Amman:The Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC) has launched a process to oversee and assess bachelor's degree specializations across 12 academic fields within Jordanian higher education institutions. This initiative is part of a two-year strategy aimed at enhancing the practical aspects and digital skills of bachelor's programs to better align with labor market demands.
According to Jordan News Agency, the announcement was made by AQAC President Dhafer Sarayreh during a virtual meeting attended by over 600 university officials, including vice presidents, deans, and department heads. The meeting outlined the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and set targets for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Sarayreh emphasized the commission's efforts, in collaboration with universities and specialized academic committees, to transition academic programs from a theoretical focus to a practical, applied approach. The initiative also aims to boost students' digital skills, incorporating artificial intelligence applications and modern technologies tailored to each specialization.
The targeted fields for the 2026-2027 academic year include media, architecture, business and economics, allied medical sciences, sports, veterinary medicine, agriculture, arts and humanities, fine arts, languages, tourism and antiquities, and social sciences. These areas will be monitored using eight measurable criteria and indicators, such as practical components, field training, and courses with digital skills.
Sarayreh highlighted that the practical component should constitute at least 50% of specialization credit hours, with mandatory field training of at least three credit hours. Additionally, digital skills should be integrated into at least 30% of courses, and project-based courses should comprise no less than 50% of the credit hours.
The commission also aims to enhance partnerships between universities and the labor sectors, creating effective training environments and integrating digital skills into academic courses. These measures are intended to ensure that students acquire practical and digital skills relevant to their fields.
Previously, AQAC had monitored bachelor's programs in information technology under a separate four-year development plan. Sarayreh reiterated that developing academic programs is an ongoing process requiring collaboration with universities, with the goal of improving learning outcomes and preparing students for the workforce.
The meeting featured a presentation by Commission Assistant President Fida Al-Tamimi on the implementation mechanisms and performance indicators. This was followed by discussions with university deans and department heads regarding the application of these standards and the follow-up on study plans. The meeting underscores AQAC's commitment to enhancing the quality of academic programs and aligning them with evolving labor market needs.