Category: News

Aqaba – The Director General of the Jordan Maritime Commission, Eng. Ahmad Al-Asasleh, paid an official visit to Aqaba University College and the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center (AMETC) at Al-Balqa Applied University to review the current status of maritime education and training, as well as the development plans aimed at strengthening Jordan’s position as a leading regional hub in this vital sector.
He was welcomed by Dr. Mousa Saleh, Vice Dean of Aqaba University College, and Captain Yousef Fahd Al-Sarhan, Chairman of the Board of the Maritime Advisory Coalition. During the meeting, they presented the academic programs and study plans in the field of maritime studies, highlighting the significant developments achieved in recent years in line with international standards and the evolving demands of the maritime labor market.
The visit included a comprehensive tour of the college and training center’s facilities. Eng. Al-Asasleh visited the sports training complex dedicated to swimming and maritime rescue training, the Maritime Firefighting Training Center project, the state-of-the-art Maritime Simulation Complex—one of the most advanced training facilities in the region—which represents a significant leap forward in qualifying and training Jordanian and Arab maritime professionals, as well as the Engineering Workshops Complex.
Eng. Al-Asasleh expressed his admiration for the advanced level achieved by Aqaba University College and the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center, praising the remarkable accomplishments in developing the educational and training infrastructure and the provision of modern facilities and equipment that enhance the competence of students and trainees in accordance with international best practices.
He emphasized that these achievements reflect the Royal Vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein in advancing vocational and technical education and training and establishing specialized educational institutions capable of competing at both regional and international levels. He also noted that what he observed during the visit represents a successful model of integrating academic education with practical training in the maritime sector.
The Director General also reviewed the growth indicators of the specialized maritime transport training programs. The Center has witnessed a notable increase in the number of training courses and participants over the past period, reflecting the growing confidence in the professional and academic standards offered by the College and the Center to serve both the Jordanian and regional maritime sectors.
At the conclusion of the visit, Eng. Al-Asasleh commended the efforts of Al-Balqa Applied University, Aqaba University College, and the Maritime Advisory Coalition in advancing the maritime education and training system. He stressed the importance of continuing joint cooperation to enhance the competitiveness of Jordan’s maritime sector and to prepare highly qualified national professionals capable of meeting the needs of the maritime transport industry at the local, regional, and international levels.

Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center / Al-Balqa Applied University is pleased to participate in the inaugural edition of ABOFA Expo, a global event that brings together leaders and innovators from the maritime industry in the heart of Aqaba, Jordan.

The exhibition is built around six key pillars: diving, marine sciences, water sports, hospitality, the boating sector, and government entities, with the aim of fostering international collaboration and advancing the blue economy.

📅 Date: 9–12 September 2026
📍 Venue: Aqaba International Exhibition Center

In line with the outcomes of the trilateral summit between Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq, which called for the twinning of maritime education institutions, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Al-Balqa Applied University in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. The memorandum aims to enhance academic and research cooperation between the two parties.

The memorandum included several areas of cooperation, the most important of which are student exchange programs at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, the development of joint academic programs, including postgraduate studies in Maritime Transport, as well as the exchange of faculty members and the provision of opportunities for pursuing higher education.

The agreement also stipulates the implementation of joint research projects, the exchange of scientific papers and publications, and the organization of joint workshops, conferences, and scientific and cultural forums.

The agreement was signed on behalf of the Arab Academy by Professor Dr. Ismail Abdel Ghaffar Ismail Farag, President of the Academy, and on behalf of Al-Balqa Applied University by Professor Dr. Ahmad Fakhri Al-Ajlouni, President of the University.

Both parties emphasized that this memorandum represents an important step toward strengthening scientific and academic cooperation in a manner that contributes to the development of education and scientific research and keeps pace with the requirements of local and global labor markets.

The Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center / Al-Balqa Applied University participated in the JIFEX Maritime Shipping and Logistics Conference, which was held at the Exhibition Center in the city of Aqaba, under the patronage of His Excellency the Prime Minister Dr. Jaafar Hassan, with broad participation from official and private entities, as well as experts and specialists in the maritime and logistics sector.

