GJU Dual Studies Program Yields Success with Impactful Collaborations on Graduation Projects
In 2023, 12 Dual Studies students successfully completed their bachelor's theses in collaboration with partner companies as part of the Dual Studies program. A growing trend of approaches not only benefits students but also proves profitable for partner companies, providing a tangible return on investment.
We showcase two exemplary cases: Mohammad Aboalrob, who collaborated with Aqaba Logistics Village (ALV), and Layan Jarrar, who worked with IKEA. Both made substantial contributions in addressing challenges faced by their respective partner companies through their research.
Mohammad worked closely with the General Manager of ALV to enhance the operations of ALV's Container Freight Station (CFS) warehouse, addressing challenges associated with diverse products and unpredictable demand. The primary goal was to introduce practical improvements, optimizing space utilization, streamlining workflow efficiency, and ensuring safety. These changes aimed to create a more efficient and secure warehouse environment, reducing delays, enhancing quality control, and ultimately contributing to overall operational excellence.
Hakam Abulfeilat, ALV's General Manager, provides insight into the collaboration: “At ALV, we pride ourselves on being the first partner for GJU's pioneering Dual Studies program. The partnership has developed remarkably for 5 years, creating a great success story for both ALV and GJU. GJU's Dual Studies students are always enthusiastic and have always involved well with ALV employees and ALV's vision.”
The second student, Layan, described her experience: "As a Dual-Studies student majoring in Logistics Sciences, I interned at IKEA/Jordan from 2021 to 2023. During my time at IKEA, I recognized the need for improvement in forklift and picker staff routes. Consequently, I conducted a thorough analysis of the current warehouse operations, employing a state-of-the-art heat map analysis. The heat map generated provided a visual representation, allowing me to work with the logistics team at IKEA to strategically organize the warehouse layout for maximum efficiency. By addressing operational challenges and leveraging a data-driven approach to enhancing operational effectiveness, my project successfully optimized operational routes, reducing time per order and significantly enhancing overall efficiency, as well as achieving a notable reduction in costs for IKEA/Jordan."
Borhan AlQadere, IKEA’s ISL, Warehouse Operation Group Leader, who supported the project, stated: “Student Layan Jarrar contributed greatly to activating the heat map and worked hard on her great project, which was reflected in our logistical operations. This project contributed to providing larger storage spaces and reducing the effort expended by our employees. It also contributed to reducing the movement of machinery inside our warehouses, leading to an increase in the security and safety factor. This partnership between IKEA Jordan and GJU is a great investment for the future. We hope it will continue forever.”
On the GJU side, Engineer Saja Al-Khasawneh supervised the work of both students and shared her experience guiding and supporting them: “I am excited to highlight the impactful collaboration between the German Jordanian University (GJU) and industry partners, exemplified by the outstanding achievements of the two graduating students. Their projects not only showcase the students' ability to bridge theory and practical application but also demonstrate the substantial contributions that GJU students can make to industry partners. The fruitful collaboration between GJU and industry partners continues to nurture the next generation of professionals, emphasizing the real-world impact of academic-industry cooperation."
