Balqa University, UNHCR sign MoU to expand higher education opportunities for refugees

AMMAN — Al Balqa Applied University (BAU) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UNHCR to establish the Higher Education Alliance in Jordan to ensure that refugee students can access higher education.

The memorandum was signed by BAU President Ahmad Ajlouni and UNHCR Deputy Representative in Amman Michael Dell'Amico, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Ajlouni stated that the MoU aims to unify efforts and address higher education issues related to refugees through the higher education alliance in Jordan.

He highlighted that the memorandum contributes to easing the burden on refugees by providing them with opportunities to pursue their academic studies through the university’s technical and applied specialisations.

Ajlouni referred to a decision by the university’s board of trustees to treat refugee students of various nationalities the same as Jordanian students in terms of tuition fees and to admit them to the parallel programme instead of the international programme.

Dell'Amico stressed the importance of inclusive and equitable higher education in the Kingdom, describing it as a gateway of hope for refugees to have the opportunity to pursue their higher studies and gain skills to contribute to rebuilding their homelands upon their return.

He said that Jordan serves as a "model" for making inclusive and equitable education a reality, with recent years witnessing significant improvements in refugee access to higher education.

The MoU stipulates enhancing cooperation to increase the access of refugee students registered with UNHCR to higher education, vocational and technical training.

The Higher Education Alliance in Jordan is a network of 17 public and private universities, government institutions, and charitable, economic, and humanitarian organisations, which aims to facilitate refugees’ access to higher education, technical education, and vocational training.