An academic research team from Yarmouk University, in partnership with the Spanish University of Granada and a number of Palestinian and European universities, has received support from the European Union, within the Erasmus + program, to implement a project that aims at establishing and developing a training diploma program on the neurological development of refugee children in the host communities.
The project, entitled NeuCaRe, is based on learning outcomes and the use of ICTs and integrated education, and it includes educational tools, methodologies, and pedagogical and social methods. Through the project, new and innovative curricula and teaching methodologies will be developed and a variety of courses on care and neurological development of refugee children will be introduced.
The team from Yarmouk University includes Dr. Ayat Nashwan of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Anas Al-Subuh of the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science, Dr. Muawiya Al-Khatatbeh from the Faculty of Medicine, and Dr. Ibtisam Rababaa from the Faculty of Education.
The president of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi, recently met with the director of the Intellectual Property Trade Office of the Scientific Association (Ipark). The meeting was part of congregation of the International Initiative Committee, which aims at supporting the universal innovation environment, ‘The Next Society’, strengthening the values of creativity, pushing development efforts, and developing scientific research in which Yarmouk University is pioneering among other Jordanian institutions.
During the meeting, the two parties discussed possible cooperation between Yarmouk University and the Intellectual Property Trading Office in the fields of training and consultation, which should result in exchanging experiences and knowledge among the two parties. Prof. Kafafi confirmed Yarmouk’s interest in participating in international projects of all fields as such participation benefits the university as well as the teaching board, contributes to exchanging experiences and scientific skills among participants of the project, provides an idea about other pioneering educational associations’ experiences, and enables the deployment of such experiences for developing the educational process at Yarmouk University. This eventually, as Prof. Kafafi stated, reflects on the level of Yarmouk’s graduates who will help to renew national associations and push the sustainable development process in all sectors.
Pointing out the need to activate cooperation between the different scientific, research, and academic institutions with the university, Prof. Kafafi stressed the depth of relations between Yarmouk University and the Royal Scientific Society, which is considered an incubator of creativity and innovation. He confirmed that the cooperation always leads to exchanging experiences and joint work, which results in advancing Jordan's academic institutions and keeping pace with the tremendous developments witnessed by the world in the fields of information and technology transfer and intellectual property. He also noted that knowledge is no longer exclusive to any party and does belong to all people and that the great overlap between multiple sciences opens great prospects for creativity and innovation, considering the inevitable need for basic sciences despite the huge developments and major changes in all scientific fields. Prof. Kafafi added that Yarmouk, as one of the leading Jordanian universities, is keen to expand bridges of cooperation with the various scientific and research institutions to pelletizing scientific research along with encouraging creativity and innovation, considering that Yarmouk was established to be an incubator of science and academic research that contributes to the development of the society.
In return, Jaafari stressed the keenness of the Royal Scientific Society to institutionalize cooperation relations with the various Jordanian universities, pointing out the readiness of the Intellectual Property Trade Office to provide all training and consultation services to Yarmouk University, as one of the pillars of scientific research in Jordan. He mentioned that Yarmouk was the first university in Jordan to compose intellectual property instructions, which took place in 1978. He then reviewed the services of the Intellectual Property Trade Office, which seeks to support technology transfer offices in the national institutions, and emphasized their role in achieving development, entrepreneurship, and supporting innovation.
All in all, the meeting was highly productive and was attended by the University Vice President for Humanities Faculties and Administrative Affairs, Prof. Anis Khassawneh, the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism, Prof. Mohammed Al-Shannaq, the Director of the Department of International Relations and Projects, Dr. Mwaffaq Otoom, the Director of the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Mestrihi, the Dean Assistant of the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Sciences, Dr. Yazan Al-Shboul, the Chair of the Scientific Research Department in the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research Mr. Mahmoud Alsouki, and the Director of the Department of Public Relations and Media, Mr. Mukhles Al-Ibbeni.
New World New Mind: Moving Toward Conscious Evolution by Robert Ornstein and Paul Ehrlich, translated by Ahmad Mustageer, was discussed in the presence of the University Vice President for Student Affairs and External Relations, Prof. Fawwaz Al-Abed Al-Haq. The event took place during the first summer cultural ceremonies arranged by Al-Husain bin Talal library at Yarmouk University in collaboration with Irbid Directorate of Culture. The novelists, namely Hashem Gharaibeh, Rawanda Kafarneh, and Muath Bani Amer participated in discussing the book, specifically the effects and inventions of mankind in our world. They pointed out that the ‘development’ that mankind has achieved in the world has created many damages that humans aren’t fully aware of yet. Also, they confirmed that humans must take a second look at the world and start creating new ways of thinking to be suitable for the world as we know it today. Otherwise, the world will suffer severe consequences that’ll wipe out all previous civilizations.
In addition, the library hosted a musical concert called "Oriental Summer", which was played by a band from Krishindo Institute of Music and Arts, which was established in 2015 and became then an important provider of creative artistic individuals in Jordan. The band performed many songs of the Jordanian-Palestinian heritage featuring the artists, Yazan Sabagh, Lena Saadah, and Natali Samaan who were accompanied by their supervisor, Omar Abaad. The concert was patronized by the Vice President for Scientific Faculties and Administrative Affairs, Prof. Anis Khasawneh.
