Memorandum of Understanding Between Yarmouk University and the Jordan Hotels Association to Exchange Expertise and Enhance the Competitiveness of the Hospitality and Tourism Sector
Yarmouk University and the Jordan Hotels Association (JHA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to foster mutual cooperation, exchange technical expertise and information, and implement joint projects aimed at developing performance quality standards and enhancing the competitiveness of the hospitality and tourism sector.
The MoU was signed by Yarmouk University President Dr. Islam Massad and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Jordan Hotels Association, Hussein Hilalat, at the university's liaison office in the capital, Amman.
Dr. Massad emphasized that the signing of this MoU aligns with the university's efforts to strengthen partnerships between the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management and leading national institutions in the tourism and hospitality sectors. The agreement aims to support the college's mission by providing training opportunities for students, particularly those specializing in hotel management, at hotels affiliated with the Jordan Hotels Association.
He added that the MoU is of great significance as it enhances the practical aspects of education for students, consistent with the university’s vision to deepen student skills by integrating theoretical knowledge with practical expertise in tourism and hospitality. It facilitates training and employment opportunities for students and provides access to statistics and data for faculty and graduate students to conduct joint scientific research.
Dr. Massad highlighted the university's notable achievement in being ranked among the top 101-150 universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings for tourism, hospitality, and leisure management. This ranking underscores the academic excellence and quality of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management and its dedication to producing highly skilled graduates who contribute to advancing Jordan’s tourism sector.
Hussein Hilalat affirmed the JHA’s commitment to enhancing partnerships with national institutions and universities to serve Jordanian tourism, a key pillar of the national economy. He emphasized the association’s mission to achieve quality and efficiency in the hotel and tourism services sector and its workforce.
Hilalat noted the importance of this MoU with Yarmouk University, a leading Jordanian institution that has played a significant role in higher education, research, and community service. He also expressed the JHA’s enthusiasm for collaborating with the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management on student training and employment through activities such as career days, where students can interact with hotel recruitment managers.
The MoU outlines the organization of training courses and workshops to enhance student skills during training and employment in the hospitality sector, improve service quality, diversify tourism offerings, and develop national training programs aligned with labor market needs in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
It also includes conducting theoretical training, short workshops, and lectures on hotel establishment classification, inspections, and report preparation. Additionally, it facilitates field training for students within hotel establishments, creates job opportunities post-graduation, and supports participation in local and international conferences and exhibitions related to hotel education.
The signing ceremony was attended by Dr. Akram Rawashdeh, Dean of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management; Assistant Dean for Student Affairs, Agreements, and Training, Mr. Furat Al-Muhaisen; and Dr. Hikmat Shetanawi from the Department of Hotel Management.
