The workshop focused on reviewing global trends and leading practices in adult education and lifelong learning, as well as their role in human and community development.
In his keynote address, Dr. Al-Zyoud emphasized that adult education is not merely an additional knowledge activity, but a strategic investment in human capital that contributes to sustainable development, enhances workforce efficiency, and broadens community participation. He highlighted the Jordanian experience, which successfully reduced the illiteracy rate from 88% in 1952 to less than 5% by the end of 2024, thanks to literacy programs and national initiatives in lifelong learning.
Dr. Al-Zyoud also presented the University of Jordan’s experience in offering diverse educational programs that combine academic, professional, and training dimensions, aligned with local and global labor market demands. He explained that these programs grant specialized degrees in addition to training courses in vital fields such as artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, institutional leadership, innovation, and languages. They also include applied programs in soft and digital skills, as well as micro-credentials designed to meet the needs of different segments of society.
He further discussed the major challenges facing this sector, including limited funding, the weak reach of programs to remote areas, and the need to link training with actual labor market requirements.
Dr. Al-Zyoud stressed the pivotal role of universities and community centers in delivering targeted training programs, particularly in English language, information technology, and professional skills development.
In comparing international experiences, he noted that the United Kingdom has established strong traditions in open education and modular certification systems, while community colleges in the United States have become major providers of lifelong learning. Germany, on the other hand, has presented an advanced model through its extensive network of adult education centers and its dual education system that integrates theoretical study with practical training.
He also outlined future global trends in this field, such as digital transformation, the use of artificial intelligence to personalize learning pathways, and the expansion of micro-credentials and short programs in response to changing labor market demands. He emphasized that these shifts require Jordan to adopt flexible national policies that respond to the requirements of the digital and green economy.
As part of his recommendations, Dr. Al-Zyoud called for the development of a national framework for micro-credentials linked to professional pathways, strengthening partnerships between universities and the private sector to design competency-based programs, and investing in digital platforms to broaden their use among marginalized groups, refugees, and underprivileged populations.
He concluded by stressing that adult education and lifelong learning are strategic pillars for building more knowledgeable, resilient, and participatory societies, urging their integration into national human development strategies, and enhancing international and research collaboration to exchange expertise and develop evaluation tools capable of measuring the real impact of educational programs.
It is worth noting that the international workshop was attended by leaders and experts from the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Social Development, the Associations Register, the Jordanian National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, and the University of Jordan represented by the School of Educational Sciences, alongside representatives of civil society organizations.
The participants reviewed leading international models and experiences, as well as the cultural and historical contexts of lifelong learning and its economic and social dimensions. The Ministry of Education also presented a draft regulation on adult education and lifelong learning as a pathway to development. Discussions included the role of associations, future prospects, and the academic and empowerment aspects of lifelong learning.
The workshop concluded with an emphasis on the need to elevate adult education to advanced levels and integrate it into national and academic policies, making it a cornerstone for building a learning and sustainable society.