The German newspaper Stuttgarter Zeitung published an in-depth report titled “Lernen in zwei Welten” (Learning in Two Worlds), highlighting the German Jordanian University (GJU) as a unique academic model that combines university education with practical training. The report reflects the depth of the educational partnership between Jordan and Germany, as well as the University’s role in preparing graduates who are well qualified for the international labor market.
The report noted that GJU, established in 2005 by Royal Decree, is one of Jordan’s ten public universities and the only one that adopts the German model of Universities of Applied Sciences, with a strong emphasis on practical, industry-oriented education in a higher education system traditionally focused on theoretical learning.
According to the report, the university’s main campus, located in Madaba since 2012, features modern infrastructure and advanced academic facilities designed to support innovation and applied learning, including specialized buildings and state-of-the-art laboratories serving its various academic programs.
The newspaper highlighted that all GJU undergraduate students are required to study the German language intensively, with one hour of instruction daily as part of their academic curriculum. This is delivered through the German Language Center at GJU, which employs around 80 instructors and serves more than 3,000 students, enabling them to integrate academically and professionally during their mandatory study year in Germany.
A key pillar of the GJU experience, the report emphasized, is the compulsory “Germany Year,” during which students spend one academic semester at a partner German university, followed by a practical internship in German companies and industrial institutions, including major firms such as Mercedes-Benz, as well as organizations in engineering, information technology, transport, and energy sectors.
The report stated that GJU currently enrolls approximately 5,000 students across nearly 30 academic programs offered by eight faculties, covering engineering disciplines, information technology, renewable energy, architecture, social work, and nursing. It also noted the growing demand for computing and IT-related programs, which have witnessed significant growth in student numbers over the past two years.
The newspaper further underlined GJU’s extensive academic network, which includes partnerships with more than 120 German universities, among them Aalen University of Applied Sciences. These partnerships facilitate the annual placement of GJU students across Germany through a coordinated academic framework designed to accommodate the steadily increasing number of participants in the coming years.
Stuttgarter Zeitung reported that GJU graduates enjoy high employability rates, particularly in the IT sector, where more than 90 percent of graduates secure employment shortly after graduation, despite high unemployment levels in the region. Graduates are in demand in Jordan, Germany, and the Gulf countries, thanks to their strong practical skills, international exposure, and adaptability.
The report also highlighted the personal and professional impact of the Germany experience, noting that students return more mature, independent, and capable of taking responsibility—qualities highly valued by employers and reflected in the strong reputation of GJU graduates.
To read the report in the newspaper, click here