The President of Yarmouk University, Professor Islam Massad, met with a delegation from the American Shenandoah University headed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Amy Sarch, to discuss ways of scientific cooperation, thus paving the way to sign a memorandum of understanding to enhance academic and research cooperation between the two universities.

At the beginning of the meeting, Massad affirmed Yarmouk University's keenness to consolidate its cooperation with the American Shenandoah University, which will positively reflect on the educational and research process in both universities through joint research and scientific projects in various fields. Such cooperation, he stated, as represented by the zero hunger project through Refugees, Displaced Persons and Forced Migration Studies Center, aims at implementing one of the seventeen sustainable development goals set by the United Nations, which is concerned with eliminating hunger and providing food security. Massad then praised the cooperation of the two universities through the COIL Joint Teaching Project, which included 15 faculty members of Yarmouk besides their counterparts from Shenandoah University. Moreover, Massad affirmed the readiness of the Language Center to offer remote courses and educational programs in the field of Arabic for non-native speakers.

In return, Sarch praised the distinguished scientific reputation of Yarmouk University and its distinguished scientific competencies. She then reviewed the establishment of Shenandoah University in 1875 emphasizing that it offers postgraduate programs in different specialties and that it includes nearly 4,000 students, 8% of whom are international students.

During the meeting, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the two universities, considering that the memo stipulated the exchange of faculty and administrative staff as well as students between the two universities, conducting research projects in areas of Joint interest, establishing joint master's, doctoral and diploma programs, holding lectures, and organizing seminars.

The Refugee, Displaced Persons and Forced Migration Studies Center participated in a workshop for stakeholder groups within the Project of Migration among the Mediterranean Cities (Dialogue, Knowledge, Work). This workshop entitled "Urban Challenges and Opportunities in the Mediterranean Region  General Policy Recommendations".

The workshop, which was held in the Greater Irbid Municipality, included several axes of discussion. The most highlighted ones are: the status of migration, current developments, immigrants, human rights, the access to services, policies, initiatives of integration and complementary.

The director of the center, Prof. Reem Al Kharouf, said that Yarmouk University is one of the first national institutions that took care of the asylum file, displacement and forced migration. This is through the foundation of the refugee studies program in 1992. Afterwards in 1997, the center was established to be the first center in the Arab region and the Middle East which is specialized in asylum, displacement and forced migration issues. Its vision involves supporting decision makers and the researchers who are interested in those areas. This is by conducting studies, qualitative research, surveys and the implementation of the related projects as a national and regional research reference.

Al-Kharouf said that, more than 10 years after the Syrian asylum crisis, experts and specialists should head to the perspective studies aiming at reaching treatments and solutions which are based on experience and analysis. In addition, they should accurately link between the reality of the situation and the paces towards the future regarding to education, health and the necessary infrastructure services over the next 10 years.

She also emphasized that the future plans must be comprehensive and clear as well as moving beyond the reality of the situation towards an innovative and creative future contributes to solving problems, developing capacities and building real opportunities to address all the negatives associated with crises and emergency issues.

The President of Yarmouk University, Prof. Islam Massad, met the Canadian Ambassador, Donica Pottie in Amman, accompanied by the embassy's director of immigration program, Sarah Erlichman. They discussed ways to strengthen cooperation between the both sides.

           At the beginning of the meeting, Massad reviewed the emergence of Yarmouk University and its faculties and disciplines in various fields of medical, scientific, humanitarian, literary. Also, there are future aspirations to develop more specialties such as nursing. This will make Yarmouk University a comprehensive university with its academic specialties, and it will be attractive to students from different countries all over the world, in addition to the scientific centers that are included in the university. They have a distinguished scientific reputation at the local and regional level, especially since they conduct many research studies in topics that are directly related to the various problems the society suffered from.

