There is a need to develop a unified framework for regulatory standards governing graduate education in all Jordanian universities, Graduate Studies Deans in the Jordanian universities said on Thursday.

They also agreed during the first forum for graduate schools in Jordanian universities organized by the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Jordan (UJ) on the formation of three committees to further study the three major topics of the Forum.

UJ President Prof. Azmi Mahafzah said the Forum is the "first of its type" that gathers experts on graduate education and provides a "golden opportunity" for exchange of views and information and discuss challenges confronting postgraduate studies in Jordan.

Mahafzah confirmed that the event also aimed to examine the status of graduate schools in Jordan and investigate the suitability of graduate education outputs to labor market needs.

UJ School of Graduate Studies Dean Prof. Kamal Hadidi said the forum discussed the reality and aspirations of post-graduate studies through three pillars; governing regulations, accreditation standards, and Instructions and procedures for graduate studies programs in the Jordanian universities.

The Forum, which assembled 31 deans and experts from various Jordanian universities, stems from UJ's keenness to establish dialogue on higher education issues in Jordan.