Professor Dr. Mohammad Sayel Al-Zayoud, Dean of the School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan, received a delegation from the German Adult Education Association (DVV International), which included Ms. Barbara Hohmann, Regional Director for the Middle East, and Mr. Jawad Al-Qassous. The visit aimed to strengthen academic cooperation and exchange expertise in the field of adult education.
The meeting reflected a shared interest in advancing adult education as a fundamental pillar for supporting economic and social transformation. Both sides discussed prospects for establishing a long-term strategic partnership based on knowledge exchange, joint program implementation, and the launch of high-impact initiatives addressing contemporary challenges—most notably digital transformation, the demands of the knowledge economy, and rapidly evolving labor market patterns.
The discussions included practical proposals for designing and implementing micro-credential programs aligned with international quality assurance and accreditation standards. These programs would enable learners to acquire measurable, specialized skills within short timeframes, with the possibility of stacking them into flexible academic and professional pathways. The two parties also explored launching specialized training workshops targeting teachers, trainers, and professionals in civil society organizations, in addition to organizing an international scientific conference on adult education to serve as a dialogue platform for academics, policymakers, and representatives of productive sectors.
Both sides emphasized the importance of aligning proposed programs with real labor market needs and involving the private sector in their design to ensure relevance to required professional competencies. They also stressed the need to develop effective assessment tools to measure the impact of such programs on beneficiaries and society, thereby enhancing the quality and sustainability of outcomes.
During the meeting, Dr. Al-Zayoud highlighted the University of Jordan’s experience in building an integrated system of academic, professional, and training programs that combine academic rigor with practical flexibility. He noted that the university continuously aligns its outputs with global standards and the requirements of the digital economy to enhance graduate readiness and competitiveness.
He further explained that the School offers specialized academic degrees and that expanding micro-credentials represents a strategic direction for the university, given their flexibility and ability to provide continuous professional development opportunities for diverse learner groups.
Dr. Al-Zayoud stressed that adult education is no longer a supplementary activity but a national necessity and a long-term investment in human capital. It plays a critical role in strengthening community participation, increasing productivity, and ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities. He affirmed that developing flexible national policies in this field requires coordinated efforts among universities, ministries, civil society institutions, and international partners within a clear collaborative vision.
For their part, the representatives of the German Adult Education Association commended the academic standing of the University of Jordan and expressed their readiness to provide technical expertise in adult education, develop training programs, and organize academic meetings and workshops to facilitate knowledge transfer and localize best practices in the field.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both parties agreed to organize follow-up meetings between specialized teams to develop an executive roadmap with a clear timeline for the proposed collaborative projects. They also agreed to work toward signing a Memorandum of Understanding to formalize future cooperation—further strengthening the University of Jordan’s position as a regional center of excellence in adult and continuing education and reinforcing its role in community service and sustainable development.