Community Education

Educational programs for local communities on good water management and conservation practices.

Introduction

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) plays an active and institutionalized role in strengthening community awareness and capacity in water management and conservation. Through a structured portfolio of educational programs, workshops, school outreach activities, and public awareness campaigns, the university ensures that scientific knowledge and best practices in sustainable water use are transferred effectively to local communities, schools, and partner institutions. These initiatives empower community members to adopt responsible consumption behaviors and contribute to long-term water security.

AAU’s community education efforts operate under a unified and officially approved governance framework that ensures consistency, quality, and continuous impact across all initiatives. This framework guides the planning, implementation, and evaluation of community-oriented programs, ensuring that educational activities maintain high standards of relevance, accessibility, and effectiveness.

Through this structured approach, AAU ensures that its outreach extends beyond campus boundaries, delivering sustained environmental awareness, promoting responsible water-use practices, and fostering community resilience. These efforts directly support SDG 6.4 (Water-Use Efficiency) and SDG 6.b (Community Participation), while contributing to SDG 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by building a well-informed society capable of responding to water challenges in a changing climate.

Relevant Policies and Procedures (with links):

Community Water Management Education Procedure

Water Management Education and Awareness Policy

Water Usage Awareness Campaign Procedure

Off-Campus Water Conservation Support Procedure

Centers and Departments

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01Sustainability and International Ranking Center – Leadership and Community Outreach Coordination

Designs and supervises all water-related community programs, awareness campaigns, and external collaborations. Acts as the main institutional hub for sustainability outreach and SDG education.

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02Faculty of Engineering and Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research – Technical Knowledge

Provide practical demonstrations and lectures on water efficiency, smart irrigation, and sustainable building design. Bridge academic research with community applications.

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03Medical Services Department and Women’s Health Center – Public Health Education

Conduct workshops on the connection between clean water, hygiene, and health outcomes for families and youth. Integrate health awareness with water sustainability.

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04Marketing and Communications Unit – Media and Public Dissemination

Promotes educational content and visual campaigns on responsible water use through social media, campus screens, and community events. Ensures wide outreach and visibility of AAU’s sustainability impact.

Activities

01Water for Life” Community Awareness Workshops

Organized by the Sustainability and International Ranking Center and the Community Service Center, these workshops trained over 500 school students and community members on efficient water use, leak detection, and pollution prevention. This program promoted hands-on learning and active citizen engagement.

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02Collaboration with Local Municipalities on Water-Saving Campaigns

In line with the Off-Campus Water Conservation Support Procedure, AAU partnered with local municipalities to deliver training on greywater reuse and rainwater harvesting systems for households. This strengthened regional partnerships and extended AAU’s technical expertise to local governance.

03Health and Hygiene Education in Schools

The Women’s Health Center and Medical Services Department delivered awareness sessions to schools on the link between clean water, sanitation, and health. This program supported SDG 3 and SDG 6 by linking public health education to sustainable water management.

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4 . Student-Led Initiative – “Smart Irrigation Awareness Project”

Students from the Faculty of Engineering and the Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research implemented a live demonstration for local farmers and community members on efficient irrigation systems. This initiative showcased student innovation and applied sustainability learning.

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05Annual “Clean Water Culture Week”

Organized under the Water Management Education and Awareness Policy, this week-long event included exhibitions, panel discussions, and awareness materials addressing water-saving behaviors and environmental responsibility. This initiative has become a regular annual tradition promoting sustainable practices within and beyond the university community.

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06University Launches Marine Conservation Workshops to Promote Ocean Protection

Al-Ahliyya Amman University organized a series of marine conservation workshops to raise public awareness about the importance of protecting aquatic ecosystems and responsible water management. The workshops targeted school students, local communities, and environmental organizations, focusing on topics such as sustainable use of water resources, the impact of pollution on marine life, and community participation in environmental stewardship. The initiative forms part of AAU’s Community Water Management Education Procedure, aiming to expand the university’s outreach on water sustainability beyond campus boundaries. Through this program, more than 200 participants were trained, enhancing regional understanding of water conservation and directly supporting SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

Performance Evaluation

Outreach reach (2023–2025): Over 2,500 community participants (schools, municipalities, NGOs).
Workshops delivered: 18 community education sessions conducted annually.
Student involvement: >200 students participated in awareness delivery and volunteer work.
Measured impact: Surveys show 85% improvement in awareness of water conservation among participants.
Integration: Results incorporated into AAU’s Annual Sustainability Report (SDG 6 section).

Development Actions

Action 1: Expand partnerships with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation to scale up community outreach programs. Action 2: Develop mobile education units to deliver awareness workshops in remote communities. Action 3: Integrate community education modules into the university’s service-learning courses. Action 4: Create a digital platform for sharing water education materials and videos in Arabic and English. Action 5: Establish an annual Community Sustainability Award recognizing active participants and schools.
Benchmarking & Best Practice
Adopted Practice: Aligned with UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Framework and Jordan’s National Water Awareness Strategy. Local Adaptation: AAU customizes global frameworks into practical community programs – using Arabic-language workshops, local case studies, and student ambassadors to engage diverse audiences effectively. Future Benchmark Goal (by 2028):
- Reach 10,000 beneficiaries across Jordan through water education initiatives.
- Integrate at least five national partnerships for sustainable community training.
- Publish annual impact assessments on community education outcomes.
Institutional Integration Summary Community education on water sustainability is deeply integrated within AAU’s institutional structure. The Sustainability and International Ranking Center leads the coordination and documentation; the Community Service Center implements training and outreach; and the Medical, Engineering, and Research Centers contribute their expertise. This collaboration transforms community engagement into a measurable sustainability impact. By linking education, science, and social responsibility, AAU demonstrates tangible leadership in SDG 6.4 (Water Efficiency) and SDG 4.7 (Education for Sustainable Development), strengthening its position as a national role model for water awareness and community empowerment.