Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU) has officially concluded a landmark joint development project conducted in partnership with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). Implemented between 2020 and 2026, the initiative successfully sought to enhance the quality, relevance, and sustainability of associate diploma programs at Irbid University College and Karak University College. Over this six-year implementation period, the project achieved a series of tangible and institutionalized outcomes, including the establishment or renovation of 24 technical training laboratories and the provision of advanced educational equipment. Furthermore, the partnership facilitated the development or substantial modernization of seven associate diploma programs - ranging from electric and hybrid vehicle maintenance and dental technology to graphic design and welding - all meticulously aligned with contemporary labor market demands.

To support these updated curricula and emphasize applied learning, the project produced 139 specialized textbooks. These comprehensive efforts have already yielded significant results, with approximately 4,000 students successfully graduating from the supported programs and more than 5,000 students benefiting from integrated career guidance, employability support, and job preparation initiatives. During the closing ceremony, which was 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’s successful outcomes as a vital investment in the future of the Jordanian youth. He noted that these joint efforts have contributed directly to addressing youth unemployment, reaffirming Korea’s unwavering commitment to supporting Jordan’s socio-economic development through the pillars of education and vocational training.

Professor Ahmad Fakhri Al-Ajlouni, President of Al-Balqa Applied University, characterized the project as a premier model of international development partnership rooted in knowledge exchange and capacity building. He explained that the initiative, valued at approximately USD 10 million, focused on modernizing academic programs while simultaneously building 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), which serve to bridge the gap between education and the labor market. Ultimately, this project advances the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) regarding quality education, decent work, and industrial innovation, underscoring the shared vision of Jordan and the Republic of Korea to utilize technical and applied education as a foundation for long-term sustainable development.