The German-Jordanian University (GJU) was founded in 2005 by a Royal Decree, in accordance with a Memorandum of Understanding reached between the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of the Federal Republic of Germany. The university follows the model of the German fachhochschulen, Universities of Applied Sciences. These Universities are mainly characterized by their philosophy of strict relation to practice and their application oriented approach to knowledge transfer. The University has grown both in size and stature over the past two years. It has positioned itself a leading institution of higher learning, known for its dedication to service, its innovative approach to academic management and human resource development, and its relentless pursuit of excellence in all fields of applied research and instruction. As chartered, the University is a governmental institution with a considerable degree of autonomy.

Experts agree that this approach is just as needed and important for the labor market in Jordan and the Middle East Region as it has proven to be for the German labor market. The vision for the new institution is to play a pivotal role in the socio-economic and professional development in Jordan and its mission is to provide life-long learning and continuing education. This initiative has gained both the financial and the ideological support of the governments and the private sectors in Germany and Jordan.

A Board of Trustees, appointed by a Royal Decree for finite terms, governs the University. The University is managed according to a set of laws and bylaws specifically adopted for higher education in general and for GJU in particular.

The University is linked to many other universities through bilateral agreements for co-operation, collaboration, and exchange of faculty members and students. These include regional Arab universities, as well as European, North American, and Asian universities.

The University is intended to serve as a unique university of applied training, experiential learning and professional excellence oriented towards market and industry needs. It is thus expected to have its remarkable impact on Jordan and the region as a whole, by capitalizing on the best practices and expertise in higher education in both countries. The University has an objective to prepare highly skilled graduates with the relevant knowledge for the industry, and to contribute positively to the socio-economic development, to be able to survive today's fiercely competitive and technologically oriented world, to boost industrial and economic standing in Jordan and in the region.

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Background

The Vision of the German-Jordanian University is to Become regionally recognized university for higher education excellence in the fields of applied engineering, technology, sciences, and management.

The university will be committed to the values of

• Academic quality and relevance to market needs, technical excellence, and experiences in modern sciences and technologies

• Integrated learning, cultural diversity and multi-language skills

• Knowledge of contemporary issues and preparation for professional practice and global and societal leadership

• High ethical standards and character, including integrity, responsibility, honesty, and respect for others

• Desire and skills for life-long learning and personal and professional development

• Progressive and Motivating Climate to foster creativity and innovation.

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The mission of the German-Jordanian University comprises the following components:

• Nurture high-tech research atmosphere to attract highly qualified academics with long industrial experiences and promote scientific business

• Provide quality and relevant education to students while emphasizing a necessity for integrating hands-on learning laboratories, soft skills, capstone projects, and field training

• Continuously develop and update both undergraduate and graduate degree plans to meet ever-changing industrial needs and requirements   

• Develop highly technical, multilingual and multicultural professional competencies able to contribute to the global competitive market

• Promote private sector partnerships at various levels and maintain sustainable industry linkages

• Promote an alumni network for lifelong learning

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• Establish a solid educational system that has both theoretical and practical industrial orientation.

• Develop a strong internship program in coordination with the local and the German industry, where students are exposed to various disciplines and practical experiences during their technical and non-technical training.

• Attract professors with strong academic credentials and potential industrial experiences.

• Promote the German-Jordanian University at the national and international levels.

• Establish enthusiastic governance structure that can create comfortable, productive, and cooperative working environment.

• Provide on-campus computing and recreation facilities available to staff and students.

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School of Applied Natural Sciences-The school has built on its strengths in different programs and technologies by developing a wide range of cooperative arrangements with industry and business via its Programs and through staff innovations. The Programs are in the way to make agreements with industry sponsors. The innovative GJU Cooperation Program provides money and industry training to selected undergraduate students in the various disciplines.

School of Technological Sciences-FESTO Partnership: German Jordanian University and the International German automation leader FESTO established a center of excellence FESTO FACT Center to provide state-of-the-art equipments, software and technology to train not only our students but also the industry. The training programs will focus on the following modules: basics of pneumatics and hydraulics, advances courses in pneumatics and hydraulics, programmable logic controllers and industrial communications (PLC's), process control, Mechatronics of food industry, Mechatronics of chemical industry, Mechatronics of packaging and material handling, maintenance and troubleshooting of Mechatronics Systems.

