Off-Campus Conservation

University support for water conservation initiatives beyond campus boundaries.

Introduction

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) extends its sustainability mission beyond campus boundaries through a structured and institutionalized commitment to off-campus water conservation initiatives. The university actively contributes to strengthening national and regional water resilience by supporting programs that promote efficient resource management, environmental awareness, and community participation.

AAU’s engagement in off-campus conservation is guided by an officially approved governance framework that ensures strategic alignment, quality, and long-term impact. These policies and procedures define the mechanisms through which the university collaborates with external partners, supports community-driven initiatives, and contributes to national water security efforts:

Off-Campus Water Conservation Support Procedure

Water Security and Conservation Collaboration Policy

Community Water Management Education Procedure

Through these frameworks, AAU supports a wide range of national initiatives, municipal collaborations, school-centered programs, and NGO-led projects aimed at improving water-use efficiency, promoting conservation practices, and enhancing public understanding of Jordan’s water challenges. This structured approach ensures that the university’s impact extends meaningfully into the community, contributing to sustainable development outcomes at local and national levels.

These efforts directly advance SDG 6.4 (Increase Water-Use Efficiency) and SDG 6.b (Community Engagement in Water Management), while reinforcing SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by strengthening inter-institutional cooperation and demonstrating AAU’s leadership in environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

Centers and Departments

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01Sustainability and International Ranking Center – Leadership and Partnerships

Leads AAU’s participation in national and regional water conservation projects and ensures documentation for SDG reporting. Acts as the coordination hub between AAU and external partners in water sustainability.

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

Provide technical expertise, design models, and innovative solutions for water-saving systems implemented off-campus. Offer scientific and engineering support to external conservation projects.

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03Marketing and Communications Unit – Awareness and Media Collaboration

Disseminates AAU’s participation in national and local conservation campaigns through various communication platforms. Enhances visibility and awareness of university-community partnerships.

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04Finance Department – Support and Budget Management

Provides financial oversight for partnerships and sustainability-related outreach projects. Ensures institutional investment in community water conservation initiatives.

Activities

01Partnership with Local Municipalities on Water Conservation Projects

AAU collaborated with local municipalities to provide technical support on installing water-saving devices and awareness boards in public parks and schools. This initiative reduced local water waste and strengthened cooperation between higher education and civic institutions.

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02Off-Campus Water Awareness Workshops for Schools

The Sustainability and International Ranking Center, in coordination with the Community Service Center, organized school-based workshops on leak prevention, rainwater harvesting, and daily conservation behaviors. This program empowered young students to become water conservation ambassadors.

03Technical Support for NGO-Led Greywater Reuse Projects

AAU’s Faculty of Engineering and Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research provided design and consulting support for NGO pilot projects on greywater reuse in rural areas. This contribution extended AAU’s research-based impact to underprivileged communities.

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04Participation in National Water and Environment Forums

Representatives from AAU participated in conferences organized by the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and partner universities to present research on water conservation and reuse. This engagement promoted policy-level dialogue and knowledge sharing.

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05AAU Hosts Beach Cleanup at Aqaba Sea to Support Marine Conservation Efforts

Al-Ahliyya Amman University organized a large-scale beach cleanup campaign at the Aqaba Sea in cooperation with local municipalities, NGOs, and student volunteers. The initiative aimed to protect marine and coastal ecosystems, raise awareness about pollution prevention, and promote sustainable water stewardship beyond campus boundaries. More than 300 students, staff, and community members participated, collecting plastic waste and documenting water-quality observations under the supervision of AAU’s Sustainability and International Ranking Center. The activity was implemented in alignment with the [Off-Campus Water Conservation Support Procedure] and supported national efforts to enhance environmental protection along Jordan’s coastline. This outreach event strengthened AAU’s community partnership network and contributed directly to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water).

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

Performance Evaluation

Partnerships established: 12 collaborations with municipalities, NGOs, and schools (2023–2025).
Community beneficiaries: Over 3,000 individuals trained or reached through outreach initiatives.
Technical consultations delivered: 6 projects on greywater reuse and smart irrigation design.
National visibility: AAU featured in 5 national forums addressing water challenges.
Measured social impact: Documented behavior change in local communities through surveys and follow-up visits.

Development Actions

Action 1: Expand partnerships to include national water utilities and private sector firms. Action 2: Launch joint research grants on community water resilience with governmental and academic institutions. Action 3: Establish an AAU Water Conservation Advisory Network to guide external communities. Action 4: Develop mobile training units to deliver workshops in rural and underserved areas. Action 5: Publish annual reports on AAU’s off-campus conservation impact, aligning outcomes with national water strategies.
Maintain annual participation in at least three national water forums. Benchmarking & Best Practice
Adopted Practice: Aligned with Jordan’s National Water Strategy (2023–2040) and UNESCO’s Community-Based Water Management Guidelines, ensuring alignment between academic participation and national sustainability goals. Local Adaptation: AAU tailors its off-campus initiatives to Jordan’s water-scarce conditions, prioritizing awareness, reuse technologies, and efficient irrigation methods adapted to rural contexts. Future Benchmark Goal (by 2028):
- Reach 10,000 community beneficiaries through off-campus initiatives.
- Implement 10 collaborative technical projects on reuse and conservation.