British Ambassador Launches Second Phase of MEU and Strathclyde Partnership… Inaugurates Translation Laboratory and Announces Launch of New Disciplines

Amman – The British Ambassador to Amman, Bridget Brind, has launched a new package of international hosted programs in cooperation with the University of Strathclyde at the Middle East University. Present at the launch were the Head of the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions Prof. Dafer Al-Sarayreh, the President of the University of Strathclyde Prof. Sir Jim McDonald, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Middle East University Dr. Yacoub Nasereddin, and the University President, Prof. Salam Al-Mahadin.

The ceremony witnessed the inauguration of the Applied Translation Laboratory, which is part of the new hosted MSc in Applied Translation program with the University of Strathclyde, which will welcome the first cohort of students in October 2023. The Middle East University also announced the launch of two new programs: Masters in Strategic Financial Technology, and Masters in Business Administration in April 2024, joining the joint pharmacy program MPharm, the first of its kind in the region.

The launch ceremony was attended by a number of members of the Higher Education Council, the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions, Arab cultural attachés, representatives of the Prime Ministry, the Lower House, unions, bodies, schools, members of the University’s Board of Directors and Trustees, the Giza District Provincial Governor, Mr. Nasser Al-Shawabkeh, the Mayor of Giza, Mr. Qadr Al-Fayez, and new students in the hosted programs.

In this regard, British Ambassador affirmed the UK’s commitment to building mutually beneficial educational partnerships around the world to support the prosperity of both sides. She continued, saying that it is great to see the next step in this partnership through the inauguration of the Applied Translation Laboratory that will provide the highest levels of translation and interpretation training, as well as advanced skills to support the market, and create new growth and work opportunities in Jordan.

Similarly, Sir McDonald expressed his happiness with the path that the University of Strathclyde and the Middle East University are taking, and that the spirit of initiative and innovation of “MEU” has played a key role in making this a realistic, serious, and constantly developing partnership. He added saying: “Years ago, I stood here to announce our partnership with the Middle East University, and here I am today, after years of hard work, introducing a new phase of exceptional achievements in the field of university education.”

He pointed out that the University of Strathclyde was named the European Entrepreneurial University of the Year, in recognition of its outstanding efforts in providing all of its students, employees, and graduates with the opportunity to develop an entrepreneurial mindset. He went on to say that this aligns with the aspirations of the Middle East University, which is part of this brilliant success.

For her part, Prof. Al-Mahadin said that this evening serves as a gateway to publicize a unique kind of relationship that brings together two educational institutions that are serious about the development of education, strengthening global ties, and supporting the academic potential of Jordanian students.

She explained that the hosted and joint programs are indeed a pioneering project, which has not yet been replicated by other Jordanian universities. She went on to say that the idea is very simple, but very strong in terms of its effects, which is to give Jordanian students the opportunity to study for a British academic degree taught by British faculty members without leaving Jordan, a true national experience on the campus of our dear university.

The joint pharmacy program MPharm, launched in the Middle East University, features a study plan that allows students to travel to study in the UK until they complete the graduation requirements. The program divides the five years of studies in a way which allows students to study the first three years of the program at the Middle East University, and the last two years at the University of Strathclyde.

In addition to the above-mentioned program, the MSc in Applied Translation program qualifies students to obtain a master’s degree from the University of Strathclyde without leaving Jordan, with a one-year study duration on the campus of the Middle East University by professors from the prestigious University of Strathclyde.