Amman: The President of the University of Jordan, Nathir Obaidat, met with Kim So Young, the Director of the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in Jordan, and her delegation to discuss the establishment of the Korean Institute for Engineering Training.
According to Jordan News Agency, Obaidat emphasized the university’s readiness to provide all necessary facilities to ensure the project’s success, expressing satisfaction with the ongoing cooperation between the university and KOICA. He underscored the university’s global reputation, highlighted by its recognized programs, and its appeal to international students, positioning it as a globally-oriented institution. Obaidat also stressed the importance of preparing graduates to compete on an international scale.
Kim So Young stated that the next phase would involve developing an integrated executive plan for the project, preceding the signing of the final agreement. She expressed pride in collaborating with the University of Jordan.
A representative from KOICA revealed that the institute would be established with an $11 million budget from KOICA, as part of a five-year project spanning 2025-2029. The initiative aims to develop infrastructure, curricula, and staff training, enhancing collaboration between the university and industry to improve engineering graduates’ skills.
University project representatives, Riyad Kasasbeh and Osama Habahbeh, presented the project’s vision and goals, emphasizing its aim to bridge the gap between educational outcomes and market demands by offering practical training in fields such as cybersecurity systems, green energy, industrial automation, and artificial intelligence.
They noted that the project draws inspiration from best practices in countries like South Korea, Singapore, and Germany, aiming to establish an effective partnership between the academic and industrial sectors for high-quality educational outputs.
The total project budget is $16 million, with KOICA contributing $11 million to cover building, laboratory, training, and administration costs, while the University of Jordan will provide $5 million for land, infrastructure, and management.