Middle East University recently played host to Dr. Christina Schwabenland, who is the official responsible for the hosted PhD programme at the University of Bedfordshire, UK. This visit constitutes a component of the executive work plan for the “Darbuna” project, which is funded by the British Council and is being implemented in partnership between the two universities. The objective of the project is to empower female Jordanian academics and enhance their leadership presence within higher education institutions.
The visit is considered part of a long-standing collaborative relationship between the two universities, which are united by a strategic partnership. The partnership encompasses the implementation of hosted academic programmes at the bachelor’s, master’s and PhD levels. This initiative is designed to facilitate knowledge integration and encourage the exchange of research and educational expertise in accordance with British standards of academic quality.
In the course of her meeting with the President of Middle East University, Professor Salam Al-Mahadin, her discussion focused on the progress of the “Darbu-na” project, an overview of developments within the hosted British PhD programme, and an exploration of mechanisms for developing joint research collaboration. This initiative is intended to contribute to the empowerment of both female and male researchers and broaden the horizons of international academic partnership.
Thereafter, Dr. Schwabenland convened with the local supervisors of the PhD programme. The purpose of this session was to review academic and procedural updates, revise research supervision policies, and discuss ways to enhance the quality of the research process. The objective of these actions is to ensure that the research process aligns with international standards in research and higher education.
During the visit, the Mentorship and Guidance Programme was formally introduced. This programme constitutes a fundamental element of the “Darbuna” project and is overseen by Dr. Ghadeer Khafsh, a graduate of the aforementioned PhD programme. The initiative’s objective is to establish an academic and professional support network among female PhD graduates and students. The establishment of this network will facilitate the exchange of expertise and enable the overcoming of research and professional challenges through a sustainable, participatory approach.
Concluding the visit was a research retreat, in which several researchers participated. This opportunity enabled them to engage in their research projects under the direct supervision of Dr. Schwabenland, who provided in-depth academic guidance and specialised feedback. This was conducted within the framework of enhancing the quality of published research and expanding MEU’s scope of international scientific publishing.