              Massad appreciated the constant cooperation between Yarmouk University and the Canadian Embassy in Amman through the Canadian Government support to a number of scientific and research projects which are implemented by Yarmouk University, such as its support for Deir Ala Archaeological Studies station and the leadership academy network support project. This has positive impact on the university's educational and research process.

            Massad said that: Yarmouk University is preparing university students and providing them with various skills and knowledge on how to play their community role and engage in political life. This is by organizing lectures and seminars with political decision makers and those who are interested in the political field to introduce young people to how political and party life in Jordan works. This will allow Jordanian youth to participate in building, growing and developing Jordan's future.

              He is also pointed out that the University's Centre for Refugee, Displaced persons and Forced Migration Studies is about to launch its own new strategy which aimed at strengthening cooperation with international supporting organizations and entities. This allows faculty members, researchers and students at the university to conduct studies and research on refugees and migration several aspects.

               For its part, Pottie expressed the embassy's readiness to strengthen its existing cooperation with Yarmouk University by building bridges of cooperation between Canadian universities and Yarmouk University in various fields. She is also pointing out that the Canadian government supports a program of cooperation between Canadian universities and various universities in the world. She is referring to the possibility of Yarmouk University to take advantage from the Expo Programmed for Universities 2022 in this area. This is due to the presence of a number of Canadian university delegates in the activities of this program who are interested in entering cooperation agreements with different universities.

              The meeting was attended by Dr. Muwaffaq Al-Amoush, Vice President for Acadmic Affairs, Dr. Riad Al-Momani, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Dr. Reem Al Kharouf Director of the Centre for Refugee, Displaced and Forced Migration Studies, Dr. Nozt Abu Al-Asal, Director of Public Relations and Information, and Nancy Al-Atum of the Canadian Embassy.

            The Canadian Ambassador listened to a detailed explanation from the Center's Director, Dr. Reem Al Kharouf, about the center's origins, objectives, activities and strategic plan during her visit to the Center for Refugee, Displaced and Forced Migration Studies. They also discussed ways to enhance cooperation in the fields of scientific research, strategic initiatives and a range of ideas for future qualitative projects that targeting refugees in Jordanian society.

           The Ambassador also met the refugee center’s family and the volunteers during her visit. This is with a view to learning about the working processes and the ways in which refugees are served.

 On the occasion of the World Day of Refugee, which took place on the twentieth of June, the Refugees, Displaced Persons and Forced Migration Studies Center, in cooperation with Al-Hussein Bin Talal Library, organized a special event that included a screening of the documentary film of Mr. Tanimoto's Journey, which documents the journey of Mr. Tanimoto, the Japanese refugee, and his placement in the United States of America after World War II.

Prof. Al Kharouf, the Director of the Refugee, Displaced and Forced Migration Studies Centre, said that the Center is keen to invest in occasions related to issues of asylum, displacement and forced migration, which helps in reviewing the concerns, issues and problems of refugees at various levels through studies and research. For his part, the Director of the Al-Hussein Bin Talal Library, Dr. Omar Al-Ghoul, praised the joint cooperation between the Center and the various departments of the university. Besides, the film's director, Dr. Jesse A. Diszard, Professor of Visual Anthropology at California State University, Chico, thanked Yarmouk University and the Refugee Studies Center for screening the film that deals with the concept of identity and homeland as well as the experience of alienation inside the homeland. However, an extensive discussion took place among the audience at the end of the show.

The President of Yarmouk University, Prof. Islam Massad decided to reconstitute the Council of the Center for Refugee, Displaced and Forced Migration Studies at the University. This is headed by the Vice President of the University for Administration, Prof. Riad Al-Momani. The members are: the former Minister of Education Dr. Ibrahim Badran, Senator Dr. Ahmed Al Hindawi, former Minister of Youth Dr. Mohammad Abu Rumman, Director General of the Jordan River Foundation Ms. Enaam Al-Brishi, and the Executive Director of the Foundation for the Integration of Ms. Mai E’leimat.

