Amman, Oct. 16 (Petra) – Chairperson of the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC) Dhafer Sarayrah on Thursday met with an Azerbaijani academic delegation representing the State Agency for Science and Higher Education and the Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University to discuss prospects for cooperation in accreditation, quality assurance, and higher education development.
Sarayrah presented the Commission’s mandate and its pivotal role in advancing the Kingdom’s higher education system, noting that Jordan currently has 10 public universities, 18 private universities, and several specialized medical universities operating under the Commission’s oversight. He said the Commission ensures adherence to internationally recognized academic standards across all institutions.
He added that the Commission has received international recognition from the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), authorizing it to accredit medical programs in Jordan and across the region. He also said the Commission is currently reviewing the accreditation of medical faculties in Syria, Palestine, and Iraq, underscoring Jordan’s regional leadership in quality assurance.
Sarayrah highlighted the improved performance of Jordanian universities in global rankings and emphasized that genuine academic quality should be the foundation of such classification. He noted that the Commission is preparing to launch a national classification framework for university academic programs aimed at enhancing competitiveness and strengthening academic standards.
The Azerbaijani delegation expressed interest in deepening academic collaboration with Jordanian universities, particularly in the areas of accreditation, quality assurance, and research exchange. The delegation’s representative underscored Azerbaijan’s commitment to implementing joint academic programs and research initiatives within the framework of its national internationalization strategy.
Members of the delegation also shared Azerbaijan’s experience in international accreditation and its cooperation with European universities, stressing the importance of partnering with the AQAC to exchange expertise and harmonize accreditation standards to enhance the quality of higher education in both countries.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides underlined their commitment to strengthening collaboration through mutual accreditation programs, joint research projects, and the organization of scientific conferences between Jordanian and Azerbaijani universities.
//Petra// AJ
