Amman: The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Amman and the KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) co-hosted the inaugural "2025 Korea Alumni of Jordan" event, bringing together more than 100 alumni and participants from Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) programs and KOICA Fellowship initiatives. Attendees represented various Jordanian ministries and public institutions.
According to Jordan News Agency, the event began with opening remarks from Kim Pil Woo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Jordan. He highlighted the significance of this event as the first occasion to unite members of the KOICA Alumni Association and the Global Korea Scholarship. He emphasized the close relationship between Korea and Jordan, which is based on friendship, cooperation, respect, and cultural exchange over the last six decades. The ambassador stressed the multi-dimensional partnership driven by enduring people-to-people connections.
He also noted that all alumni are living witnesses to the strong ties between Korea and Jordan. They play an invaluable role in nurturing these ties through the exchange of knowledge, experience, and culture. He encouraged participants to be effective leaders and change-makers in their fields in Jordan and beyond, utilizing the skills, technologies, and academic knowledge gained in Korea.
In her remarks, Secretary General of the Ministry of Education Sahar Shakhatreh highlighted the depth of the longstanding partnership between Jordan and Korea. She emphasized the importance of continued cooperation in education and human resource development. She commended the graduates of KOICA and GKS programs for their dedication and contributions, noting that their acquired knowledge and skills will play a vital role in advancing Jordan's development goals and strengthening the bonds of friendship between the two nations.
During the event, seven Jordanian government officials who participated in KOICA programs shared insights from their specialized training courses. In 2025, KOICA organized nine advanced training programs for Jordanian officials to enhance their expertise and drive national development.
Additionally, a GKS alumna shared lessons from her academic journey in Korea, highlighting the value of cross-cultural exchange and academic enrichment.
The event concluded with a presentation from the 2025 KAAJ (KOICA Alumni Association of Jordan) Board, outlining their ongoing community initiatives and reaffirming their dedication to supporting vulnerable groups throughout Jordan.
KOICA has been offering training opportunities to Jordan since 1991 through its CIAT initiative, focusing on developing human capacities for sustainable socio-economic growth. To date, 1,244 Jordanian officials have participated in training programs in Korea.
Since 1967, the Korean government has provided scholarship opportunities through the GKS program to international students, allowing them to study in Korea. The scholarship aims to enhance international education exchange and strengthen mutual friendship between Korea and participating countries.