First delegation trip to Jordan
DFG initiative Networking for Research: German Universities of Applied Sciences and Researchers Worldwide (UDIF-HAW)
(25.10.22) At the end of September 2022, just under 20 representatives of German Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) visited a number of universities and research institutions in Jordan. The 5-day trip was part of the DFG initiative that brings researchers from German UAS together with international researchers through various formats. It was prepared back in February at a virtual matchmaking event (DFG - Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft – Networking research at universities of applied sciences with research in Jordan) on the topic of “Water Nexus Research – Challenges and Strategies for a Sustainable Future”. This subject was identified in advance as a common topic of interest together with UAS representatives and stakeholders in Jordan. Now the researchers have met for a second time on this topic – this time in person and in an entirely analogue setting.
Al Balqa Applied University, Jordanien
© Matouq
The networking activities in the area of Water Nexus Research in Jordan are being implemented in close cooperation with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK). The DAAD and the HRK were represented on the trip by Dr. Muriel Helbig, Vice-President of the DAAD and President of TH Lübeck, and Professor Dorit Schumann, HRK Vice-President for transfer, sustainability, gender equality and diversity and President of the University of Applied Sciences Trier. Dr. Harald von Kalm, head of the International Affairs and Integrative Activities department at the DFG Head Office in Bonn, participated on behalf of the DFG. Professor Christoph Külls, hydrologist at TH Lübeck, accompanied the delegation as scientific advisor on behalf of the DFG. He developed the website www.gjrc.de especially for the purpose of networking the scientific community in the field of water research: it provides a mapping of German and Jordanian locations in the field of the Water Food Energy Nexus as well as opportunities for networking.
The trip opened with a reception at the German Ambassador’s residence, where Jordanian and German participants met on the first evening.
The programme included visits to Princess Sumaya University for Technology, the Royal Scientific Society, and the German Jordanian University. Other stations were Jordan University for Science and Technology, Al Balqa Applied University, Yarmouk University, Hashemite University and Jordan University. All visits were dedicated entirely to dialogue, networking, getting to know each other and developing ideas for collaborative projects. The universities and institutions themselves had prepared a programme that was both extensive and informative. Among other things, the delegation was able to visit research laboratories and had plenty of opportunity to talk directly to researchers at Jordanian universities.
The trip was rounded off with a thematic excursion to the Gadara excavation site in Umm Qais, an archaeological site where, among other things, historical water pipe systems are being uncovered and investigated.