Amman, Sept. 30 (Petra)-- President of the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC) Dhafer Sarayreh announced Wednesday that the commission has begun procedures to monitor and evaluate bachelor's degree specializations in 12 academic fields at Jordanian higher education institutions as part of its two-year plan aimed at strengthening the practical component and digital skills in bachelor's programs and aligning learning outcomes with labor market needs.
The announcement was made during a remote meeting held by the commission, attended by more than 600 vice presidents, deans, department heads, and quality and accreditation officials at Jordanian universities, to present the monitoring and evaluation mechanism and the targets for the 2026/2027 academic year.
Sarayreh stressed that the commission is working, in coordination with universities and specialized academic committees, to shift academic programs from a focus on the theoretical side to the practical, applied side and to enhance the digital skills students need to enter the labor market, including the use of artificial intelligence applications and modern technologies in line with the nature of each specialization.
He explained that the targeted fields during the 2026-2027 academic year include media, architecture, business and economics, allied medical sciences, sports, veterinary medicine, agriculture, arts and humanities, fine arts, languages, tourism and antiquities, and social sciences.
He noted that the commission will monitor these specializations through specialized committees according to eight measurable criteria and indicators: the practical component, field training, training sites, courses with digital skills, project-based courses, linkage with industry, professional certificates for faculty members, and micro-credentials for students.
Sarayreh pointed out that the monitoring targets include that the practical component including laboratories, practical courses, workshops, practical training, and applied graduation projects should not be less than 50% of specialization credit hours, in addition to allocating at least three credit hours for mandatory field training, incorporating digital skills in at least 30% of specialization courses, and adopting project-based courses at no less than 50% of specialization credit hours.
He added that the commission also focuses on strengthening partnerships between universities and labor sectors, providing specialized and effective training environments, and linking digital skills to academic courses in line with the nature of each specialization, ensuring students acquire applicable practical and digital skills.
He noted that the commission had previously monitored bachelor's programs in information technology under a four-year development plan.
Sarayreh stressed that developing academic programs is a continuous process requiring effective partnership with universities, emphasizing the importance of these measures being reflected in learning outcomes and students' readiness to transition to the labor market.
The meeting included a detailed presentation on implementation mechanisms and targeted performance indicators, delivered by Commission Assistant President Fida Al-Tamimi, followed by a discussion with deans and department heads on mechanisms for applying the standards and following up on study plans.
The meeting comes within the AQAC's efforts to develop the higher education system, enhance the quality of academic programs, and align their outcomes with the changing requirements of the labor market.
//Petra// AF
