A delegation from Koya University visited Jordan for the purpose of signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with each of Mutah University, Amman Arab University, and the University of Jordan. The delegation included Dr. Wali Mahmud Hamad, the President of Koya University, Dr. Haider Lashkry, the Acting Vice President of Koya University for Scientific and Postgraduate Affairs, Dr. Vian Sleman, the Head of the Department of Accounting, and Dr. Wala Jawdet Al-Jaff, a Lecturer at the Department of Accounting and the Coordinator of the visit. The delegation arrived in Jordan on Saturday 27th February.
Signing three MoU
On Sunday 28/2/2016, the first day of the visit, the Koya University delegation visited the Relations Bureau of Mutah University, one of the outstanding universities of Jordan, which was established in 1981 by a royal decree. It contains both civil and military studies. (For more information visit the official site of Mutah University: Click here.)
The Koya University delegation met with Dr. Rida Shibli Al-Khawalda, the President of Mutah University, and Dr. Thafer Yusif Assaraira, The Vice President for international Affairs and Quality Assurance.
Following their discussions and exchanging opinions about the situation of higher education in the two universities and ways to improve academic relations, the two universities signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
On the second day 29/2/2016, and within the framework of the visit they visited the University of Jordan where they were received by Dr. Ekhleif Y. Tarawneh, the President of the University, the Vice Presidents and other members of the university. After discussing issues related to the academic capacity and experience of the two universities, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focusing on facilitating academic relations and cooperation between the two universities.
On the last day of the visit on 1st March 2016, the delegation visited the Amman Arab University and were received by Dr. Omar Al-Jarrah, the President of the University, the vice presidents and the Director of Public Relations. After discussing university-related issues in terms of academic capacity and expertise, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the two universities aiming at improving academic relations and cooperation.
What did the delegation come up with?
Regarding the visit, Dr. Wali Mahmud, the President of Koya University stated, "In addition to signing three Memoranda of Understanding with three well-known Jordanian universities, we got acquainted with the situation of the three Jordanian Universities in terms of financial independence, particularly with regard to Mutah University and the University of Jordan which are governmental universities (I.e. education is free of charge in these universities). However, at present, only 10% of their expenditure is paid by the government. It has been some years since they have applied the rule of tuition fees. We were also able to meet with important government personalities, parliamentarians and Jordanian authorities and we got a clear impression that the Government and the King of Jordan encourage establishing relations with Kurdistan Region and its universities."
"It has been arranged that a delegation from the University of Jordan will visit Koya University at the beginning of next May," the President further said.
What were the academic achievements of the visit?
Concerning the academic achievements of the visit and the content of the Memoranda of Understanding, Dr. Haider Lashkry, the Acting Vice President of Koya University for Scientific and Postgraduate Affairs said, "The content of the Memoranda focus on academic cooperation and the exchange of experience and expertise in the different fields of higher education for the purpose of developing technical and scientific research methods and training of experts, in addition to exchanging of scientific press, educational plans and programs, scientific resources, research bibliography, all of which will play a big role in achieving the academic aims pursued between the two universities."
"The Universities will also cooperate in designing educational programs, joint research and facilitating the admission of higher education students, in addition to many other important academic aspects," Dr. Lashkri further added.
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) is a formal agreement between two or more parties. Universities can use MoUs to establish official partnerships. MoUs are not legally binding but they carry a degree of seriousness and mutual respect. It's a collection of vital points of accord between two or more entities that intend to establish a working relationship of some sort.
