Events

Petra University

All partner universities have been participated in the competition that was held within TEJ project activities. Two forms should be filled in by the participants and sent to the project coordinator before 20^th of May, 2016 to be evaluated and presented in 31^st of the same month.
Instructions

1.       Eligibility: Undergraduate students who currently enrolled in a full time course and graduate students who attained their BA degree in the last 12 months.

2.       Participated Universities: Only students who universities are part of TEJ project are encouraged to apply for the competition.

3.       Team size: The number of team members is not limited and can be formed from different majors.

4.       Submission: All participant groups must submit their required documents before deadline. Any documents received after the deadline will be automatically disqualified.

Required documents

Form A: A summary of project, Problem you are trying to solve, Objectives, and Proposed Solution.

Form B: Business Model Canvas.

Isra University

A workshop for TEJ project was conducted in Isra University, on March 6, 2016. The workshop started with a welcome note from the President of Isra University Prof. Bassam Malkawi in addition to a brief overview about the university and its role in supporting TEJ project to achieve its objectives, then Prof. Walid Salameh, the project coordinator, delivered a speech thanking Isra University for hosting this workshop and reviewed the achieved objectives and coming outputs of the project.

He reviewed TEJ success story during the Brussels Meeting and noted to the effect of TEJ at the national level in addition to its role in cooperation between universities and private sectors

The universities mission and vision should be adapted to be more involved in community enhancing and should find the best ways for employing the new graduated students Prof. Salameh added.

He also stressed on enhancing TEJ portal and invited partners to enrich the site by adding their works and activities.

After that a general discussion took place and many points as well as suggestion were submitted as follows:

– Prof. Fawaz from Tafilah Technical Univrsity invited TEJ partners to attend the National conference (Tafilah University and Private Sectors) in the med of April.

– Dr. Ali Maquosi from Petra University suggested a meeting with private sectors to explore the benefits of applying TEJ results for both sides.

– Prof. Mohammad Abbadi from Mutah University presented the activities applied by Mutah University with all big companies around the University of Mutah and the joint projects with these companies.

– Dr. Mohammad Jaafry from IPARK and Eng. Hisham Qattan suggested formulating a delegation to visit the Jordanian Chamber of Industry.

Prof. Walid after that showed the importance of the REO offices and informed the participants about the preparations for the students visit to Porto University in addition to the suggested agenda and subjects during the visit.

PSUT

Under the patronage of PSUT president, Prof. Mashhoor Alrefai, the national conference of TEJ project, which is funded by Tempus program and aims at stimulating the development of a Jordanian university enterprise cooperation culture, was held on February 11, 2016.

Prof. Mashhoor in the opening speech referred to the need for an alliance between the Jordanian universities and enterprises by enhancing the relationship between universities and the social and economic environment; moreover he called to increase the products quality and create job opportunities for the qualified students that meet the need of local, regional and international labor market; which is all in line with the objectives of TEJ EU project.

Despite the lack of budgets allocations in the deanship of scientific research, but it remains valuable if well invested by focusing on the qualitative researches that meet the national needs to be converted into a prototype for an emerging companies; Prof. Mashhoor added.

Finally Prof. Mashhoor presented a brief about the majors and programs offered in PSUT and reviewed the university achievements on the local and international levels.

The former minister of finance, HE Dr. Mohammad Abu Hammour, reviewed the real partnership experience between business and academic sector.

Dr. Abu Hammour referred to the global financial crisis that hit the world in 2008 which was caused by mortgages and drying the credit; but today, the labor market returned back to commodities trading and competition spirit as happening in the universities, which means focusing on the graduates’ quality and the role of university in integrating the students into the local community.

The alliance between the business and academic sector shall contribute in solving the unemployment issue that Jordanian economy is suffering of nowadays, Abu Hammour explained; pointing out that unemployment percentage 13.9% is a high rate and needs to be addressed.

He added that Jordanian labor market provides 50 thousand job opportunity out of 100 thousand annually enter the labor market; pointing out that the project will create job opportunities through innovation, inventions and initiatives particularly in the applied sciences and industry sectors and both provide about a quarter million vacancies.

Prof. Walid Salameh, the project coordinator, presented an introduction about TEJ project and its role in opening the prospects of cooperation between the business and academic sectors. He showed that TEJ is built on benefiting from the community capacities and collaborative work in order to provide a new products capable of spreading widely in the market.

