Under the Professional Empowerment program, developed by the American Smithsonian Institution, the US Embassy in Amman organized a training workshop at YU for Information Technology and Computer Science students on CV writing skills, and job interviews.

Heather Digardi, from the Department of Public Relations at the US Embassy in Amman stated that the workshop aimed at training the students to be able to market themselves in the job market, which opens new horizons to their professional careers.

For his part, the dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science, Dr. Samer Samara thanked the U.S. Embassy for conducting the workshop, which helps students develop their skills in job interviews and CV writing.

The opening of the workshop was attended by the Director of International Relations and Projects Department, Dr. Mwaffaq Otoom, and a number of officials from the Faculty and from the Embassy.

In collaboration with the U.S. Embassy in Amman, the Faculty of Fine Arts, represented by the Department of Drama at YU organized a symposium on film and television production, as part of the Global Media Makers program. The symposium was opened in the presence of the Vice dean Dr. Wael Haddad, and the delegate of the American Embassy Kala Azar, with the participation of the international producers Sharon Hall and Todd Kessler.

The Head of the Department of Drama, Dr. Ghassan Haddad, welcomed the participants and thanked the cultural Affairs Office in the American Embassy for their continues cooperation with the Faculty of Fine Arts and their keenness to support the students of the University through involving them in cultural and art initiatives and programs.

In the symposium, Hall and Kessler discussed the duties of the television producer and presented the students with some advice about drama. Furthermore, a film made by the student Hiba Al-Nabilsi, entitled “Under the Sea" was displayed to the audience.

It is worth mentioning that Global Media Makers program works with countries in the Middle East, North Africa and Turkey to enhance communication opportunities between visual story makers from around the world, including Jordan, and film professionals and experts from the United States of America.

The Department of Archaeology at the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology at YU arranged a visit for their students to the American Center of Oriental Research (ACOR) in Amman, and the ancient city of Jerash, under the supervision of Dr. Khaled Al-Bashaireh.

During the visit, the students listened to a brief about the ACOR by the Director of the center, Dr. Barbara Porter, in which she talked about the center, and the main services they offer, particularly, scholarships, in addition to the important excavations, surveys and projects they achieved. She thanked YU for the visit and for the opportunity they had to meet with the students and talk to them about their achievements, projects and studies.

For his part, Dr. Al-Bashaireh thanked the Center’s administration for their program and for the valuable information they provided for the students regarding the main programs, plans and objectives of the center that have direct contact to their field of study.

During the visit, the students visited the center's library, one of the largest libraries in Jordan concerned with archaeology, anthropology, maintenance and restoration. The students were informed about the different kinds of books, journals and references, and the way to access them. In their visit, the students were accompanied by Hayoumi Al-Ayoubi, Hala Al-Sakka and Razan Ahmed from the center. 

On behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, the Secretary General of the Ministry, Mr. Issa Gammoh sponsored the ceremony of YU receiving the Tourism Education Quality "TedQual" certification, which is recognized by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The ceremony was organized by the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management in cooperation with the Tourism Project of Promoting the Economic Sustainability in Jordan funded by the United States Agency for International Development, in the presence of the president of the University.

In his speech, Gammoh congratulated the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management and YU for receiving the Tedqual certificate, which represents a great promise for the career future of the students in light of Jordan's severe need for highly qualified and trained human resources in tourism industry. The president pointed out that the University's visions are consistent with those of the Ministry, adding that tourism employment depends on the quality and human resources available to produce competitive graduates who meet the changing needs of the market.

Gammoh also stated that a significant growth in the tourism industry is expected in Jordan, and that they look forward to seeing more universities and colleges following YU in offering tourism education.  He finally called on YU to proceed with the conclusion of the memorandum of understanding with the Ministry for the purpose of linking education in the fields of tourism and antiquities with educating the local community as well as disseminating the concepts of respect for cultural heritage in Jordan.

For his part, Dr. Kafafi expressed his happiness for the great achievement of the Faculty of tourism’s in receiving the TedQual, which is considered the world's highest degree for tourism education.  He also expressed his pride of YU as the first Jordanian university to receive this prestigious award for a bachelor's degree in Tourism Management.

Dr. Kafafi also pointed that YU had applied for a grant from the US Agency for International Development to improve the quality of the Tourism program to meet the TedQual standards. To achieve that, many workshops were organized during the last three years to develop the knowledge and skills of the faculty members. At the end of his speech, the president thanked the support of the US Agency for International Development, Dean and faculty members of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management.

In his speech, Dr. Mohammed Al-Shunnaq, the Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management, spoke highly of the great achievement of the faculty, referring to the beginnings of the faculty in 2011 and how, ever since, it has had bilateral agreements with employers in the local market to provide students with training opportunities that help develop their personal and professional skills. He added that the faculty offers two programs: a BA in Tourism Management, and a MSc in Tourism, taught by qualified faculty staff. Al-Shunnaq finally thanked the president, and he thanked the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for their interconnected support. He also thanked the faculty members as well as the members of the local community.

At the end of the ceremony, which was attended by vice presidents, college deans, faculty members, and officials from the Ministry of Tourism and the University, Gammoh handed the Tedqual certificate to the president of the University.