Amman, Oct. 7 (Petra) -- The Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (int@j) held a meeting with professors from various Jordanian universities in the field of information technology to introduce the "Tech Forward" initiative. The program aims to align university graduation projects with market needs and transform them into practical solutions that support Jordan’s digital economy.

According to a statement issued by the association on Tuesday, the meeting featured extensive discussions on ways to enhance and expand the initiative, ensuring that graduation projects are leveraged to meet the needs of local and regional companies and contribute to Jordan’s ongoing digital transformation.

Nidal Bitar, CEO of int@j, emphasized that the initiative serves as a practical bridge connecting academic education with labor market demands.

He noted that the initiative, supported by the "Innovative private sector development approaches for employment promotion" project implemented by German Development Cooperation (GIZ), aligns with the goals of Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision, particularly in the areas of innovation, digital transformation, and creating high-quality job opportunities for youth.

Jafar Shahabat, Director of the "Tech Forward" initiative at int@j, explained that the program aims to foster a shared language between academia and the business sector by engaging professors and students with companies from the early stages. This, he said, helps ensure that academic ideas are transformed into market-ready products and services that address real-world demands.

For his part, René Roesler, representative of the German Development Cooperation, stressed the importance of connecting Jordanian university students with the labor market, describing Jordan’s experience as progressive in supporting youth and engaging them in practical economic solutions.

//Petra// WH