience exchange.

At the beginning of the meeting, Kafafi confirmed Yarmouk's keenness to develop and modernize the educational process in the various faculties of the university, especially the faculties of medicine and pharmacy, and to build bridges of cooperation with various medical and health institutions in the world, pointing out that such a strategy results in exchanging experiences and keeping pace with developments in the medical sector in the world. He also emphasized the use of the latest educational methods that contribute to the preparation and rehabilitation of the faculties' students and make of them skilled physicians who can perform their mission of providing sound medical and diagnostic services for patients. He explained that this program exposes students to job opportunities at the local, regional, and international level on the one hand, and advances the medical sector in Jordan on the other.

In addition, Kafafi expressed the university's readiness to cooperate with the company of Equity Health Services in the field of clinical studies and referred to the possibility of benefiting from the databases and health technology systems provided by the company, considering Equity as one of the leading companies in such a field at the international level. Moreover, he stressed the possibility of cooperating to preparing a feasibility study for the educational hospital that Yarmouk University plans to establish in order to provide medical services for the inhabitants of Irbid Governorate and to train students of the faculties of medicine and pharmacy.

In return, Bader illustrated the services provided by the company in the field of linking technological health information with clinical studies, providing information for the technological systems of the health sector, and conducting research projects and clinical studies in various medical fields. Bader pointed out the company's keenness to extend bridges of cooperation with Yarmouk University and the possibility of composing a cooperation agreement in the areas of common interest. She explained that the company can benefit from the expertise of the faculties of medicine and pharmacy, which may contribute to the advancement of the scientific medical research in Jordan.

11 November 2019

During his official visit to a number of projects in Irbid, Ajloun, and Mafraq, the Royal Court Chief and head of the follow-up committee for the implementation of Royal initiatives, Yousef Issawi, inaugurated the “main amphitheater” located at Prince Hussein Building,  Yarmouk University, which is funded by the Arab Potash Company (APC).

Interestingly, this funding complies with His Majesty King Abdullah’s vision to improve living conditions and achieve sustainable growth across the Kingdom and with the APC’s social responsibility initiatives.

Considering that the main amphitheater can host up to 500 people and has been equipped with “state-of-the-art” sound systems and digital screens during ongoing renovations, Yarmouk President, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi, expressed his gratitude to the APC for the implementation of the project, in cooperation with the Royal Court. He Further stressed that the amphitheater will enhance the educational process at Yarmouk University. 

Noteworthy that the inauguration ceremony was attended by Irbid Governor, Mr. Radwan Al-Otoom, APC’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Jamal Sarayrah, and several Yarmouk deans and academic and administrative staff members.

22 October 2019

The Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science at Yarmouk University, Prof. Samer Samara, patronized the graduation ceremony of the first batch of participants in the workshop of building the functional capacity of Jordanian and Syrian students in northern Jordan. The workshop is part of the project (Competency-based Career Focused Training for Syrian and Jordanian Students in Northern Jordan), which is conducted by the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science with the support of the German Association for International Cooperation (GIZ).

The project manager, Dr. Aws Magableh from the Department of Information Systems at the university pointed out that this project aims at developing students' career skills in order to help them get suitable job opportunities,and develop their skills coherently with the needs of the labor market. He mentioned that the project includes four training workshops, which address effective communication skills and try to develop skills for composing presentations, entrepreneurship, and cybersecurity.

Mrs. Eris of the German Association for International Cooperation (GIZ), the project coordinator, explained the importance of the project in the development of human capacity among participants, praising the level of implementation and organization of this project by Yarmouk University. She pointed out the depth of cooperation relations between Yarmouk and GIZ in the implementation of various development projects that contribute to the rehabilitation and preparation of young people to take several developmental roles and build their own desired future.

However, Prof. Samara handed certificates to the workshop participants at the end of the ceremony and thanked the project team, which includes Dr. Aws Magableh as the project manager, Dr. Ahmed Al-Aroud, Dr. Nawaf Al-Sareheen, and Dr. Yazan Al-Shboul.

12 November 2019

The President of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zidan Kafafi met Dr. Martha Habash, the Academic Director of Jesuit Worldwide Learning Institute at Creighton University. The two parties discussed the possibility of cooperation, especially in the field of holding an English language training program for university students and refugees in Jordan.

During the meeting, Kafafi stressed the keenness of Yarmouk to strengthen cooperation with various international educational institutions and institutes, which contributes to the exchange of experiences and knowledge, and positively reflects on improving the educational process at the university. He also stressed that Yarmouk University, since its inception, is keen to positively impact the society of Irbid Governorate and the providence of educational services of its citizens. As a national institution in Jordan, Yarmouk University has handled its social responsibility towards the community to carry part of the burden of the seek refuge in Jordan through the implementation of a number of international scientific projects supported by international donors aiming at rehabilitating refugees, helping them to engage in Host communities, and enabling them to start their business and entrepreneurship in a way that achieves economic sufficiency of their needs.

Kafafi then proceeded to express Yarmouk’s willingness to discuss the possibility of establishing a program to teach the English language to non-native speakers serving by that refugees, local community members, and university students alike. This possibility will assist those, who wish to join international universities, to complete their higher studies on the one hand, and to raise their level of mastery of the English language that is now considered the language of the modern age.

