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25/ Cabinet advances university reforms, public sector modernisation, digital services
Amman, April 14 (Petra) – The Cabinet approved a series of legislative and administrative measures aimed at advancing education reform, modernising the public sector and improving government services. The Cabinet approved the justifications for a draft amendment to the Jordanian Universities Law of 2026, paving the way for its referral to the Legislation and Opinion Bureau to complete constitutional procedures. The amendments respond to changes in the draft Education and Human Resources Development Law, including new provisions regulating community and university colleges. The draft law seeks to align the legislative framework governing higher education institutions with recent structural changes in the sector, particularly the merger of the Ministries of Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research. It supports national efforts to modernise the public sector, improve education quality and better align academic outcomes with labour market needs, while incorporating international best practices in higher education governance. The amendments aim to enable universities to diversify revenue sources, expand investment activities and attract more international students, building on Jordan's established academic reputation. The Cabinet approved the 2026 bylaws for the Jordanian Academy of Public Administration, which will succeed the Institute of Public Administration. The Academy is expected to strengthen institutional capacity and enhance the skills of approximately 200,000 public sector employees through modern, flexible training systems. It would focus on leadership development, performance improvement and expanding access to training, while supporting innovation and data-driven policymaking. The initiative aligns with public sector modernisation efforts, including digital transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence in government operations. The Academy would adopt a collaborative model involving government entities, universities and the private sector, helping develop competitive training solutions and supporting the transition to an integrated national capacity-building system linked to career development. In efforts to improve public services, the Cabinet approved the 2026 Notary Public Transactions Fees Bylaw and the Bylaw for the Use of Electronic Means in Notary Public Transactions. The measures enable electronic payments with reduced fees and allow notaries to use audiovisual communication tools, streamlining procedures and supporting digital transformation in judicial services. The Cabinet endorsed the 2026 Administrative Organisation Bylaw for the Jordan Radio and Television Corporation, aimed at enhancing efficiency and adapting to technological advancements. The restructuring reduces administrative units, introduces a Digital Transformation Directorate, establishes a training centre and strengthens cybersecurity measures. New departments focused on content production, including AI-driven media and creative programming, were also introduced. The Cabinet approved the justifications for a draft administrative bylaw for the Ministry of Youth for 2026. The proposed changes aim to expand youth programmes and centres, align with the National Youth Strategy (2026–2030) and support initiatives such as the King Hussein bin Abdullah II Award for Voluntary Work and youth leadership development programmes. The Cabinet approved the National Strategy for Developing the Jordanian Statistical Bylaw (2026–2030), assigning the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MoPIC) to oversee its implementation. The strategy aims to modernise statistical bylaw, enhance data integration, improve accuracy and efficiency and strengthen data-driven decision-making, while ensuring data security and confidentiality. The Cabinet approved the allocation of JOD2 million from the Ministry of Finance's 2026 budget to the Petra Development and Tourism Region Authority to support infrastructure projects aimed at boosting tourism in the Petra region. //Petra// AK
14/04/2026 20:17:29
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