A delegation from the European Commission and its Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) conducted a monitoring visit to the University of Jordan (UJ) on Monday, September 24th.

 

The purpose of the visit was to view and assess the impact and results of the EU projects and their sustainability.

 

The monitoring team comprised Ms. Milvia Van Rij-Brizzi, Head of Department Erasmus+ & EU Aid Volunteers at EACEA; Mr. Ralf Rahders, Head of CBHE Unit at EACEA; Prof. Meltem Muftuler-Bac from Sabanci University, Istanbul; and Mr. Job Arts, Attaché/Programme Manager for Education and Youth Development and Regional Cooperation, EU Delegation, Amman.

 

The team was accompanied by Prof. Ahmad Abu-El-Haija, Director of the National Erasmus+ Office, and his Project-Officer Dr. Reem Alkhader.

 

The programme started with a meeting with UJ President Prof. Prof. Azmi Mahafzah, Vice Presidents and Deans, as well as the Director of the of Accreditation and Quality Assurance Center, Director of the Office of International Relations, and local project coordinators.

 

During the meeting, President Prof. Azmi Mahafzah stated that the visit aims to assess the impact of the involvement of UJ in Tempus and CBHE projects on its internationalization strategy and to ensure efficient implementation of the projects.

 

Mahafzah stated that, since 2002, UJ has enjoyed the highest number of Tempus and Erasmus+ CBHE and ICM projects in Jordan.

 

From his part, Prof. Ahmad Abu-El-Haija, Director of the National Erasmus+ Office in Amman, said the main focus of the visit was on the management structures placed by the University to ensure effective implementation of the TEMPUS/CBHE projects.

 

According to Abu-El-Haija, the visit also focused on important aspects related to the impact, dissemination, and sustainability of project results. 

 

Prof. Rami Ali, Director of the Office of International Relations, said the visit aimed at evaluating the University's experience in the capacity building and academic mobility projects which have been supported by the European Commission over the past 15 years. He pointed out that since 2002, UJ has benefited from 38 capacity building projects, 88 academic mobility projects for students and staff members, in addition to supporting the University's move towards e-learning.

 

Prof. Rami presented a summary on the history of cooperation with programs funded by the EC, in addition to the results of this cooperation and developments witnessed by the Office and the University at the administrative and technical levels.

 

UJ Vice President for Humanities Prof. Ahmad Majdoubeh delivered a presentation, in which he stressed the importance of the university's involvement in the Bologna Process and Tempus projects.
 
Majdoubeh also cited the strategy of the University, explaining the impact of both Tempus and Erasmus+ projects, in addition to support provided by the University for the Projects, and its future plans.

 

The delegation also met with 11 projects coordinators, who in turn, presented the impact and outcomes of their projects, and challenges reported during the implementation.

 

The team also conducted site visits to facilities created on campus within the framework of the projects, including labs and meeting rooms at the School of Engineering, and an olive mill created within the Tempus Olive Industry Project.