The THWS Campus GATE Jordan Project, which is funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), started in October 2023 with the degree programmes Hydrogen Technology and Social Work. What characterises the programme, how the start went – and what this means for the higher education institution and the region.
Published on 10 June 2024
In a globalised world, in which science and research go hand in hand across national borders, the internationalisation of higher education institutions is playing an essential part. The Campus GATE Jordan project of the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) acts as an outstanding example. It is a cooperation of THWS with the German Jordan University (GJU) in Mushaqar, Jordan. "GATE" is short for German Applied Transnational Education. "To us, campus signalises a higher education unit," Professor Dr. Ralf Roßkopf explains. He is responsible for the academic project coordination. The Campus GATE offers the so-called hosted programmes. It is a Jordanian accreditation concept which allows foreign higher education institutions to implement their own degree programmes at Jordanian higher education institutions. The foreign higher education institution must then cover at least 70 percent.
The hosted programmes generally take place in Jordan. "The special characteristic of our project is that we follow a binational approach regarding our study location," Professor Dr. Roßkopf explains. In plain terms: The students start their studies in Jordan, where they complete the first four semesters in English. The final three semesters are then completed at THWS in Germany. There, the students join the German THWS degree programme and take German-taught courses. After their studies, students obtain a German degree that is also accredited in Jordan. "This is a pretty unique situation", Professor Dr. Roßkopf emphasises.
The admission requirements were generally comparable to the ones in Germany, Professor Dr. Roßkopf says. Students, however, need a German German higher education entrance qualification and sufficient German (B1, and later B2) and English language skills (B2). "Usually, the Jordanian school leaving certificate does not equal a German higher education entrance qualification nor does it prove the German language skills," Professor Dr. Roßkopf reports. "That is why we have conceptualised individual pre-years for our degree programmes," he explains.
In October 2023, eleven students started their pre-year for the degree programme Hydrogen Technology. Mahmoud Al Saifi is one of these students. As opposed to his fellow students, the 18-year-old does not need to take German classes. "I have always wanted to study in Germany which is why I started to learn German already back in school," he says. Thus, he now has the advantage that he can focus on the other courses taught in the pre-year, for example Physics and Chemistry. What Mahmoud says about his fellow students: "We have become friends and are a great group."
Sustainability as a guiding principle: Contribution to the objectives of the United Nations
In addition to Hydrogen Technology, from the upcoming winter semester Social Work will be offered with Professor Dr. Roßkopf acting as programme director. Why were these two programmes selected? "One criterion was that these degree programmes do not represent a source of competition to the programmes at GJU," Professor Dr. Roßkopf explains. We also wanted to choose programmes that meet a need in Germany and in Jordan. Of particular importance for THWS but also for the Würzburg-Schweinfurt region was acquisition of new students to keep the student numbers high and to tackle the skills shortage at the same time.
"Regarding Hydrogen Technology we are addressing the topic of the energy transition in Germany and the entire Arabic region as potential producers of green hydrogen," Professor Dr. Roßkopf explains. Graduates of the programme could help cover the need for hydrogen experts, he says. Mahmoud confirms these hopes: He perceives Hydrogen Technology as a degree programme for the future. "I am looking forward to applying my knowledge for a sustainable future", he emphasises.
The situation with Social Work would be similar, Professor Dr. Roßkopf explains: The profession still needed some establishment in Jordan - thus, the degree programme could help professionalise the discipline there. Furthermore, Social Work was the academic discipline that was most sought after in the German job market in 2022. In this regard, graduates of the Campus GATE Jordan could also help to cover this need.
Regarding sustainability, the degree programmes addressed several objectives of the United Nations, Professor Dr. Roßkopf explains: Hydrogen Technology contributed to affordable and clean energy and to climate protection measures. Social Work could help to achieve objects like "reduced inequality". On a structural level, the cooperation between the higher education institutions also supported the objectives of the partnership to achieve the sustainable development goals and promoted peace, justice, and strong institutions. "The project aims to promote bilateral relationships between Germany and Jordan but also between Europe and the Arab countries," says Professor Dr. Roßkopf.
Taking a look into the future
Professor Dr. Roßkopf is highly satisfied with the previous course of the project: "Within one year we have managed to conclude the necessary agreements, and solve legal, technical, and strategical questions, but we also managed to launch the first two degree programmes and acquire funding." This would be a huge success.
He is hoping for at least 20 students per degree programme from winter semester 2024. This number is supposed to continually increase to up to 40 students within the next few years. He also hopes to extend the study offers of Campus GATE Jordan further - and to establish more degree programmes in addition to Hydrogen Technology and Social Work. Another objective was to expand the idea of the Campus GATE to other countries. "We have already acquired higher education institutions that show great interest," Professor Dr. Roßkopf reveals.
Mahmoud is expecting a challenging study experience for the next few years. After completing his bachelor’s he is planning to do his master’s in Germany. His motivation is great: "I am ready for it!" he says. His objective: "Becoming the manager of a company specialising in hydrogen-powered vehicles to make transport more environmentally friendly."
