Master Programme in Environmental Technology and Management
at Princess Sumaya University (PSUT), Amman, Jordan

Responsible Institutions

Background

Environmental education of young professionals is a must for any society to successfully contribute to the reduction of environmental contamination and to foster the sustainable management of natural resources. Taking this into consideration a Master Programme in Environmental Technology and Management will be offered by the Princess Sumaya University for Technology. PSUT intends to improve its academic profile and to become a recognized partner for national and international organisations and private companies in the field of applied environmental research. Environmental technology is a professional line of specialization that is lacking in countries of the Arabian Peninsula and in the MENA region. Thus PSUT will be at a leading edge in carrying this topic forward and providing the required human capacity. The program will also materialize and strengthen ties under the Swiss–Jordanian cooperation.

Objective of the project

Form of cooperation

The University of Northwestern Switzerland in cooperation with the Royal Scientific Society in Amman (RSS), SBA, Lausanne and Ecosys, Geneva are assisting PSUT in the set-up of an accredited master programme. The advisory service includes the development of a pedagogic concept, the elaboration of a modular teaching programme and training of teachers in the application of modern environmental didactic tools. The Swiss partners and RSS will assist PSUT in the first years of programme implementation through joint teaching, adaptations of the content of the different teaching modules to the demands of the students and coaching of didactic behaviour. The project used successfully synergies with other Swiss financed project in the country, such as the SECO supported CP-project or the regional MESO-programme of SDC.

Results achieved

The Master Programme was approved by the Jordanian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in June 2007. The first 9 students from Jordan and the region started the master in February 08.

The following 8 modules will be taught:

• General environment status in Jordan
• Environment and sustainable development
• Environmental resources management
• Environmental management tools
• Cleaner Production
• Hazardous material, toxicology & health
• Environmental economics & meso analysis

The first 9 students at work

Conclusions

To start a complete new master programme from scratch is a big challenge. Various aspects have to be considered and hurdles removed before being able to start teaching. One of the biggest challenges but also satisfaction was the formal licensing by the Jordanian Ministry of Education. It would have never been possible to start the master programme without the strong individual enthusiasm and patience of all partners involved, including the full support by HRH Princess Sumaya during the entire preparation process.