In return, Habash praised the outstanding level of Yarmouk University, the efficiency of its faculty members, and their excellence in attracting and implementing international projects that serve the community. Habash also stressed the Institute’s keenness to strengthen cooperation with Yarmouk represented by the Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration Studies Center, and to compose a future memorandum of understanding in areas of common interest.

The meeting was attended by Vice-Presidents: Prof. Anis Khasawneh and Prof. Fawwaz Al-Abed Al-Haq, as well as the Dean of the Faculty of Sciences, Prof. Nihad Yousef, the Director of International Relations and Projects Department, Dr. Mowaffaq Otoom, and the Director of the Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration Studies Center, Dr. Anas Al-Subuh.

11 November 2019

The Vice President of Yarmouk University for Student Affairs and External Relations, Prof. Fawwaz Al-Abed Al-Haq, met the Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Studies and Arabic Language of the Pahang Foundation in Malaysia, Prof. Muhammad Rasheemy, and they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between Yarmouk and Pahang. At the beginning of the meeting, Prof. Al-Abed Al-Haq stressed Yarmouk University's keenness to expand its cooperation with various international educational institutions, as doing this complies with the university's vision to become universal and exchange experiences and ideas with different partners to reflect positively on the educational process and the level of the university graduates. Also, Prof. Al-Abed Al-Haq praised the depth of the academic relations between Yarmouk University and Pahang Foundation and expressed Yarmouk’s readiness to expand the fields of cooperation and activate them in areas of common interest, especially in the field of holding lectures, and participating in scientific events and seminars through video communication. Moreover, Prof. Al-Abed Al-Haq pointed out that Yarmouk is keen to take care of its new students from various Arab, Western, and Islamic nationalities and emphasized Yarmouk’s strategy to involve the Malaysian arrivals into the various extracurricular activities organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs at the University, thus sharpening their skills and enhancing cultural exchange among university students. He then proceeded to praising the outstanding level of the Malaysian students studying in Yarmouk in various academic disciplines and acknowledged their commitment to the regulations and laws of the University.

In his turn, Prof. Rashimi thanked Yarmouk University for its unwavering care for Malaysian students and stressed the keenness of his own faculty supported by the Pahang Foundation to send more students to Yarmouk University. He praised the scientific reputation of Yarmouk and the outstanding level of the university graduates of Malaysian students who proved their competence in many different job positions back home. He also expressed his hope to benefit from the experiences of Yarmouk University in developing and updating the study plans for several academic programs at Pahang Foundation University and to renew the agreement between the two sides and expand the fields of cooperation between the two parties.

However, the meeting was attended by the Vice President for Humanities Faculties and Administrative Affairs, Prof. Anis Khasawneh, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Prof. Mohammad Bani Doumi, the Head of the Department of Usul-Addin at the Faculty of Sharia and Islamic Studies, Prof. Mohammad Zuhair, the Head of Student Welfare Department at the Malaysian Embassy in Amman, Dr. Ziad Al Azzam, and the Director of the Department of Public Relations and Media, Mr. Mukhlis Al-Abini.

21 October 2019

On behalf of the President of Yarmouk University, the Vice President for Humanities and Administrative Affairs, Prof. Anis Khasawneh patronized the opening of the workshop organized by the Studies Center of Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration in cooperation with Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty. This workshop, which lasted for two days and included 25 participants from Jordanian and Syrian refugees, was entitled: "The Reasons of Migration and the Future of Syria".

During the opening ceremony, Prof. Al-Khasawneh stressed the importance of holding such a workshop, which discusses a range of issues and challenges facing Syrian refugees and tries to help them create a better future and live in dignity in their host countries and when they return to Syria. He stressed that Jordan is aware that refugees are Jordanians' brothers; therefore, the country is not only hosting refugees but also trying to help them overcome the psychological crises they may go through as a result of the conflicts they have witnessed. This is achieved, as he stated, by enabling refugees to get involved in the labor market of the host communities on the one hand and encouraging them to develop their ideas and build their desired future on the other. He then pointed out that Yarmouk, realizing the need to further highlight refugees' needs, established its center of refugees, which aims at inviting the supporting institutions to hold the many programs that contribute to refugees’ empowerment, preparation, and capacity-building in the various fields of life. In addition, Al-Khasawneh praised the efforts of the (Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration Studies Center) at the university and its keenness to cooperate with international organizations and institutions for the sake of empowering refugees and studying their needs.

In his turn, Dr. Anas Al-Subuh, the Director of the Center, explained that the workshop discusses several main axes concerned with abandonment and refugees. Naming a few among many, he mentioned the causes of migration in the Middle East, the challenges faced by refugees and migrants, political freedom and its association with migration, the impact of society and its association with migration, the link between economic freedom and migration movements, the challenges facing Syrian refugees, and the future of Syria and its reconstruction. He explained that the workshop, through the dialogue with the youth participating in it, also highlights the challenges that prevent refugees from returning to their country after the end of conflicts and the difficulties faced by refugees regarding their engagement with the host communities. He then extended his thanks to the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for its support to holding such a workshop that positively reflects on the participants, the Jordanian and Syrian refugees.

