Samarkand: Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Azmi Mahafza, who also chairs the Jordan National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, emphasized Jordan's commitment to promoting vocational and technical education under the guidance of His Majesty King Abdullah II. This initiative is part of the country's strategic shift towards a green and digital knowledge economy.
According to Jordan News Agency, Mahafza highlighted these priorities during a high-level ministerial dialogue on "Skills for a Sustainable Future," held at the 43rd session of the General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. He noted that, with governmental support and royal patronage, the ministry has introduced the British BTEC program. This initiative is designed to equip Jordanian youth with internationally recognized applied skills.
The program is being implemented in Jordanian schools and aims to provide students with both theoretical and practical skills, enabling them to either enter the labor market or pursue higher education. Mahafza underscored the program's flexibility and its wide range of specializations, such as information technology, agriculture, and healthcare, aligning with the evolving needs of the economy.
He also mentioned ongoing initiatives like the Economic Modernization Vision 2023-2032 and the Digital Transformation Strategy. Additionally, the recently formed National Council for Future Technology is focused on integrating artificial intelligence into education to enhance human capital and skill development.
Mahafza stressed the Ministry of Education's dedication to training educators, improving infrastructure, and enhancing equipment through workshops and laboratories. The ministry is also strengthening collaborations with public and private sectors to create effective training and employment opportunities for students.
He reiterated that developing vocational and technical skills is crucial for achieving social equity and sustainable economic growth. Mahafza emphasized that this education path is not an alternative but a parallel route to excellence and innovation.
Jordan remains committed to working with UNESCO and partner nations to exchange expertise and develop national frameworks for skills recognition. These efforts aim to foster inclusive education that empowers youth to adapt to global changes in employment and learning.
The ministerial dialogue included education ministers from UNESCO member states and officials from international and regional organizations, focusing on aligning education with green and digital transformations.