Faculty of Information Technology Participates in the Second Introductory Meeting of the “TechForward” Initiative to Enhance Students’ Readiness for the Job Market
Professor Dr. Atef Al-Kharabsheh, President of Al-Hussein Bin Talal University, received a delegation from the Information and Communications Technology Association of Jordan (Int@j), headed by Dr. Jaafar Shahabat, Director of the “TechForward” Initiative, at his office at the University. The meeting was attended by several academic officials and focused on exploring ways to strengthen cooperation between the University and the Association and develop programs and initiatives aimed at empowering students and aligning university education outcomes with labor market needs.
Following the meeting, the University hosted the second introductory meeting of the “TechForward” initiative and program at the Faculty of Engineering Auditorium. The event was organized by the Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Center, in cooperation with the Faculty of Information Technology and the Faculty of Engineering, as part of the University's preparations for the 2026–2027 academic year.
The meeting was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Dr. Firas Freij; the Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology, Dr. Omar Al-Shawaish; the Dean of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies, Professor Dr. Khaled Dweina; the Director of the Public Relations and Community Engagement Unit, Dr. Moath Al-Shawaish; and the Projects Manager at the Innovation, Creativity, and Entrepreneurship Center, Eng. Amer Al-Rawad. A number of faculty members from the Faculties of Information Technology and Engineering, along with several graduation project students, also attended.
The “TechForward” project aims to connect university graduation projects with companies operating in Jordan's Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector. This will help guide student projects toward the sector's actual needs, enhance students' access to practical expertise, and provide broader opportunities to connect with companies and learn about available employment opportunities in the sector.
Professor Dr. Atef Al-Kharabsheh emphasized the importance of establishing effective partnerships between the University, private-sector institutions, and national entities concerned with technology and innovation, in ways that contribute to developing students' skills and strengthening their competitiveness in the job market.
He also noted that the University seeks to integrate high-quality programs and initiatives, such as “TechForward,” into a comprehensive framework that connects academic education with practical application. This approach provides students with genuine opportunities to understand labor market requirements and benefit from the expertise and opportunities offered by the private sector. He reaffirmed the University's support for all initiatives that contribute to empowering young people and promoting innovation and entrepreneurship.
The introductory meeting consisted of two sessions. The first was dedicated to the University's faculty members, introducing the program's objectives and exploring areas of academic cooperation. The second focused on students, introducing the opportunities offered by the program and explaining the participation and engagement mechanisms, with the aim of developing their skills and enhancing their professional readiness.
Dr. Jaafar Shahabat, Director of the “TechForward” Initiative at Int@j, delivered a presentation introducing the Association and the initiative. He outlined the opportunities available to students, the mechanisms for participating in and benefiting from the initiative's programs, and the importance of developing technical and practical skills in line with the evolving requirements of the job market.
The Faculty of Information Technology's participation in this meeting underscores its role in strengthening partnerships with the ICT sector and directing graduation projects toward practical applications and the actual needs of the job market. These efforts contribute to developing students' technical and professional skills and enhancing their opportunities to secure quality employment after graduation.
Hosting the meeting for the second time at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University reaffirms the University's and Int@j's commitment to sustaining their joint cooperation and strengthening the connection between students and their academic projects, on the one hand, and the actual challenges and needs of the job market and private sector, on the other. This collaboration contributes to preparing students to keep pace with technological developments and enhancing their professional readiness.