In return, Yara Batayneh from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty thanked Yarmouk University represented by the Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration Studies Center for its continuing cooperation with the Foundation and for its keenness to offering training programs and workshops for refugees in Jordan. She explained that such a strategy enables refugees to engage with the host community and become productive members, which enriches their abilities to reconstruct and develop their home country after the end of the conflicts.

However, Dr. Abdulbaset Athamna of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences at Yarmouk University participated in the first discussion panel of the workshop. He explained the concept of migration, its types, and the difference between voluntary and forced migration, indicating that the reasons of migration, in general, are either economic, where individuals leave their countries to others to improve their living situation, or political, where individuals are forced to leave their countries to others due to regime pressures and/or military conflicts. He pointed to some of the policies adopted by certain Arab governments, which resulted in the migration of many refugees.

Similarly, Dr. Khair Thiabat of the Department of Political Sciences at the University presented a paper in which he explained the most important political factors that contribute to the migration of peoples. He stated that the most significant factors that cause people to migrate are the lack of human security, the lack of political rights like the right to vote, the lack of the freedom of expression, and the absence of democracy.

Noteworthy that the workshop was attended by several officials from the University's Studies Center of Refugees, Displaced Persons and Forced Migration as well as the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty.

12 November 2019

The President of Yarmouk University. Prof. Zeidan Kafafi met a delegation from the German Protestant Institute of Archeology, which included Dr. Dieter Weber, the Director of the Institute in Jerusalem, and Dr. Utah Heiser from the Institute's sect in Amman. The two sides discussed ways of enhancing cooperation between Yarmouk and the institution, especially in the field of implementing an inventory project of the artifacts in the Faculty of Archeology and Anthropology.

During the meeting, Kafafi stressed the depth of relations between Yarmouk University and the Institute as well as other German educational institutions, especially in the field of archaeological excavations and maintenance. He then praised the role of the Institute in preserving the cultural heritage, the field of excavation, and the monuments through projects applied in several archaeological sites in Jordan, which is executed in cooperation with several Jordanian researchers, and a number of faculty members at Yarmouk University. Kafafi also pointed out the possibility of continuing cooperation with the Institute through signing a memorandum of understanding between the two sides to implement a research project on a set of artifacts in the Faculty of Archeology and Anthropology. He explained that this should enable researchers to study, analyze, and understand the history of the sequential civilizations of the region.

In return, Weber praised the outstanding scientific level of the Faculty of Archeology at Yarmouk University and its role in preserving the cultural heritage in the region. He then expressed the readiness of the Institute to study the possibility of implementing the inventory of the artifacts project in the faculty, which enhances the role of the Institute in the preservation of the world's cultural heritage and contributes to the definition of regional identities considering them as the most important requirements of the cultural dialogue among civilizations.

However, the meeting was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Archeology and Anthropology, Prof. Hani Hayajneh, the University's Advisor for Human Resources Affairs, Prof. Abdul Halim Al-Shayab, and the Director of the Department of Public Relations Mr. Mukhlis Al-Abini.

11 November 2019

The President of Yarmouk University Prof. Zeidan Kafafi met with a delegation from the American Embassy in Amman among whom were a number of cultural affairs officials and the regional office of the English language at the embassy. The two parties discussed many ways of enhancing cooperation between the university and the embassy in a number of areas of common interest.

During the meeting, Kafafi stressed Yarmouk University's keenness to strengthen the ties of cooperation with the American Embassy on the one hand and the various American universities, institutions, and educational institutes on the other. He also expressed his hope to expand the base of cooperation with the Embassy in the fields of cultural exchange and to attract American students wishing to learn Arabic in the University's Language Center, which has a distinguished academic reputation at the international level. He pointed out that the Center includes a number of lecturers who are capable of teaching Arabic language in modern methods to ensure students master the basic skills of the Arabic language. In addition, Prof. Kafafi emphasized the possibility of cooperation between the university and the embassy through a number of developmental projects that contribute to the revitalization of tourism in the northern region of Jordan, Irbid governorate in particular. He then expressed the willingness of Yarmouk to cooperate with the embassy in the field of establishing a training program for students and those wishing to complete their graduate studies at American universities. Kafafi then proceeded to talk about the willingness of Yarmouk to become a center for holding qualifying courses to pass the GRE test in the region and probably be a place for holding the test itself in the future.

On their behalf, the delegation praised the distinguished scientific reputation of Yarmouk University, which called on the embassy to choose Yarmouk University to establish a training program for qualifying students to pass the international ability test GRE. The embassy expressed its devotion to support the links of scientific and cultural cooperation with Yarmouk University in various fields, considering it as one of the pioneering educational institutions in Jordan.

Noteworthy that the meeting was attended by two Vice Presidents of the University, the Deans of the Faculty of Education and the Faculty of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies, the Director of the Language Center, the Director of the Department of International Relations and Projects, the CEO of the National Center for Curriculum Development, and a number of officials from the University and Embassy.

21 October 2019