Government Cooperation

Collaboration with local, national and global authorities to enhance water security.

Introduction

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) plays a strategic and institutionalized role in advancing national and regional water security through sustained cooperation with governmental bodies and international authorities. The university contributes scientific expertise, policy insights, technical knowledge, and research-based recommendations to support the development and implementation of water-security strategies in Jordan and beyond.

AAU’s government cooperation efforts are anchored in a formally approved governance framework that ensures structured, coordinated, and impactful engagement with local, national, and global stakeholders. This framework is guided by the following policies and procedures:

Water Security and Conservation Collaboration Policy

Off-Campus Water Conservation Support Procedure

Community Water Management Education Procedure

Through these frameworks, AAU collaborates closely with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation, the Ministry of Environment, local municipalities, and international agencies to enhance water governance, strengthen resilience to water scarcity, and promote sustainable resource management. The university’s contributions support national policy development, community-level implementation programs, and cross-sectoral coordination aligned with global sustainability standards.

By maintaining these multi-level partnerships, AAU directly advances SDG 6.b (Support and Strengthen the Participation of Local Communities in Water Management) and reinforces national progress toward SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), positioning the university as a key contributor to water-security planning and sustainable development policymaking.

Centers and Departments

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01Sustainability and International Ranking Center – Coordination and Policy Liaison

Leads AAU’s cooperation with ministries and international organizations, preparing SDG-aligned reports and coordinating official correspondence. Serves as the institutional focal point for all water-related partnerships.

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02Hourani Center for Applied Scientific Research – Scientific and Technical Expertise

Provides research studies, field data, and technical consultation supporting governmental initiatives on groundwater monitoring and reuse technologies. Bridges science and policy through evidence-based collaboration.

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03Faculty of Engineering – Policy Implementation and Design Support

Works with ministries and municipalities on applied projects for smart irrigation, leak detection, and sustainable infrastructure. Translates academic research into practical engineering solutions.

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04Marketing and Communications Unit – Public Visibility and Campaigns

Disseminates governmental collaboration outcomes through national media and university communication platforms. Strengthens public trust and awareness of AAU’s policy impact.

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05Finance Department – Contract and Partnership Management

Handles budgeting, financial reporting, and grant management for cooperative projects with governmental and international partners. Ensures accountability and transparent funding for shared sustainability programs.

Activities

01Collaboration with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation on National Water Strategy

AAU participated in consultative meetings supporting Jordan’s National Water Strategy 2023–2040, contributing academic insights on water reuse, irrigation efficiency, and campus-level sustainability practices. This cooperation reinforced AAU’s position as an academic contributor to policy development.

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02Memorandum of Understanding with Local Municipalities for Water Conservation

In accordance with the Water Security and Conservation Collaboration Policy, AAU signed MoUs with local municipalities to develop joint awareness campaigns and infrastructure improvement plans. This strengthened collaboration between higher education and local government bodies.

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03Joint Research with the Ministry of Environment on Water Pollution Prevention

The Hourani Center and PDRC cooperated with ministry experts to analyze water-pollution patterns and propose safe-discharge frameworks for universities and industrial zones. This initiative translated laboratory research into national policy recommendations.

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04AAU Partners with Marine NGOs to Advance Ocean Conservation

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) strengthened its national and international partnerships by signing cooperation agreements with several marine and environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to promote sustainable water and ocean conservation. The partnership focuses on joint research, awareness programs, and policy dialogue addressing water quality, pollution prevention, and marine ecosystem restoration. Through this collaboration, AAU provides scientific expertise and student involvement to support NGO-led conservation projects and to develop integrated water-management models adaptable to Jordan’s environmental context. This initiative was implemented under the [Water Security and Conservation Collaboration Policy] and reflects AAU’s commitment to building strong partnerships that advance water sustainability across local and regional levels. The cooperation directly supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), showcasing AAU’s leadership in collaborative water-security action.

05Advisory Contribution to Municipal Water Management Plans

AAU’s engineering experts provided advisory input on sustainable design standards for municipal water systems, focusing on leak detection and efficient distribution. This initiative directly improved local infrastructure resilience and supported SDG 11 & 6.

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06AAU Participates in the Biodiversity and Food Security Workshop at the University of Anbar, Iraq

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU), represented by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, participated in an international workshop titled “Biodiversity and Food Security” hosted by the University of Anbar, Iraq. The workshop brought together experts from multiple Arab universities and governmental bodies to discuss water scarcity, ecosystem preservation, and sustainable agricultural production in the context of regional climate challenges. AAU presented its experience in water-efficient irrigation, rainwater harvesting, and soil moisture monitoring, contributing practical insights to the regional dialogue on sustainable resource management. This participation reflects the university’s dedication to cross-border cooperation and the exchange of best practices in sustainability, aligning with the [Water Security and Conservation Collaboration Policy] and Jordan’s National Water Strategy (2023–2040). The initiative strengthened AAU’s role in regional scientific diplomacy and directly supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

Performance Evaluation

Government partners engaged: 8 (ministries, municipalities, and national agencies).
Projects executed: 6 joint initiatives between 2023 and 2025.
Policy inputs submitted: 3 formal recommendations to national water authorities.
International forums attended: 4 with AAU representation.
Measured impact: AAU recognized as an academic partner in the implementation of Jordan’s Water Strategy (2023–2040).

Development Actions

Action 1: Formalize a permanent partnership agreement with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation for joint research and data sharing. Action 2: Establish an AAU Water Policy Advisory Board composed of university experts and government representatives. Action 3: Develop capacity-building programs for municipal engineers on sustainable water infrastructure. Action 4: Host an annual National Water Security Forum in partnership with the Ministry of Environment and UN agencies. Action 5: Publish joint policy briefs on sustainable water management and reuse technologies.
Benchmarking & Best Practice
Adopted Practice: Aligned with the Jordan National Water Strategy (2023–2040) and the UN-Water Integrated Water Resources Management Framework. Local Adaptation: AAU acts as a bridge between academic research and public policy, providing evidence-based recommendations tailored to Jordan’s semi-arid context and water scarcity challenges. Future Benchmark Goal (by 2028):
- Maintain formal cooperation agreements with 10 government entities.
- Contribute annually to at least two national policy papers on water management.
- Become a regional Center of Excellence in Water Governance and Sustainability.
Institutional Integration Summary Government cooperation at AAU is anchored within its Sustainability and International Ranking Center, supported by the Hourani Research Center, Faculty of Engineering, and administrative units. This multi-layered coordination ensures that academic expertise directly influences policy development and infrastructure planning at the national level. Through its partnerships with ministries, municipalities, and global organizations, AAU demonstrates how universities can act as policy advisors and innovation partners for governmental sustainability programs. This collaborative model reinforces AAU’s national and regional leadership in SDG 6 (Water Security and Sustainability) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).