The University of Jordan’s Aqaba branch, through its Office of Consulting and Training, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Aqaba National Vocational Training Complex, affiliated with the National Company for Operation and Training. The agreement aims to enhance joint cooperation in the field of vocational and technical training and support national efforts to qualify and empower Jordanian youth in line with the requirements of the local and regional labor market.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Saleh Al-Rawadiya, President of the University of Jordan – Aqaba Branch, and Brigadier General Ashraf Alimat, Director General of the National Company for Operation and Training. The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Tawfiq Al-Majali, Assistant President of the University of Jordan – Aqaba Branch; Mr. Raed Al-Asili, Director of the Directorate of Operation and Training at the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority; and Mr. Khaldoun Al-Kabariti, Director of the Office of Consulting and Training at the Aqaba branch.
The MoU aims to implement vocational diploma programs in various specializations, combining theoretical and practical training. Each program includes 200 hours of theoretical training on campus and 100 hours of practical training at the workshops of the Aqaba National Vocational Training Complex, enhancing the trainees’ skills and preparing them to enter the labor market effectively.
Both parties emphasized that this partnership aligns with the vision of His Royal Highness Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah II to support vocational and technical education and empower youth. It also contributes to achieving sustainable national development goals by providing high-quality training programs focused on practical skills, linking educational outcomes with labor market needs, reducing youth unemployment, and promoting vocational work as a strategic option for the Kingdom’s economic and social development.
The MoU stipulates joint cooperation in selecting and appointing qualified and experienced trainers, preparing and defining training content to ensure integration between the academic and practical aspects. The University of Jordan – Aqaba Branch will be responsible for student registration and academic follow-up in accordance with the regulations and instructions approved by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The MoU serves as a general framework for cooperation, with detailed executive annexes to be prepared later for the training programs, covering technical, administrative, and financial aspects to ensure the success of the partnership and the achievement of its objectives.