Moreover, the library offered a movie's premiere of the Palestinian movie ‘’Palestine stereo", which was written and directed by Rasheed Mshharawi in the outdoor courtyard. The movie tells the story of two siblings from Jenine refugee camp who’ve been hurt badly since moving there. Therefore, they’ve decided to open an audio hardware rental shop for ceremonial necessities in order to collect enough money to emigrate from Palestine to Canada. Yet, their project doesn’t go as planned. However, after the movie’s premiere, a discussion of movie was directed by Dr. Mohammad Al-Omari of the Faculty of Education.
The Vice President of Yarmouk University for Scientific Faculties and Financial Affairs, Prof. Ahmad Al-Ajlouni, has met with Huang Chessy, the Public Relations Manager at Huawei in Jordan, and they discussed possible cooperation between the two sides in areas of mutual interest. Al-Ajlouni affirmed Yarmouk's devotion to extend cooperation with Huawei, considering it as one of the leading companies at the international level in the ICT sector. Also, he pointed out the widespread achievement of the company in Jordan through its cooperation with Jordanian telecommunications companies. Then he expressed his hope that the cooperation between Yarmouk and Huawei will be framed to establish the "Huawei Academy" at the university, which is a platform for training and developing human resources in the ICT sector. Prof. Al-Ajlouni explained that such an academy supports the plans and visions of the university to train students and qualify them with modern scientific skills and knowledge and that it may direct all vital sectors to advanced technological solutions. Moreover, Prof. Al-Ajlouni emphasized the high scientific level of graduates of Hijjawi Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science at the University, who have proven their competence in the labor market and received multiple scientific awards at the local, regional and international level. He added that the university seeks to engage its students in various methodological and extracurricular competitions, believing in the importance of these participations to develop the participants' skills and enrich their knowledge, thus raising the level of competitiveness in the labor market.
In his turn, Chessey praised the outstanding scientific reputation of Yarmouk University, especially in the fields of engineering and information technology, and he expressed his hope that a huge number of university students would participate in Huawei ICT competition for the Middle East this year. He explained that the competition aims at developing the talents in the ICT industry. However, Chessey pointed out the possibility of working by both sides and framing future cooperation between Huawei and Yarmouk in areas of common interest. He also emphasized the possibility of opening the Hawai Academy at Yarmouk University to provide training and rehabilitation services for university students and community members in the northern region.
The meeting was attended by the Dean of Al-Hijjawi Faculty of Technology Engineering, Dr. Ahmed Al-Shamali, the dean of the faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science; Dr. Samer Samara, the Director of the Computer Center, Mr. Ishaq Matalqa, the Director of Public Relations and Media, Mr. Mukhlis Al-Abini, and the Public Relations Coordinator at Huawei in Jordan, Nouran Abu Rabie.
Twenty-two students from the Faculty of Mass Communication at Yarmouk University completed a two-month field training program, which included practical and field training in the press directorates, at the Jordanian News Agency, Petra. The General Director of the Jordan News Agency, Fayrouz Mubaideen, stressed the importance of field training in providing students with practical skills and professional experiences. She reviewed the role of Petra's Training Directorate in the service of governmental institutions and media faculties at universities and pointed out that Petra is always up to date regarding any technological developments that the press and media sects are witnessing. She also encouraged students to get a hold of modern media tools and to take advantage of the high professional standards adopted by the agency in its editorial policy.
For his part, prof. Ali Al-Zinat from the Faculty of Mass Communication at Yarmouk University praised Petra's professional competencies and its contribution to the enhancement of students' professional skills and conception of professionalism. Besides, the participant students confirmed that they have acquired many skills after practicing journalism in the various directorates of the Agency and expressed their gratitude to Yarmouk and Petra for offering them such an opportunity. At the end, certificates were delivered to the program’s students.
The president of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi, met the Acting Cultural Attache in the Saudi Embassy, Ibrahem Al-Saadan, in Amman. The two parties discussed methods of reinforcing the means of cooperation as well as some important cases and concerns of the Saudi students at Yarmouk University.
Prof. Kafafi confirmed that Yarmouk University is keen to providing its students with the highest levels of care and constantly encourages them to participate in different activities arranged by the deanship of students affairs, which reflects positively on their personalities and contributes to developing their communication skills. He explained that this helps students to assimilate better into the student body of the university, which provides students with a broader knowledge of other cultures, expands their horizon, and qualifies them to become good citizens. This also, as Prof. Kafafi explained, allows students to become capable of giving and making the required developments in their professional life on the local and regional level.
Moreover, Prof. Kafafi stated that Yarmouk University seeks to attract more Saudi students to attend Yarmouk University, pointing out the importance of reinforcing the affairs of cooperation with the Saudi Cultural Mission on one hand and other Saudi universities on the other hand. He explained that doing that should help in exchanging academic experiences among faculty members and developing higher education in the Middle East. Furthermore, Prof. Kafafi pointed to Yarmouk’s interest in developing and updating its study plans, creating the necessary educational environment for its students, and providing students with the latest scientific innovations, as such a strategy qualifies students to become representatives of Yarmouk University in the labor market.