In his speech; prof. Walid reviewed the areas of cooperation between business and academic sectors which falls under research and development, curriculums development to accommodate market needs, constant education, joint productive ventures, social responsibility for regions development in addition to students-academics exchange and governance.

Prof. Walid pointed out to the obstacles and factors that affect this collaboration which revolves about funding issues and variation in the occupational culture between private sector and academic institutions noting to the need for enhancing this cooperation by reconsider the innovation process.

After that representatives from the private sector, academic institutions and project partners presented their practices and experience in TEJ project and its effect on their institutions, academics and students.

The papers delivered through the conference were presented by Mr. Mohammad Otoum (Samsung training director/ Levant), Dr. Maher Almahrouq (GM Jordan chamber of industry), Dr. Mohammad Aljafari (iPARK), Dr. Fawaz Alabed Alhaq (TTU), Dr. Raed Abu Zitar (AUM), Dr. Ali Almaqousi (UOP), Dr. Ahmad Khasawneh (HU), Ms. Serene Duwairy (iPARK), Dr. Ali Aldahoud (ZUJ), Dr. Ahmad Odat (INU), Dr. Abdelrahim Abu Al Basal (PSUT), Mohammad Abbadi (Mutah University), Ms. Buthaina Alshare (MOHE), Dr. Jamal Zraqou (Isra University) and Mr. Mohammad Obeidat (iPARK).

At the end of conference, Petra University was awarded a prize for winning the best business plan competition that was held within the project’s activities frame.

PSUT

TEJ project partners attended a meeting on January 14th and 24th, 2016, at PSUT in order to discuss the project’s progress and the national conference preparations.

Jan 14th, 2016 – Prof. Mashhoor Alrefai, President of PSUT, attended the meeting and welcomed the guests then prof. Walid Salameh, the project’s coordinator, discussed the preparation of the national conference and asked the partners to submit their suggestions and opinions regarding the national conference.

Partners interacted positively and many suggestions were provided regarding the conference organisation, the call for papers and the deadlines for submitting and accepting participants’ papers, in addition to determining the invited persons from the partners’ institutions and the enterprises.

The meeting was moderated by Prof. Walid Salameh who reviewed at the end the progress of the project and requested from partners to submit their reports on project activities regularly and activate the REO offices in addition to update its materials.

Jan 24th, 2016 – TEJ partners attended the meeting to put the final touches on the national conference preparations. Prof. Walid Salameh welcomed the presents and reviewed the agenda of conference, important date and submitted papers.

The attendees agreed that the keynote speaker will be, His Excellency Dr. Mohammad Abu Hammour, the former minister of Finance and confirmed inviting the representatives of business sector, academic staff and students to attend the event.

Tafila Technical University

A monitoring visit for TEJ project was conducted at Tafila Technical University, on November 11th, 2015 and attended by TEJ partners. The Vice President of Tafila University, Prof. Fawwaz Alabed Alhaq, started the meeting and welcomed the participants. He stressed that Tafila University is always keen to build up partnerships in the interest of international research activities such as TEJ project, and that Tafila University would spare no efforts in supporting all scientific research initiatives.

Prof. Abu Elhaija, Director of National Erasmus+ Office (NEO) – Jordan, gave a little speech elaborated more on this project and its expected outcomes. He also described other Erasmus+ projects and their distribution in Jordan in addition to the future plans and possible ways to apply for proposals.

After that the project’s coordinator Prof. Walid Salameh reviewed the achievements and the coming activities of TEJ project.

Prof. Walid described the role of the EU, Jordanian Universities and the government in accomplishing the project’s targets. He explained for all attendance what is required from them in order to succeed in accomplishing the project goals.

He also spoke about establishing the REO offices which contribute in providing the students with training sessions before joining the labor market.

EU representative, Mr. Clivio Casali, gave a welcome note with an overview of the project as well as key introductory inputs and schemes of operating transmission to enterprises within procedural channels. He also mentioned the importance of promoting student base entrepreneurship and how to engage them to be part of it for several reasons.

Participants gave a presentation on what have been accomplished at their institutes so far, moreover the discussions between the presents were valuable for knowledge and experiences exchange.

Mutah University

A new workshop for TEJ project was conducted at Mutah University, on November 3, 2015 and attended by TEJ partners.

