New agricultural development and water management project in Jordan set to start in March
On 13 and 14 January, MSM Project Director, Diederik de Boer and Project Manager, Hans Nijhoff met with project partners from the University of Jordan and Al-Balqa Applied University in Amman, Jordan to discuss the start of the new Nuffic Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) in Jordan.
Together with CINOP, Q-Point BV, Profyta BV and Acacia Water BV, Maastricht School of Management (MSM) will start a Nuffic funded project in Jordan to enhance and modernize horticulture curricula and programs of Shoubk University College, Al-Huson University College, University of Jordan and Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU). The aim is to narrow the skills gap of graduates and the industry. Another important component of the project is to strengthen entrepreneurial skills of students and stimulate self employment in the sector. The project will be implemeted in the context of improving horticulture productivity through more efficient usage of irrigation water.
MSM delegates visited the local partners in early January to lay the foundation for implementation. They also visited the Dutch Embassy in Jordan to see how the project can link to other Dutch-funded projects – both existing and upcoming. The team visited the Jordan valley where most of the greenhouse horticulture is based, and assessed the potential of the Agricultural research center of the University of Jordan to become a training hub of staff and students of the two participating TVET Colleges, and to become a base for collaborations between horticulture education, private horticulture companies, and (semi) government institutions in agriculture and water.
Official kick-off
The visit was also intended to discuss the official kick-off of the project with the University of Jordan, BAU, and the two participating Colleges. The program was discussed and plans were made for this launch to take place in early March 2020, which is when the project is set to officially start.
Nuffic Orange Knowledge Programme
The Orange Knowledge Programme is a €195-m Dutch global development programme, available in 53 developing countries and managed by Nuffic, a Dutch non-profit organisation for internationalisation in education. Launched mid-2017, it aims to have provided tens of thousands with the possibility to change their future through education and training by mid-2022.
Read more about the project
MSM strengthens its project activities in the Middle East
