The School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan held the third regular meeting of the Advisory Council for the Postgraduate Diploma in Teacher Preparation Program. The meeting aimed to unify efforts, enhance cooperation and development, and support the ongoing partnership aligned with the Royal vision for teacher preparation and professional development. The council also discussed ways to implement the latest instructional practices in accordance with international standards to ensure high-quality learning outcomes.
The session was chaired by the Dean of the School, Prof. Dr. Mohammad Sayel Alzyoud, who expressed his appreciation to the council members for their active role in providing recommendations and contributions to the development of this distinguished national program. He emphasized the program's impact on improving the quality of education and contributing to Jordan's ambitious vision for the future of education. Dr. Alzyoud highlighted the college's pivotal role in driving ongoing educational reform through its academic programs and strategic partnerships, which have contributed to the university's elevated international ranking.
Dr. Alzyoud noted that the Advisory Council serves as a collaborative platform to support the development of the teacher preparation program and the implementation of strategies set by the university to achieve local and global distinction. This includes supporting the diploma program and assisting the School in obtaining CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation) accreditation, which plays a critical role in ensuring that students are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and competencies essential for effective teaching.
Dr. Moayad Al-Khawaldeh, Assistant Dean for the Postgraduate Diploma Program, emphasized the importance of collective effort and the need to overcome all challenges to ensure successful program implementation. He praised the ongoing dialogue and coordination among council members and called for expanding national partnerships to include more private schools, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, to ensure the graduation of highly qualified teachers capable of making a significant impact in Jordan's education system.
Dr. Sahar Abu Helo, Assistant Dean for International Accreditation and Global Rankings, thanked the attendees for their participation, stressing that their contributions support the accreditation goals of this vital national program. Dr. Abu Helo led a meaningful discussion during which council members reviewed the meeting's agenda and discussed the roles of various partners in achieving accreditation. The importance of continuing these meetings to sustain effective collaboration was also emphasized.
Dr. Omar Al-Khattatbeh, Director of the Postgraduate Diploma in Teacher Preparation Program, thanked the advisory council members for their valuable contributions in supporting and promoting the program. He gave an introductory presentation detailing the program's implementation and achievements, including the graduation of over 3,000 teachers and the transition to the third phase—preparing the self-study report for CAEP accreditation. He also reviewed the alignment of the program with Jordan's National Qualifications Framework and the ongoing policy and curriculum reviews to meet current needs.
The presentation highlighted the program's expansion in terms of student enrollment, number of trainers, and partner schools from both public and private sectors. New subject areas such as Social Studies and Islamic Education were recently added to the current offerings, which include Arabic, English, Mathematics, Science, and Classroom Teaching. Three new specializations are expected to be added in the 2025–2026 academic year: Special Education, Vocational Education, and Counseling.
Other accomplishments included coordination meetings with various university departments to support accreditation efforts, orientation sessions with public and private school principals, and increased promotion and employment of program graduates in private schools. This was achieved in collaboration with advisory council members, including Dr. Raed Abu Zaid, General Supervisor of Ayla International Schools, Dora Al-Zarqa Schools, and Skills International Schools, and in coordination with Dr. Nasreen Al-Afeshat, Partnership Leader and School Experience Coordinator for the program.
The meeting also addressed key challenges facing the program, with proposed solutions discussed collaboratively with the advisory council members.
Attendees included:
- Dr. Sahar Abu Helo, Assistant Dean for International Accreditation and Global Rankings
- Dr. Moayad Al-Khawaldeh, Assistant Dean for the Postgraduate Diploma Program
- Dr. Omar Al-Khattatbeh, Director of the Teacher Preparation Program
- Dr. Nasreen Al-Afeshat, Partnership Leader and School Experience Coordinator
- Dr. Raed Mofleh Abu Zaid, General Supervisor of Ayla International Schools, Dora Al-Zarqa Schools, and Skills International Schools
- Ms. Heba Abu Jabara, representative from the Queen Rania Teacher Academy
- Ms. Abeer Jawad Shaheen, instructional mentor
- Ms. Rana Mohammad Arab, a graduate of the program and a teacher at the Ministry of Education
Mr. Yaseen Qadri Hosni Abdul Kareem, a current student in the program