وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي في الأردن

Overview

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHE) of Jordan is the central governmental authority responsible for overseeing and regulating higher education, scientific research, and innovation in the country. Established in 1985 under Law No. (28) for the year 1985, the Ministry's mission is to develop and promote high-quality tertiary education and research, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and enhance the skills and capabilities of the Jordanian workforce. It formulates policies, strategies, and plans to guide the higher education sector in Jordan, ensuring alignment with national development goals and international standards.

Historical and Legal Framework

The origins of the Ministry date back to 1982 when the Council of Higher Education was established to address the increasing demand for regulating and planning higher education policies. In 1985, the Council was renamed the Ministry of Higher Education, and in 2001, it was re-established by Royal Decree to assume the responsibility of supervising and controlling both public and private higher education institutions. The Ministry operates under the legal framework provided by the Law of Higher Education No. 23 (2009), which outlines its duties and powers, as well as the responsibilities of the Higher Education Council and the Scientific Research Support Fund. Additionally, the Jordanian Universities Law No. 20 (2009) governs the operations of universities in the country.

Mission, Vision, and Objectives in Higher Education

The Ministry's vision is to achieve a competitive and innovative higher education system that contributes to sustainable development and meets the needs of the labor market. Its mission is to develop and promote high-quality tertiary education and research, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and enhance the skills and capabilities of the Jordanian workforce. The Ministry's objectives include:

• Enhancing access to quality higher education.
• Promoting research and innovation.
• Aligning educational programs with labor market requirements.
• Developing a skilled and competent workforce.
• Strengthening international cooperation and partnerships.

Governance, Structure, and Independence

The Ministry is led by the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, who is appointed by the Prime Minister. The current Minister is Prof. Azmi Mahafzah, serving since September 18, 2024. The Ministry's organizational structure includes various departments and units that support its functions, such as the Recognition & Certificates Equivalency Directorate, which handles the recognition of foreign qualifications, and the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions (HEAC), which is responsible for accrediting higher education institutions and programs in Jordan. HEAC operates as an independent juridical person, ensuring the application of criteria for program and institutional accreditation and promoting quality assurance in higher education.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation in Higher Education

The Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions (HEAC) plays a pivotal role in maintaining and enhancing the quality of higher education in Jordan. HEAC's responsibilities include:

• Accrediting higher education institutions and their programs.
• Conducting institutional audits to ensure compliance with quality assurance standards.
• Developing and implementing an accreditation and evaluation framework for learning programs leading to the National Qualifications Framework Register.
• Advising the Minister on proposed higher education legislation.

These efforts aim to ensure that higher education institutions in Jordan provide quality education that meets national and international standards.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

The Ministry actively engages in international collaborations to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education in Jordan. Notable initiatives include:

• Partnership with the British Council: The Ministry signed a cooperation agreement with the British Council to support the development of Jordan's higher education institutions, focusing on areas such as curriculum development, faculty training, and research collaboration.
• Collaboration with UNESCO and GIZ: In 2020, the Ministry partnered with UNESCO and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to launch a project aimed at strengthening national capacities to develop and deliver quality e-learning in higher education institutions in Jordan.
• Participation in Erasmus+ Capacity-Building Projects: The Ministry, in collaboration with the National Erasmus+ Office, held workshops on the implementation and management of Erasmus+ capacity-building projects for employees in higher, vocational, and technical education, as well as youth capacity-building projects.

These partnerships facilitate knowledge exchange, capacity building, and the implementation of best practices in higher education and innovation.

Current and Future Impact on Higher Education

The Ministry's initiatives are poised to significantly impact the higher education landscape in Jordan. Key developments include:

• Implementation of the Economic Modernisation Vision: The Ministry's strategic priorities for 2023-2025 focus on aligning higher education and scientific research with the foundations of leadership, creativity, and a sustainable environment, contributing to the country's economic and political modernization.
• Development of Indigenous Higher Education System: The Ministry has unveiled an Indigenous Higher Education System, developed through local expertise from its institutions. This system was piloted and refined through collaborative training with 89% of the country's higher and tertiary education institutions, marking a significant milestone in Jordan's push towards a data-driven education sector.

These efforts are expected to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education in Jordan, contributing to the development of a skilled workforce capable of driving national development.

Summary

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research plays a critical role in shaping the nation's higher education and scientific research landscape. Through its governance of statutory bodies, implementation of quality assurance mechanisms, and fostering of international collaborations, the Ministry strives to provide quality education that meets national and international standards. Its initiatives, such as the Economic Modernisation Vision and the development of an Indigenous Higher Education System, aim to align educational outcomes with national development goals, ensuring that Jordan's higher education sector contributes effectively to the country's economic modernization and industrialization efforts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• What is the mission of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research?
  The Ministry's mission is to develop and promote high-quality tertiary education and research, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and enhance the skills and capabilities of the Jordanian workforce.
• What is the Economic Modernisation Vision?
  The Economic Modernisation Vision is a strategic initiative focusing on aligning higher education and scientific research with the foundations of leadership, creativity, and a sustainable environment, contributing to the country's economic and political modernization.
• What is the Indigenous Higher Education System?
  The Indigenous Higher Education System is a framework developed through local expertise from Jordanian institutions, aiming to align educational outcomes with national development goals and ensure a data-driven education sector.
• What is the role of the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions (HEAC)?
  HEAC is responsible for accrediting higher education institutions and programs, conducting institutional audits, and developing and implementing an accreditation and evaluation framework for learning programs leading to the National Qualifications Framework Register.
• What international collaborations has the Ministry engaged in?
  The Ministry has partnered with organizations such as the British Council, UNESCO, GIZ, and the National Erasmus+ Office to enhance the quality and relevance of higher education in Jordan through various initiatives and projects.

Organization Name

وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي في الأردن

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Jordan

Acronym

MoHE

Year of Establishment

1952

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

PO Box 35262
Amman
11180 Amman Jordan

Phone

+962 (6) 534 7671

Fax

+962 (6) 534 9079

n.a.

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Wikipedia Article

Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Jordan's Wikipedia article

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