Al-Ahliyya Amman University Signs Memorandum of Understanding with TDA Jordan to Develop Specialized Academic and Training Programs in Unmanned Aircraft

Al-Ahliyya Amman University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Trans-Mediterranean Drone Aviation (TDA Jordan) to develop specialized academic, technical, and training programs in the field of unmanned aircraft. The agreement aims to bridge academic education with practical application and professional training, address labor market needs, and benefit from specialized technical expertise and international partnerships in this field. The MoU was signed on behalf of Al-Ahliyya Amman University by Acting President Professor Dr. Ahmad Hamdan, and on behalf of TDA Jordan by its Executive Director, Professor Dr. Mohammad Subhi Issa Al-Jabareen. The signing ceremony was attended, from TDA Jordan, by Zain Mkahleh, Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa at IDA Finland; Jordan Jabareen, Regional Director for the United Kingdom and Ireland at IDA Finland; and Captain Rifaat Jaween, TDA Project Manager. From Al-Ahliyya Amman University, the ceremony was attended by Chairman of the Board of Trustees Dr. Maher Al-Hourani; Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology Professor Dr. Muath Al-Hourani; Director of the Consultation and Training Center Mr. Muath Al-Rawashdeh; Mr. Nader Sweidan, Director of Al-Arena Complex; and Mr. Hossam Al-Sayed. The MoU includes cooperation in developing and implementing a two-year specialized technical diploma in unmanned aircraft. The program will be designed in line with local and international labor market needs, the requirements of companies involved in developing and manufacturing unmanned aircraft, as well as technological developments and the technical and professional skills required by the sector. The cooperation also aims to establish a specialized research and development center for unmanned aircraft. The center will support students’ applied research and scientific projects in areas including design, programming, and development, while encouraging faculty members to conduct specialized research. It will also seek to attract research funding and establish research partnerships with European and international companies operating in the unmanned aircraft sector. The agreement further provides for the establishment of a specialized field training area for unmanned aircraft, offering students a practical training environment while providing specialized companies with opportunities to test and develop unmanned aircraft technologies and prototypes within a dedicated university setting. On the academic front, the MoU seeks to develop specialized training pathways for university students and connect their academic disciplines with practical applications of unmanned aircraft. These pathways will include practical and hands-on training, discipline-specific applications, applied projects, and relevant professional certifications. The agreement also aims to integrate unmanned aircraft studies into appropriate university programs, subject to the required academic approvals. The MoU also provides for attracting specialized companies, universities, and research centers and establishing strategic partnerships with them. This will strengthen international cooperation in education, scientific research, and practical applications, while supporting the university’s position as a regional hub specializing in unmanned aircraft. As part of the university’s community service efforts and its commitment to enhancing training and professional development opportunities, the MoU includes cooperation in developing and offering specialized diplomas and training programs in unmanned aircraft for members of the local community. These programs aim to enhance knowledge of the field, develop technical and professional skills, provide specialized training opportunities, prepare participants for career opportunities in the sector, raise awareness of unmanned aircraft applications, and contribute to creating opportunities related to the jobs of the future. The programs will include Finland-accredited training curricula, as well as training certificates and diplomas issued by IDA Finland in accordance with program requirements, in addition to training for the A1-A3 and A2 categories. The Consultation and Training Center at Al-Ahliyya Amman University will be responsible for developing and offering these diplomas and training programs for the local community under a separate agreement to be concluded at a later stage. This will provide a framework for organizing the training programs, their implementation mechanisms, and their accreditation in accordance with approved regulations. For his part, Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Dr. Maher Al-Hourani, emphasized that signing the MoU represents a significant step in the university’s efforts to keep pace with rapid technological developments and introduce educational and training programs that respond to the requirements of emerging and future-oriented sectors. He noted that the unmanned aircraft sector is experiencing rapid global growth and offers promising opportunities in education, scientific research, and professional applications. Al-Hourani also highlighted the university’s strong commitment to building strategic partnerships with specialized institutions and companies, providing students with valuable opportunities for learning, training, and practical application. He further stressed that cooperation with TDA Jordan and its international partners represents an important addition to the university’s academic and training ecosystem, opening new opportunities for students and researchers to benefit from the latest expertise and technologies in this field. For his part, Executive Director of Trans-Mediterranean Drone Aviation (TDA Jordan), Professor Dr. Mohammad Subhi Issa Al-Jabareen, expressed his pride in signing the MoU with Al-Ahliyya Amman University. He emphasized that the partnership represents an important starting point toward establishing an integrated ecosystem for education, training, research, and development in the field of unmanned aircraft in Jordan and the region. He explained that the cooperation aims to develop specialized academic and training programs that respond to labor market needs and combine theoretical knowledge with practical experience. It will also prepare students and trainees to obtain relevant skills, licenses, and professional certifications, enhancing their readiness to pursue the growing opportunities emerging in this sector.