The Center’s participation included a specialized panel discussion on maritime human resource qualification, in which Captain Youssef Al-Sarhan took part. He emphasized the importance of developing maritime education and training in accordance with the latest international standards and aligning training programs with the needs of the maritime labor market, contributing to enhancing the efficiency of national cadres and strengthening their regional and international competitiveness.

The Center also participated through a dedicated booth that showcased its academic and training programs, accredited courses, and its role in preparing and qualifying students and maritime professionals. The booth was supervised by a group of lecturers and maritime students and witnessed notable interest and interaction from conference visitors and those interested in maritime affairs.

The conference was distinguished in all aspects in terms of organization, the level of participation, and the richness of discussions, reflecting the importance of such events in supporting the maritime shipping and logistics sector and strengthening partnerships between education and training institutions and both the public and private sectors.

Al-Balqa Applied University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Aqaba Company for Ports Operation and Management to strengthen cooperation in implementing specialized training programs in maritime safety and port operations, in accordance with the latest international standards adopted at the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center.

This step comes as part of reinforcing the partnership between the academic and operational sectors in the city of Aqaba, contributing to enhancing the competencies of the workforce in the maritime sector through high-quality training courses aligned with the requirements of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), STCW standards, and modern port operation systems.

Both parties emphasized that this cooperation meets the needs of the maritime sector for practical training programs that develop the skills of current employees and prepare new cadres capable of meeting safety requirements, handling procedures, and managing advanced port operations.

Work will begin soon on preparing and implementing the training programs, which will be conducted at the facilities of the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center and at the company’s port sites, ensuring an effective and practical training environment.

This collaboration is expected to support the maritime transport system in Jordan and strengthen Aqaba’s position as a regional hub for training and capacity building in the maritime and port sectors.

 Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center welcomed Miss Zowein “Mohammad Amin” Madi, Vice Chairwoman of the Royal Federation for Marine Sports.

During the visit, Miss Madi toured the center’s facilities and training programs, and was introduced to the latest specialized maritime classrooms and laboratories. She also observed the workflow and the training methods provided to the trainees.

The center’s management expressed its appreciation for this valuable visit , which reflects the ongoing interest in the maritime sector and specialized training in Aqaba.

The Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center today welcomed a delegation from the International Maritime Science Academy, headed by Captain Ahmad Samir, Chairman of the Board, accompanied by Captain Ahmad Bahaa and media representative Ibrahim Al-Nabi. The delegation was received by the Center’s Director, Dr. Hassan Rafe’ Shahin.

During the visit, the delegation toured the Center’s facilities and specialized training programs, and was introduced to the latest classrooms and laboratories equipped according to international standards. Discussions also covered ways to enhance mutual cooperation and exchange expertise to contribute to the development of the maritime sector and the preparation of qualified professionals.

This visit comes as part of the joint commitment to expand areas of partnership and support ongoing efforts to advance maritime education and training in Jordan and the region.

Within our ongoing commitment to the highest international standards of maritime training, the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center / Al-Balqa Applied University is pleased to announce the revision of the Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) course curriculum, in line with the latest amendments to the STCW Code issued by the International Maritime Organization under Resolution MSC.560(108).

The new amendments include training on:

1. Contributing to the prevention of violence and harassment on board ships.

2. Combating sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual assault.

3. Promoting a safe and respectful work environment for all seafarers.

4. Understanding how to respond and provide support according to trauma-informed principles.

At the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center, we reaffirm our commitment to developing our training programs and keeping pace with the latest international standards to ensure the preparation of qualified maritime personnel capable of working in a safe, respectful, and equitable environment for all.

The Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center had the honor of welcoming the Director General of the Jordan Maritime Authority, Engineer Omar Al-Dabbas, with the center’s director, Dr. Hassan Rafea Shaheen, receiving him.
During the meeting, strategic plans aimed at enhancing the level of maritime education and training and improving the quality of outcomes in accordance with international standards were discussed.
Dr. Shaheen praised the outstanding efforts of the Jordan Maritime Authority in developing the maritime education system, emphasizing its commitment to updating training programs and maintaining the high standard of the Jordanian competency certificate.