 The council's membership also included many Deans of Faculties which are: the faculty of Arts, Economics and Administrative Sciences, and Law, as well as the Director of the Centre for Refugee, Displaced and Forced Migration Studies as a member and rapporteur.

Massad expressed his confidence in providing sincere efforts and drawing on the expertise of the council members in order to achieve the goals and aspirations of the Center and to carry out its mission to the fullest. The goals also involve motivating its career in order to contribute to the development of projects, research and mechanisms for providing qualitative services to refugees and host communities in accordance with national visions and the scientific strategies.

The Center is one of the scientific centers at the University. The University's interest in asylum began through the establishment of the Refugee Studies Program in 1992. Then in 1997, the center was established to be the first center in the Arab region and the Middle East which is specialized in issues of asylum, displacement and forced migration. The vision of the Center involves supporting decision makers and researchers on issues of asylum, displacement and forced migration by conducting studies, qualitative research, surveys and implementation of the related projects, as a national and regional research reference.

The President of Yarmouk University Prof. Islam Massad sponsored the events of "a retreat of setting research and national priorities in the field of asylum, displacement and forced migration" in Amman which has been organized by the Centre for Refugee Forced Migration Studies at Yarmouk University, in partnership with UNHCR.

        Massad stressed during his opening speech, in the presence of UNHCR Representative in Amman Daniele Tessandori.   We are meeting in this national retreat which includes an elite of experts, specialists and researchers in the field of refuge and its various issues to discuss multiple aspects and different angles. This aims at giving an answer of an important question in the field of scientific research which is where to start from? And how do we proceed? Especially, because we are dealing with an issue has high sensitivity and privacy, which is "asylum".

         He also stressed that the keenness of Yarmouk University to carry out its mission not only at the level of preparing scientific competencies in various fields of science and knowledge, but it also takes care of scientific research production which its results reflect in local and international communities and serve human beings wherever they are. It does not abandon them and their issues.  Its approach is to implement its projects and research within a comprehensive national strategy.    

        He added: from this sense, the center's team has initiated this activity which is distinguished by the presence of qualitative partners. They are capable to guide the track of scientific research in the fields of asylum and migration to a place where it must be. This is within a serious national vision and clear road milestones.

Massad pointed out that Yarmouk University has paid great attention to the activities and events of the Center for Refugee and Displaced Persons Studies and Forced Migration. This is based on its absolute belief that universities must provide the homeland with what can make it capable to face the challenges such as asylum and its associated challenges, crises and complex problems that reflect in the social, economic and political realities of societies. It goes beyond that to influence the future which we want to be better than the reality. We are seeking to serve our societies and homelands in order to achieve the directive of the wise Hashemite leadership. This generous Hashemite homeland has borne the consequences of asylum and its effects since its inception. It will continue to be a safe haven and destination for all those who have been lured by circumstances to leave their homelands.

         Tessandori expressed the UNHCR support and appreciation for the efforts that Jordan has made and still providing towards refugees. Jordan has taken the facade role in dealing with this humanitarian issue. He stressed that this Jordanian role is appreciated by UNHCR through Jordan's keenness to keep its doors open to receive large regiments of these refugees. He also appreciated the kingdom's positive approach towards the refugee file which is distinguished by its extending over decades throughout history. He pointed out that today we are not looking for cooperation with Jordan on the issue of refugees as much as we look at what we have both done on this subject. We have established a very large base to work together in order to develop ourselves. He pointed out that UNHCR is always seeking for strengthen coordination and enhancing response on refugee and asylum issues in general.

             added that this specialized retreat represents an opportunity to link the academic field and scientific research further in relation to practical aspects in terms of refugee issues in the field-based. He Expected to come up with a road map at the end of this retreat’s activities aimed to apply and translate this vision practically. Especially as this meeting brings together practitioners on the ground, academics and authorities to participate in this vision about asylum issues. This enshrines a common goal between the Jordan and UNHCR.

