Pharmacists join with Jordanian counterparts in new partnership

LEADING members of the University’s Department of Pharmacy were invited to take part in a fact-finding visit with one of the top universities for applied sciences in Jordan and to discuss possible routes for future collaboration.

The team were invited to the Applied Science Private University (ASU), a private university located in the Shafa Badran suburb of Amman in Jordan. 

The Applied Science Private University is the first higher education institution in Jordan to achieve a Gold in the National Accreditation, including Quality Education, from the Accreditation and Jordanian Quality Assurance Commission for Higher Education Institutions. 

The Huddersfield delegation included the University’s Head of Pharmacy, Professor Barbara Conway, the Pharmacy Subject Leader, Dr Hamid Merchant, and Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy Dr Mamoon Al Deyab. 

As part of the visit and to further extend the partnership between the two universities, a memorandum of understanding was signed as a commitment towards future teaching and research collaboration.

As part of the visit, the Huddersfield team met with ASU’s Trustees Council Vice President, University President, Vice-President and its Dean of Pharmacy as well other senior academics.  The delegation were also invited to take part in ASU’s two-day International Scientific Forum, which took place around the title theme of New horizons and opportunities for pharmacy practice and education in Jordan.

During the event, Dr Merchant spoke about the UK’s pharmacy education and Dr Al Deyab outlined his ongoing research into antimicrobial stewardship and antibiotic resistance.  Professor Conway discussed the very latest in education and practice in the fields of pharmacy and tertiary education. 

Over the forum’s three days, the delegates heard a range of talks, from developing the English language and pharmacy competence of Jordanian students to the day-to-day practices they can adopt.

The initial link between the two universities came through Dr Al Deyab, who is originally from Jordan and who realised there was scope for collaboration between the two institutions that could benefit students from both the UK and within the Arab nation.

“The Applied Science Private University has over 6,000 students studying degrees across nine faculties,” said Dr Merchant, “and there is potential for a wider partnership with the ASU across a range of programmes throughout the University of Huddersfield.”