The president of Yarmouk University met a delegation from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) that included the agency's regional Vice President and a number of researchers participating in the project to discuss the procedures for the second round of the feasibility study of the project that aims to a comprehensive development of the master plan in the field of special education.

At the beginning of the meeting, Kafafi welcomed the delegation and stated that the university aims to strengthen its cooperation with the Korean International Cooperation Agency, especially through developing the MA program in the field of special education since it pays a great attention to the applied aspects; he further praised the efforts of researchers participating in the project.

Members of the delegation also indicated that a National Special Education Center will be established at Yarmouk University with eight advanced technology-supporting laboratories in the field of special education with an estimated cost of 3.5 US million $ for implementing the first phase of the project.

The president of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi met Erasmus+ Jordan office Director Dr. Ahmad Abu El-Haija to discuss the procedures of implementing projects funded by Erasmus+ and carried out by Yarmouk University.

Kafafi highlighted the keenness of Yarmouk University to encourage students and faculty and administrative staff to participate in Erasmus+ projects funded by the European Union; including student exchange and capacity building programs. He added that it is essential for universities to raise awareness regarding the scientific research in various scientific, medical, literary and human aspects.

Abu El-Haija praised the advanced level of projects submitted by Yarmouk University researchers supported by Erasmus+ and explained that the plans of 2014-2020 are focused on student exchange and capacity building in higher education; he referred to the need for a committee in the University that includes one of the Vice Presidents, the Dean of the concerned faculty and the Director of International Relations Office; this committee will select participants in the student exchange projects and apply the selection criteria for both receiving and sending parties with integrity, transparency and equality. Abu El-Haija further explained the mechanisms and conditions for selecting projects and he ensured that all the projects implemented at universities are institutional rather than personal projects, and that they aim to enhance the capacities of these institutions, to develop the abilities of employees and to equip laboratories and scientific facilities with necessary equipment.

The meeting was attended by Vice Presidents Prof. Ahmad Al-Ajlouni and Prof. Fawwaz Al-Abed Al-Haq, Dean of the Faculty of Science Prof. Nihad Yusuf, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Prof. Mohammed Bani Doumi, GEO4D coordinator Dr. Rana Al-Jawarneh, the Director of International Relations and Projects Dr. Mwaffaq Otoom and the Director of Public Relations Mr. Mukhles Al-Ibbeni.

During their visit to the University, Abu El Haija and Dr. Rima Al Khader met the research team of "Geodesy and Geoinformatics for Sustainable Development in Jordan GEO4D" project to follow-up on implementing the project and provide advice for some aspects; the research team plans to establish three scientific laboratories in Geodesy and GIS at Jordanian universities, establish three MA programs, and activate e-learning in order to achieve quality assurance in teaching Geodetics.

The students' branch of IEEE "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers" at Hajjawi Faculty for Engineering hosted the 12th edition of IEEEextreme Global Programming competition that lasted for 24-hours. The Dean of the faculty Prof. Ahmad Al Shamaly and the Dean's Assistant for Quality Control Dr. Yazan Al-Issa supervised the competition and provided all the necessary equipment for 160 contestants representing 14 Jordanian universities with the support of more than 40 volunteers who worked around the clock, noting that Princess Sumaya University ranked 4th and 8th in the world among the 4000 participating teams.

An agreement of cooperation was signed on Oct. 18 between Yarmouk University and the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies represented by Dr. Yasser Maali regarding receiving graduate students from Yarmouk University with the presence of Vice Presidents Prof. Fawwaz Al-Abed Al-Haq, Prof. Ahmad Al-Ajlouni and Prof. Anis Khassawneh as well as Dr. Muhannad Al-Mubaidin.

The agreement provides that distinguished BA students would be able to pursue their postgraduate studies in social and human sciences, public administration, development economics, psychology and social work, conflict management and humanitarian work at the Institute; the agreement also indicated that the Institute allocates grants to Yarmouk students annually to cover tuition fees, accommodation, and health insurance, and that a committee would be appointed to study nominations and to conduct interviews with candidates.

Kafafi stated that the agreement provides an opportunity for students of the University to study in such an institute with a distinguished academic reputation. On the other hand, Al-Maali praised the prestigious scientific reputation of Yarmouk University at the Arab level and added that the Institute intends to increase the number of Jordanian students studying there. He also presented information about the establishment of the Institute which offers 17 MA programs in social, human and administrative sciences, adding that they aim to establish a Master program in human rights as well as a PhD program.