       Prof. Reem Al-Kharouf, the Director of the Center for Refugee, Displaced persons and Forced Migration Studies, confirmed that this retreat came after months of hard working and preparation to build a national base to work with refugees and for them. This is based on the center's vision which derived from the philosophy of Yarmouk University's mission. At that time, the most significant question was “Are we able to work in a distinct way based on study, planning and active participation?” And “Are we able to reach results worthy of the reputation of our university and our country?”

      She added that the answer of this question was “yes we can” in case we had a clear road map towards the goal we want to achieve. These are qualitative research that serve the country and develop one of our tools. So, the idea of building specialized research priorities for asylum and forced migrations was born. Researchers can benefit from this idea in our Arab region and the worldwide in a way it is determined by specialists.

          Al-Kharouf pointed out that refugees in the world do not only need support and assistance, but they also need research and study which make their way accessible for building the reality that they want. We are able to take this step despite all the challenges that we face.  In the sessions of this retreat, many topics were discussed such as axis the health, medical and psychological sciences and the axis of the economy, food and water security, innovation and leadership. Also, the axis of communication and information technology, the axis of humanities, social sciences and information, the focus of future studies and the global system and the challenges of the future have been discussed as well as the axis of environmental studies and the axis of legal protection for refugees in international and national legislation.

              The retreat recommended a set of recommendations at the end of the its sessions. The most notably recommendation is providing a comprehensive health database for Jordanians and refugees in details including primary health care, and studying the levels of change in social stigma and their relationship to access to psychological services. It also recommended that the role of refugees in the development of the host country's economy and labor market should be strengthened instead of being a burden on it. Participants also recommended investing technology in protecting environmental systems in refugee assembly areas, studying the importance of research in environmental psychology, and the participation of refugees in social development. In terms of legal protection of refugees in international and national legislation, the retreat recommended conducting research studies on finding a local refugee law and providing a study about the duplication of services that provided to refugees and their actual needs in the host community.

Representing the President of Yarmouk University, the Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Professor Riad al-Momani, in the presence of the Assistant President of the University, Professor Ziad Zureikat, sponsored the activities of the World Day of Refugee, which were held by the Refugees, Displaced Persons and Forced Migration Studies Center and the ALECSO Chair for Asylum, Displacement and Forced Migration.

The activities came in two parts: the first was a theatrical performance carried out by a group of volunteer students at the Center. The performance dealt with some details related to the journey of refugees, their suffering, and the difficulties they encounter, emphasizing the Jordanian role at various levels in hosting Arab refugees. The second part of the activities included a training workshop entitled "The Basics of Writing International Projects for Asylum and Dealing with Donors" presented by the member of the Center’s Board of Directors - CEO and founder of the Edmaaj Foundation for Development Consulting and Training, Ms. Mai E'leimt, with the participation of a group of faculty members from various faculties of the university, affiliates of the research network in the Center.

Prof. Al Kharouf, the Director of the Refugee, Displaced and Forced Migration Studies Centre , said at the end of these events that the diversity of the activities on this day is part of the center's policy which aims at introducing and raising awareness in unconventional ways in the host community of refugees, displaced persons, forcibly displaced persons and their developments.

She added that the training that included in this activity comes with an objective to develop the capabilities of the research network members at the center from the teaching staff of different colleges. In addition, it aims at developing ways to address refugee topics and issues in various fields, the specific skills required and the details contained whether in terms of scientific research or writing and implementing projects that would contribute to the provision of appropriate solutions for that category.

The Refugee, Displaced persons and Forced Migration Studies center at Yarmouk University launched the intensive diploma program in refugee studies in collaboration with the Academy of Refugee Studies. It is a free intensive diploma that addresses issues of asylum around the world. This program includes several courses which are taught through a visual communication technology. Every course has two hours a week with a total of 16 hours of instruction.