Industry Partnership and Linkage: The School is continuously reaching different local and international companies in order to build strategic partners in training and employing our graduates. Several proposals are still under consideration such as establishing a facility to design and manufacture machines and production lines by using high Mechatronics and automation technologies. Two of the faculty members participated during the summer in the national Faculty for Factory program in order to gain the needed experience to solve the real industrial problems.

School of Applied Medical Sciences-In recognition of our desire to create the best, most modern educational programs for our students, the school is in the process of creating industry-centred advisory boards for each department. We envision that this process will involve cooperation between our school and a wide-variety of relevant industries in all aspects of our programs, from strategic planning to course evaluation and review. As the market changes, these ties with our partners will help to keep our programs on the cutting-edge of technology and position our students as the new leaders of their generation.

Talal Abu Ghazaleh College of Business-The School is the real industry link since Talal Abu Ghazaleh organization is an international, regional, and local leader in industry. TAGCB is thriving to establish new links with industry such as the recently signed agreement with ARAMEX to establish a training Center on campus for the purpose of enhancing the hands-on training in the fields of logistics sciences and industrial engineering in addition to the scholarships for students in the Logistics sciences program.

School of Informatics and Computing-The School has a setup of several innovative and unique facilities:

• Center of Information Technology & Systems – responsible of the strategic evolution of        University's computing infrastructure and services, networking and communication services, support of the academic programs, use of technology in teaching and learning, administrative enterprise applications, financial and procurement services, academic computing support and services, user services, information security, maintenance support, installation procedures, and helpdesk services.

• Technology incubator - NewTek – IBM – to focus on R&D in Open Source and Software        implementations

• Virtual Dynamic Data Center – GCE – Fujitsu Siemens – to focus on technology testing and diagnosis

• Microsoft Authorized Academy for Business Solution (MBS) in cooperation with Talal Abu       Ghazaleh School of Business– To provide training services on Microsoft Dynamics on Financial Management, Supply Chain Management and customer Relationship Management

• Sun Authorized Academic Institution (SAI) in cooperation with Talal Abu Ghazaleh School of Business – To provide training services on Sun Java technology and Sun Solaris administration.

The School thrives to build strong industry relations to better understand the industry needs and requirements and be able to qualify graduates that acquire the right technical knowledge and practical experiences. The School has formed an Industry Advisory Board to oversee the School strategic planning, its curricula development process, and to assist in building a rather unique and dynamic ICT educational model that fosters the cooperation between higher education systems and ICT industries in both Germany and Jordan.

German IT Network

The School consults continuously with the IT network in Germany on the curricula, hosting students for one academic semester and student placement in the German Industry for 6 months. The theme of the IT network has been to setup a continuous dialogue and coordination process to achieve the following goals:

• Develop unique IT programs at the German-Jordanian University driven by a rather dynamic curriculum that is designed according to international standards and that meets the changing IT industry requirements and needs in Jordan and the region.

• Introduce modern, student-centered teaching methodologies through skills-transfer and        capacity building.

• Develop a model for the efficient training of students at companies/industry in Germany and support the German-Jordanian University in providing high quality graduates with

relevant knowledge and skills to the local market

School of Architecture and Design-The School is developing a wide range of cooperation with local architectural firms through staff innovations. These will be developed into cooperative agreements that also cover regional and international firms. The School is studying the possibility of establishing a production unit that provides consultations in architecture and design to the community.

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Student and School Statistics:

Student and Faculty Statistics are still being finalized.

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Contact Information

The University is currently located in the Royal Scientific Society in Al-Jubeiha of in the city Amman, the capital of Jordan.

Current contact information is:

P.O. Box: 35247 Amman 11180 Jordan

Telephone: +962-6-530-0666

Fax: +962-6-534-1573

Email: info@gju.edu.jo

In the future, the university will move to its permanent campus located in ElMushaqar region in the city of Madaba 20 Kilometers south of Amman, the capital of Jordan.

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Organizational Chart

Organizational Chart (pdf)

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