Khaberni - Middle East University welcomed Dr. Cristina Schweinland, the official responsible for the hosted Ph.D. program at the University of Bedfordshire in the UK, as part of the executive action plan for the "Darbuna" project, which is funded by the British Council and implemented in partnership between the two universities to empower Jordanian academic women and enhance their leadership presence in higher education institutions.
The visit is part of an extended path of institutional academic cooperation between the two universities, which includes a strategic partnership that involves implementing hosted academic programs at the bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels, thereby reinforcing knowledge integration and enhancing the exchange of research and educational experiences according to British standards of academic quality.
During her meeting with the President of Middle East University, Professor Dr. Salam Al-Mahadin, the progress of the "Darbuna" project was discussed, as well as the developments of the hosted British Ph.D. program, alongside discussing mechanisms to develop joint research cooperation, contributing to the empowerment of researchers and expanding the horizons of international academic partnerships.
Dr. Cristina also held a meeting with the local supervisors of the Ph.D. program, dedicated to discussing academic and procedural updates, reviewing research supervision policies, and discussing ways to develop the quality of the research process and ensure its alignment with international standards in research and higher education.
During the visit, the mentoring and guidance program was launched, which is one of the core components of the "Darbuna" project, led by Dr. Ghadeer Khafsh, one of the graduates of the hosted Ph.D. program. The program aims to establish an academic and professional support network among Ph.D. graduates and students, contributing to the exchange of experiences and overcoming research and professional challenges through a sustainable collaborative approach.
The visit concluded with a research retreat involving several researchers, allowing them to work on their research projects under the direct supervision of Dr. Cristina, who provided in-depth academic guidance and specialized feedback, with the aim of enhancing the quality of published research and expanding the international scientific publication sphere of Middle East University.
