Al-salt: Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU) has officially concluded a landmark joint development project conducted in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).
According to Jordan News Agency, the initiative, implemented between 2020 and 2026, successfully aimed to enhance the quality, relevance, and sustainability of associate diploma programs at Irbid University College and Karak University College. The project achieved tangible outcomes, including the establishment or renovation of 24 technical training laboratories and the provision of advanced educational equipment over six years.
The partnership also led to the development or substantial modernization of seven associate diploma programs, such as electric and hybrid vehicle maintenance, dental technology, graphic design, and welding. These programs were meticulously aligned with contemporary labor market demands. To support these updated curricula, 139 specialized textbooks were produced, emphasizing applied learning.
The efforts have yielded significant results, with approximately 4,000 students graduating from the supported programs and over 5,000 students benefiting from career guidance, employability support, and job preparation initiatives. During the closing ceremony, attended by a distinguished assembly of official and academic representatives, H.E. Mr. Kim Pil-woo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Jordan, praised the project as a vital investment in the future of Jordanian youth.
He noted that these joint efforts have directly addressed youth unemployment, reaffirming Korea's commitment to supporting Jordan's socio-economic development through education and vocational training. Professor Ahmad Fakhri Al-Ajlouni, President of Al-Balqa Applied University, described the project as a model of international development partnership focused on knowledge exchange and capacity building. The initiative, valued at approximately USD 10 million, aimed to modernize academic programs and build the professional capacities of staff and students through specialized training and collaboration with Korean experts.
A key component of this success was the establishment of Career Development Centers (CDCs), bridging the gap between education and the labor market. The project advances the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) concerning quality education, decent work, and industrial innovation, underscoring the shared vision of Jordan and the Republic of Korea to use technical and applied education as a foundation for sustainable development.