Salt, May 12 (Petra) -- President of Al-Balqa Applied University Ahmad Fakheri Al-Ajlouni held talks on Tuesday with a delegation from the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the European Union (EU) on expanding cooperation in academic, technical and vocational education, with a focus on scholarships, exchange opportunities and skills development programs for students.

The delegation included DAAD Jordan Director Hebatallah Fathy and Carmen Voigt-Graf, Project Manager for Skills Development and Technical and Vocational Education and Training at the European Union Delegation to Jordan.

During the meeting, Al-Ajlouni highlighted the university’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships that support applied and technical education, noting that the university has developed advanced academic and vocational programs aligned with labor market demands, positioning it as a key partner in training and workforce development initiatives.

On the sidelines of the visit, DAAD representatives delivered an introductory session for students and faculty members outlining the organization’s scholarship opportunities and academic programs. The presentation covered funding opportunities for technical diploma and bachelor’s degree students, as well as postgraduate, master’s and doctoral studies, in addition to research support, academic exchange and regional mobility programs.

Discussions also focused on initiatives supporting students in technical and vocational sectors, particularly in renewable energy, agriculture, hospitality and other applied disciplines. The programs include practical training, skills development, technical support and labor market preparation aimed at enhancing students’ professional readiness.

Participants additionally reviewed the STEP program, which supports underprivileged students, alongside vocational qualification and capacity-building initiatives designed to improve access to scholarships, academic exchange and specialized training opportunities.

For her part, Carmen Voigt-Graf stressed the importance of investing in technical and vocational education and aligning educational outcomes with labor market needs. She reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting demand-driven education, strengthening technical disciplines and providing skills development programs for students and educational institutions in Jordan.

DAAD is considered one of the leading international organizations supporting academic cooperation and research partnerships through scholarships, exchange programs and educational initiatives linking universities and academic institutions worldwide.

//Petra// WH

12/05/2026 10:18:27