AQABA - The port city's first university will start receiving students by 2011, according to an Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) official.
Under an agreement signed between the Aqaba Development Corporation (ADC) and the Aqaba Education Company (AEC), construction on the JD100 million university is to start soon.
ASEZA Chief Commissioner Hosni Abu Gheida, who attended the signing ceremony last Wednesday, said the Aqaba University of Technology will be the first of a series of universities to be built in the city.
"The establishment of the university in Aqaba is a significant step due to the magnitude of its economic and developmental influence on the coastal city, in addition to its educational excellence and unique specialisation in technology," Abu Gheida added.
Highlighting that the establishment of the university is an indicator that the zone is on the right track towards translating His Majesty King Abdullah's vision as well as meeting the needs of Aqaba citizens and investors alike, he noted ASEZA will continue to focus its efforts on attracting investments in the educational sector as it plays a significant role in developing the economy and enforces sustainable development.
Under the agreement, the university will be operational by 2011 as soon as developers ensure all necessary funds are available and the main specialisations are specified.
According to AEC Deputy Chairman Jawad Anani, the university will include five main faculties focusing on specialties in demand in the region.
These include the management and finance faculty, which will provide degrees in business administration, accounting, financial analysis, marketing and international business; the engineering faculty, which includes energy, water, environment, urban planning, mining, traffic and roads, in addition to energy, water and environment management; and the medical technology faculty, which will focus on advanced technological diagnosis and treatment. In addition, the university will incorporate ICT and education faculties.
According to Anani, a language centre, computer labs and a small modern school will be established within the university.
Furthermore, a scholarship fund will be set up for both excelling and low-income students, while a certain number of the scholarships will be allocated specifically to Aqaba residents on a yearly basis, he said.
ADC CEO Imad Fakhoury said investment in education in general, and in technology specifically, will enhance the competitiveness of the zone, especially in light of the accelerating international digital economies.
He added that investing in the IT and educational sectors positively will affect the national economy by accumulating national capital, pushing the wheel of economic development forward and providing the country with hard currencies.
By Mohammad Ghazal
© Jordan Times 2008