 The lectures vary in addressing several topics. The most prominent ones are: a general introduction to the issue of asylum in the world, the international and regional organizations, their roles in serving the refugees and the impact of asylum socially, culturally, economically and psychologically. It also talks about refugee rights in the international law, international asylum agreements, as well as refugee issues between integration and the preservation of identity in conditions of social media, migration and asylum (the Middle East as a model).

Prof. Reem Al Kharouf, the Director of the Center for Refugee Studies, said that the program was the result of the partnership between the Center and the Academy of Refugee Studies. It is one of the executed projects from future project series which intended to be implemented.

Al-Kharouf added that the center aims at working to raise awareness on issues of asylum, displacement and forced migration between refugees and members of the host community. This is based on its strategic plan and consistent with the university's mission in serving community. The Center also aims at highlighting the most salient issues in these areas as a national and regional research reference that support decision makers and researchers.

On behalf of Yarmouk University President, Prof. Islam Massad, the director of Refugees, Displaced Persons and Forced Migration Studies Center, Dr. Reem Al-Kharouf, sponsored the consultative session to develop the Medium-Term Strategic Plan for 2022-2024," for Refugees Centre". This session was held with a participation of a set of national and international organizations and agencies, in the circular hall of the seminar and conference building. 

Al-kharouf said in her opening statement that this consultative session intended to communicate and interact with the university and center's partners. Also, it intended to discuss and develop the suggested strategic plan for the Center's work over the next three years. This stems from Yarmouk University’s belief that the active partnership is the headline of the center's work in order to serve asylum issues and to work with the refugees.

She added that Yarmouk University looks at the refugee-related issues as a message that the Hashemites believed in. It is not a matter of welfare or temporary need for the Jordanian society which has been a safe haven for all needy and grieved since our precious homeland was founded. 

Al-Kharouf assured that this workshop and its outcomes including insights and recommendations towards the center's plan and activities according to a solid scientific approach, is based on constant work and assessment, will be appreciated and taken into consideration in the work of the center and its aspirations. It will be a qualitative addition in the center’s activities and programs in the coming days in order to achieve a new picture of working on refugee’s issues and addressing all the issues associated with them by research and study.

Al-Kharouf also presented, on the margins of the session, the most prominent features of the medium-term strategic plan for 2022-2024 in the work of the Center which are represented by research, studies and opinion polls, by creating a network of researchers and a research database, and attracting a number of these volunteer researchers from Jordan, neighboring and European countries to participate in the scientific studies that belong to refuge issues.

 As for the human resources, al-Kharouf said that the center's vision in this aspect is based on identifying staff training needs and setting up a training plan such as training the center's staff on English language skills, scientific research and project writing skills.

 She pointed out that the center's strategic plan also includes administrative and technical development and Networking, building partnerships and relations between public-private sectors and organizations. This happens through cooperation agreements, implementation of joint projects, programs, activities and events.

  She added that the plan also includes support for the administrative and technical decision of the center by establishing a database for refugees and displaced persons, and preparing a semi-annual statistical bulletin, in addition to preparing policy paper based on the results of studies, research, surveys and round tables.

 Regarding the focus of awareness and media outreach, al-Kharouf noted that this focus is based on creating social networking sites for asylum cases, taking interest in the news that related to asylum issues, displacement and forced migration and holding seminars, lectures and conferences on asylum issues. In addition to the newsletter on asylum issues.

 During the recommendations session which moderated by Dr. Alaa Al-Makhzoumi of the Faculty of Education and Dr. Lara Haddad of the Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, participants have recommended the need to strengthen institutional partnerships and to benefit from individual experiences within and outside the University and to Build a special educational model in the field of asylum, migrations and crises in general.

 Participants also have recommended the need to sustain activities and consultative sessions with relevant voluntary entities to discuss the objectives and the plans, to study the labor market, refine the skills of refugees and integrate them with the host community, to build international partnerships and to inform the center's staff about successful experiences in other countries and centers.