In his turn, Al-Saadan praised the unique intellectual reputation of Yarmouk University and pointed out the fact that Saudi students who graduate from Yarmouk always prove themselves as qualified workers in different job positions. Al-Saadan also expressed his appreciation and gratitude for the unique assistance Yarmouk provides for its Saudi students and its continuing contact with the Saudi embassy to handle any obstacles that may challenge Saudi students at the university level.
It is noteworthy that the number of Saudi students attending the different scientific degrees and academic majors in Yarmouk University is about 113 students. However, the meeting was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Science, Prof. Nehad Yousef, the Vice Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Zain Al-Abedeen Abdullah, and several other officials in the university.
The Faculty of Medicine at Yarmouk University, in partnership with its counterparts from the faculties of medicine in the Jordanian public universities and with the support of the European Union in the Erasmus Plus program, received a fund to developing teaching plans in the medical major. The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University, Dr. Wissam Shehadeh, expressed his gratitude to the project team members who came from the different Jordanian universities and who contributed to the preparation of the project. He emphasized that the project will lead to a qualitative leap in the study plans of medical faculties as well as medical education in Jordan. In addition, he appreciated the efforts made by Erasmus+ staff and their continuous contribution to various universities and educational institutions in Jordan.
The Computer and Information Center of Yarmouk University has developed, launched, and updated a set of new electronic systems and services for students and faculty members. Among these electronic services outstands an electronic university enrollment system for Diploma programs in the Faculty of Education, which is launched in collaboration with the Admission and Registration Department. Also, the payment service of all electronic enrollment applications (Higher Education, Parallel Education, and Diploma) is made electronic through E-fawateercom service, thus making tuition payment easier for those who wish to enroll in the university.
Moreover, in collaboration with the Deanship of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies, the Computer and Information Center computerized applying for scientific publishing incentives for the academic faculty members through its (LTR) system username registration. The system requires that the data related to the scientific publication (whether it be an academic paper, book, or chapter of a book) and the data of the authorship are to be filled by the applicant(s); then such data is to be checked by certain departments in the Deanship of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies, which will be responsible for making the final decision.
Besides, the Computer Center in collaboration with the Department of Human Resources/Health Insurance sect. launched four new electronic services for the members of both the academic and administrative faculties in the university. The first new service is uploading or changing personal pictures for the participants or users of the university health insurance electronically. This is thought to be an advanced step for enabling users of the university health insurance to issue their own insurance cards electronically, without being in need for visiting the Department of Human Resources. Second, in collaboration with the concerned liaison officer, the service of applying for cellular lines and Internet subscription was also launched electronically. Third, in collaboration with the Department of Supplies, the Center launched the service of investigating about the custody of the buildings by the deans or directors of the different organizational units, leave aside the head of the divan section. Fourth, the Center launched the service of providing the return of the custody of the building electronically (through the dean, director of the organizational unit, and/or head of the divan section).
However, the director of the Computer Center, Mr. Eshaq Matalqah, pointed out that the electronic applications offered by the Computer and Informantion Center have now reached a total of 50 services. He mentioned that these new services and systems come within the plan of the Computer and Informantion Center to lessen the paperwork used at the university, which saves effort, time, as well as money and helps the university gets rid of the traditional paperwork used in the university's official internal mail. In addition, Mr. Matalqah referred to the fact that the Center, for the sake of keeping such services functioning well, has started a new server hardware system that runs faster than the previous one, which guarantees fast response and high-quality performance of the university hardware system, specifically the Student Information System (SIS) and the Employee Self Service system (ESS).
AMMAN — Yarmouk University and the Crown Prince Foundation (CPF) initiative Naua on Wednesday signed a cooperation agreement providing students with access to volunteering projects organised by partner institutions through the “Nahno” online platform.
As per the agreement, Yarmouk University students will be able to create their own accounts on the Nahno website, while the university will work to facilitate sharing the primary data of student volunteers through a page “unique” to the university on the Nahno site, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
Additionally, Yarmouk University’s e-community service system will feature a shortcut to Nahno as an additional option available to students.
The agreement was signed by Yarmouk University President Zeidan Kafafi and Naua CEO Ahmad Zu’bi, according to Petra.
During the signing, Kafafi expressed appreciation for the efforts of HRH Crown Prince Hussein, his support to Jordanian youth and launching initiatives that fulfil their ambitions and motivate them.
He lauded Naua’s role in embedding a culture of community service and introducing the youth to various volunteering opportunities available across the Kingdom, through Nahno, with the aim of making a positive impact and achieving sustainable development across all sectors.
Zu’bi highlighted Naua’s dedication to enhance its partnerships with universities and educational institutions as a key partner in supporting youth and their involvement in community volunteering.
The preparation of scientific competencies in various fields of knowledge, and the production of innovative scientific research aims to serve society by providing exemplary education in an intellectually stimulating university environment.
