“Aqaba University College and the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center / Al-Balqa Applied University received a specialized committee from the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission. During the visit, the committee reviewed the available facilities and resources at the center and the college, and followed up on the workflow in accordance with the highest standards of quality and academic accreditation.”
As part of the extracurricular activities organized by the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center / Al-Balqa Applied University, the trainees of the preparatory and renewal courses participated with their instructors in a friendly football match held at the Center’s field
This event aims to foster teamwork and collaboration, and to strengthen positive communication between the trainees and the training staff, contributing to a comprehensive educational environment that combines academic excellence with purposeful activities
The Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center / Al-Balqa Applied University is honored to receive the Institutional Accreditation Certificate from the Libyan Ports and Maritime Transport Authority, presented by the Authority’s President, Eng. Mohammed Salem Al-Siouwi, during the Authority’s delegation visit to the center
The delegation was received by the Dean of Aqaba College and the Center’s Director, Dr. Hassan Rafi’ Shahin, where discussions focused on strengthening cooperation and exchanging expertise in maritime education and training. The visit also included a field tour of the center’s facilities and a meeting with Libyan students enrolled in training courses
This achievement reflects the Center’s commitment to developing maritime competencies and fostering academic and professional partnerships between maritime institutions, contributing to the advancement of the maritime transport sector across the region 
In a landmark achievement that enhances its academic and professional standing, Al-Balqa Applied University has received three prestigious international quality certifications for the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center from the French global classification body Bureau Veritas (BV), in recognition of the Center’s commitment to applying the highest international standards in its training and academic programs
The Center was awarded the ISO 9001:2015 certification for Quality Management Systems, the ISO 21001:2018 certification for Educational Organizations Management Systems, and the ISO 24438:2023 certification for Maritime Education and Training Services — the latter making the Aqaba Center the first institution in the world to receive it
These certifications are accredited by several renowned international bodies, including the International Accreditation Forum (IAF), the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), the French Accreditation Committee (COFRAC), and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)
Professor Dr. Ahmad Fakhry Al-Ajlouni, President of Al-Balqa Applied University, emphasized that this achievement adds to the university’s distinguished record of accomplishments and reflects the international confidence in the quality of the programs offered by the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center, as well as its ability to provide the maritime sector with highly qualified professionals
For his part, Professor Dr. Hassan Rafie’ Shaheen, Dean of Aqaba University College, stated that obtaining these international certifications represents a recognition of the Center’s quality and excellence, making it a preferred destination for students from various Arab and international countries. He stressed that this success is the result of collective effort and fruitful cooperation between the Center’s staff and its partners
The certification handover ceremony was attended by Professor Dr. Khaled Al-Zoubi, Vice President for Administrative Affairs, Centers, and Community Service; Captain Yousef Al-Sarhan, Chairman of the Board and General Manager of the Advisory Alliance Company; Captain Saif Saqr, Director of Venecia Company; and Captain Tamim Al-Imam, a specialized lecturer. Representatives of Bureau Veritas were also present, including Mr. Ahmad Al-Khawaja, Executive Director; Mr. Talal Al-Harafsheh, Certification Director; and Ms. Dana Al-Khalidi, Sales Manager 
Dr. Mahmoud Khalifat, the Director General of Aqaba Ports Corporation, along with a team of department heads from the port, discussed ways to strengthen cooperation and establish a sustainable partnership with Aqaba University College. They were welcomed by Dr. Hassan Rafea Shaheen, the Dean of the college, along with several faculty members. The discussion focused on the best methods to qualify and train workers at Aqaba Port, especially in the Operations and Public Safety Departments, as well as other facilities at the port
Dr. Khalifat emphasized the importance of practical and continuous training for port employees, particularly for the 1,200 staff members in the Operations Department. He stressed the need for memoranda of understanding between the port and the university, particularly in training and maritime consultancy, to help achieve the port’s vision of becoming a regional competitor. He also highlighted the importance of utilizing the logistical capabilities available at Al-Balqa Applied University in Aqaba, with the Ports Corporation ready to provide technical support to improve the university’s training facilities for the benefit of port employees and students from maritime sectors
On his part, Dr. Hassan Rafea Shaheen expressed the university’s readiness to provide specialized training in maritime transport through the Maritime Transport Technology program and the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center, as well as through qualified training rooms and specialized faculty members in ports and maritime transport. He pointed out that signing a partnership agreement with the port would be a valuable addition to the maritime transport sector employees, especially with the presence of an advanced simulation room and training laboratories for maintenance and working on maritime equipment. He also emphasized the need to establish specialized departments in maritime transport technology, marine engineering, and marine mechanics
At the end of the meeting, Dr. Khalifat and the accompanying delegation took a field tour of the university’s departments and faculties, including training rooms related to maritime transport, maintenance rooms, and simulation facilities
In line with the direction of Al-Balqa Applied University, in partnership with leading institutions, and to meet the training standards of the Jordan Maritime Commission, the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center, together with the Aqaba Civil Defense Directorate, organized the practical training for the Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting course for bachelor’s and diploma students, under the supervision of the course instructor, Dr. Eng. Mohammad Khair Kanaan.
The Center sincerely thanks the Civil Defense Directorate, represented by its Director, Colonel Issa Al-Zaghaiba. Highly qualified Civil Defense personnel, experienced in dealing with natural disasters and fires, trained our students, introduced them to all the equipment used in fire fighting, and guided them through a simulated fire in designated training areas. Their contribution had a significant impact on achieving the training outcomes, and we thank them for their efforts.
A delegation from the Libyan National Shipping Company visited the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center in a step aimed at enhancing cooperation in the field of maritime training. The delegation included several officials from the Libyan National Shipping Company, who toured the center’s facilities, where they were briefed on the latest training programs and technologies used in qualifying specialized human resources in maritime transport. During the visit, ways to cooperate between the two parties in developing advanced training programs that keep pace with the latest developments in the maritime transport sector and contribute to enhancing the efficiency of workers in this field were discussed. For their part, officials from the Libyan National Shipping Company praised the high level of training and qualification provided by the Aqaba Center, emphasizing the importance of continued cooperation between the two parties to achieve common goals in developing the maritime sector and enhancing maritime security and safety in the region.
Within the orientations of Al-Balqa Applied University and in partnership with leading institutions, and in order to achieve the training standards of the Jordanian Maritime Authority, the Aqaba Maritime Education and Training Center , in partnership with the Aqaba Civil Defense Directorate, organized practical training for the advanced training course in fire prevention and fighting for the center’s students. The center sincerely appreciates what the Civil Defense Directorate is doing, represented by its director, Colonel Issa Al-Zagheiba, as the Civil Defense cadres – who are highly qualified in dealing with natural disasters and fires – trained our dear students and informed them of all the equipment used to fight fires and ignite a mock fire in areas designated for training and with their guidance. The training of its cadres had a great impact in achieving the training outcomes. Many thanks for their efforts.
