The School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan organized a seminar on "The Practical Procedures for International Accreditation of Educational Programs (CAEP)," presented by Dr. Hanfu Mai, a visiting Fulbright scholar from the University of Illinois Springfield, USA. The seminar was attended by the Dean of the School, Professor Dr. Mohammad Sael Alzyoud, School members, and was organized and managed by Dr. Sahar Abu Hlou, Assistant Dean for International Accreditation and Global Rankings.

Professor Dr. Alzyoud commended the valuable seminar presented by Dr. Hanfu, emphasizing that international accreditation is one of the key pillars the School strives for to ensure the improvement of academic education quality. He added that the School will continue working on applying international standards across all its academic programs to contribute to the development of education and equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to meet the demands of the job market with efficiency and professionalism. Dr. Alzyoud also stressed the importance of continuing to organize seminars and workshops that promote the culture of quality and international accreditations, which support practical efforts to obtain international accreditation and implement academic quality standards.

Dr. Hanfu discussed that international accreditation for educational programs is a process designed to ensure that academic institutions and educational programs adhere to global standards of educational quality. Accreditation by international bodies is a pivotal step to guarantee that educational programs provide education aligned with the needs of students and the global market. He highlighted the benefits of obtaining international accreditation, including enhancing the institution's global reputation, increasing its ability to attract international students, improving the standing of academic programs, and boosting opportunities for cooperation with global educational institutions. Dr. Hanfu emphasized that international accreditation serves as a measure of quality in education, building trust in program graduates among employers and the academic community.

Discussing the practical steps for obtaining international accreditation, Dr. Hanfu outlined the detailed process, beginning with a self-assessment phase, where the institution conducts a comprehensive evaluation of its educational programs to ensure compliance with internationally recognized standards. This includes verifying the quality of curricula, the competence of School members, and the effectiveness of teaching methods. Following this is the phase of meeting international standards, requiring the institution to provide documents and certifications demonstrating its adherence to these standards, including details about curricula, evaluation mechanisms, and learning outcomes. The next phase is the on-site visit, where the accrediting body visits the institution and assesses it through interviews with School and students and by inspecting educational facilities and academic activities. In the final stage, periodic reports are submitted after accreditation to ensure ongoing compliance with the standards, and this may include additional site visits to verify continuous improvements in educational quality.

Dr. Hanfu also emphasized the vital role School members play in meeting international accreditation standards. School members are responsible for designing and delivering curricula that adhere to global standards. Continuous interaction with students and providing academic support contribute to achieving accreditation goals. He added that School members must actively participate in the self-assessment process by providing constructive feedback on teaching methods and curricula, while also improving their academic and research skills in line with global developments. Additionally, they must ensure that student outcomes align with internationally recognized standards, which requires adapting teaching and assessment methods to meet the latest developments in their fields of expertise.

Dr. Hanfu also discussed some of the challenges educational institutions face in seeking international accreditation, such as resistance to change from certain stakeholders within the institution and the need for sufficient financial and human resources to support the accreditation process. He emphasized that overcoming these challenges requires a collective commitment from both the institution's administration and School members to achieve quality standards. Furthermore, he stressed the importance of collaboration between various academic and administrative departments to support accreditation goals and foster a motivating and fruitful educational environment.

At the end of the seminar, attendees praised the importance of the topic discussed and the role such events play in enhancing the culture of quality and international accreditation in educational institutions. They also emphasized the need to learn from global experiences to achieve academic excellence and ensure competitive educational outcomes both locally and internationally.