Higher Education for Innovation & Growth

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Higher Education for Innovation & Growth

Overview

Jordan’s economy is changing rapidly, creating new possibilities for talent and applied research in priority growth sectors, including digital technology, medical manufacturing, and agri-food security. Realizing this potential requires universities with strong connections to industry that can equip young people with market-relevant skills, strengthen workforce pathways, and generate innovations that solve real-world challenges. 

Through the Higher Education for Innovation and Growth (HEIG) Activity, IREX helps Jordanian universities to meet this challenge, to become stronger partners to industry, stronger pathways to employment, and stronger contributors to economic growth.  Working across higher education, industry, and government, HEIG is strengthening institutional performance, mobilizing U.S. and Jordanian private-sector engagement and investment, and strengthening the policy environment needed for long-term growth. 

Why This Matters Now

Expected Impact

Expected Impact

How HEIG Works

How HEIG Works

Strategic Pillars

Results to Date1. Clearer Pathways into Employment 

HEIG is helping universities move beyond traditional classroom teaching. 

Students are gaining opportunities to: 

  • Develop market-relevant skills 
  • Participate in experiential learning 
  • Engage directly with employers 
  • Access mentoring opportunities 
  • Participate in applied research 
  • Build practical experience before graduation 

Together, these approaches help universities create stronger, institutionally sustained pathways from learning to employment. 

 

2. Employers as Partners in Workforce Development

One of HEIG's defining features is that employers are not simply advisors; they are active partners and investors. 

Through collaboration clusters and partnership investments, employers help: 

  • Inform curriculum improvements 
  • Identify workforce priorities 
  • Support experiential learning 
  • Provide mentorship opportunities 
  • Participate in applied research 
  • Create employment pathways 
  • Invest in workforce development activities 

Employer Engagement at a Glance 

Through HEIG-supported partnerships, employers collaborated with universities to: 

  • Shape curricula around priority skills 
  • Provide internships, mentorship, and applied learning 
  • Co-design research and innovation activities 
  • Contribute technology, facilities, expertise, and financing 
  • Help create clearer pathways from education to employment 

To date, private-sector partners have committed more than $663,000 to HEIG-supported workforce and innovation solutions.  

 

3. Innovation for Economic Growth 

HEIG supports applied research partnerships that generate practical solutions for Jordan's growth sectors while strengthening workforce outcomes. 

Examples include: 

  • Sustainable agriculture innovations 
  • Precision agriculture technologies 
  • Industry-driven research 
  • Digital agriculture modernization 
  • Technology-enabled workforce solutions 

Innovation is not pursued for its own sake. It is used to help students gain practical experience, support employer competitiveness, and strengthen economic growth. 

 

4. Future-Ready Higher Education 

HEIG supports the policies and systems needed to sustain workforce development and innovation. 

This includes: 

  • Collaboration with the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC) for employer-responsive policy development  
  • Responsible AI frameworks for higher education  
  • Micro- and nano-credential pathways 
  • HEI Peer Network activities.
Through this partnership, universities and companies are working together to turn applied research into practical solutions for Jordan’s growth sectors.

Innovation and Partnership Spotlights

Innovative and Strategic Partnership Spotlights

Partners

HEIG is implemented through a partnership model that connects U.S. and Jordanian expertise with universities, policymakers, and private-sector actors. 

Implementing Consortium 

  • IREX 
  • Virginia Tech 
  • Integrated International 
  • Business and Professional Women Association (BPWA) 
  • Green Tech 

Counterparts and Clients: 

 

Jordanian University Partners 

  • Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) 
  • University of Jordan 
  • Yarmouk University  
  • German Jordanian University  
  • Tafilah Technical University (TTU) 
  • Al Al-Bayt University (AABU) 

National Policy Partners 

  • Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission (AQAC) 
  • Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MoEHRD) 

Private-Sector and Innovation Partners 

HEIG also works with private-sector and innovation partners through Partnership Incubation Fund activities and Catalytic Collaboration Clusters. Current examples include: 

Private-Sector and Innovation Partners
HEIG Partner Logos