Amman:The Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC), in collaboration with the British Council and the UK's University of Strathclyde, has introduced a curriculum design toolkit aimed at aligning higher education programs with Jordan's National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and labor market demands.
According to Jordan News Agency, AQAC President Dhafer Sarayreh announced that over 80% of university qualifications would be integrated into the NQF by the end of 2025, with the remaining programs to be completed by 2026. The framework's development began in 2019 following Cabinet approval and continued in 2021, with universities applying for inclusion starting in 2022. Efforts to place qualifications within the framework advanced in 2023 and continued through 2024, incorporating general, higher, vocational, and technical education. The inclusion of general education and vocational and technical training institutions began in 2025.
Sarayreh emphasized the initiative's goal to enhance education quality, ensuring graduates possess the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies sought by employers. British Council Jordan Director Ruth Cocks highlighted the partnership's role in fostering the exchange of expertise between Jordan and the UK, aiding the framework's implementation. She described the toolkit as a practical connection between education policy and classroom execution, assisting academic leaders and faculty in designing curricula that meet the needs of students, employers, and society.
Dr. Sean Morrissey and Professor Fiona Smart from the University of Strathclyde explained that the toolkit, developed over three years of collaboration, leverages the university's BOLD curriculum design framework. The project involved 25 Jordanian universities and 100 academics and education professionals, focusing on learning outcomes, assessment methods, teaching strategies, and practical curriculum design tools.
The toolkit is designed to improve the alignment of academic programs and courses, connect learning outcomes with assessment and feedback, and minimize repetitive assessments and excessive student workloads. It offers guidance on backward curriculum design, integrating technology and AI, and is intended for both developing new programs and enhancing existing ones through regular reviews and evaluations.