The Vice President for International Affairs and Quality Assurance at Mutah University prof. Thafer Assaraira welcomed the participants and stressed on Mutah University readiness to provide all capabilities and assistance to implement the project’s plan.

After that the project’s coordinator Prof. Walid Salmeh reviewed the achievements and the coming activities of TEJ project. He also spoke about the first national conference for TEJ that will be held on February 2016 in addition to establishing the REO offices which contribute in providing the students with training sessions before joining the labor market.

Participants gave a little speech on what has been accomplished at their institutes so far and many recommendations were made for implementation shortly.

PSUT

An ordinary meeting was held on September 1st at PSUT in order to discuss the coming activities of TEJ project.

The most important topics that was discussed are delivering the projects’ equipment after being VAT exempted and the arrangements for the coming national conference in addition to nominating the best business plan from all partners’ universities.

The meeting was moderated by Prof. Walid Salameh and attended by partners’ universities representatives and concerned employees from PSUT.

Dead Sea

A workshop for TEJ project was conducted by Chamber of Commerce in Dead Sea, on June 6, 2015. The workshop started by a welcome message from rom the Engineer Hisham Qattan from Jordan Chamber of Commerce followed by a speech from Prof. Walid Salameh that states the following project potential outcomes:

• TTO network establishment.

• TTO website at each partner institution.

Several issues were discussed regarding the relation between industry and universities that is fostered when university researchers and companies have the possibility to know R&D technological challenges and skills presented by Dr. Mohammad Jaffari from IPCO

Then a presentation from Mrs. Hanna Iraide (Director of JEDCO) about the services offered by the Ministry of Trade and Industry which is an integrated model of analysis of companies’ technological needs as well as a follow up and support in joint proposal preparation.

After that Mr. AbdulMajeed Shamlawi from Owasis 500 offered a presentation about the analyses of the socio-economic environment and the purpose of collection information from business associations, business webs, industry publications, sector webs, sectorial fairs (list of exhibitors), market research subscriptions where the answers can be provided to match research competencies and companies demand.

Mr. Mohammad Refai from Jordan Chamber of Commerce highlight the local funding opportunities for start uppers. Mentioning what is missing from the proposal of the applicant (i.e. plan your actions, where are we now? where do we want to be? And how do we get there).

Dr. Tayseer Ofishat spoke about what do you want to achieve with whom by when, within which budget; and how will you do that (strategic & creative direction) in order to get is success.

Finally A presentation by Engineer Mohammad Abu Afifeh about the mission to be accurate, focus and should include promote research, education and transfer of knowledge to the benefit of society which mean promote and sustain competitiveness of research at the national and international level, by increasing its value and impact, as well as collaborative research and innovation projects.

Irbid National University

A workshop for TEJ project was conducted in Irbid National University, on May 3, 2015. The workshop started by a welcome message from the President of INU Prof. Mohamad Subarini then followed by a speech from Prof. Walid Salmeh that states the following project potential outcomes:

• TTO network establishment.

• TTO website at each partner institution.

Participants gave a little speech on what has been accomplished at their institutes so far in terms of the their strategic plans, REO, TTO, websites, activities, workshops that brings local industry to the University as part of TEJ project missions in addition to the best business plan contest, the approved forms for this contest and the goals and objectives of this activity.

Finally all participants were awarded INU shell for their efforts

Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan

A workshop for TEJ project was conducted in Al-Zaytoonah University of Jordan, on Mar 31, 2015. The workshop started by a welcome message from the Al-Zaytoonah President Prof. Rushdi Hasan then a project brief delivered by Prof. Ali Aldahoud (correspondence of ZUJ), followed by a speech from Prof. Walid Salmeh that states the following project potential outcomes:

• TTO network establishment.

• TTO website at each partner institution.

The meeting addressed several issues regarding the necessary data within institutions, and the idea of lunching an award of the best business plan among all Jordanian students.

In addition to discussing the establishment of the Universities-enterprises cooperation network and implementation of its activities to serve as a sustainable supra-national platform for exchange of experiences and good practices with a view to fostering a regular strategic dialog among higher education and business sector.

TEJ partners have participated in 3 days training workshop during a study visit to the University of Porto in which many topics were discussed. The aim of this workshop comes to introduce the entrepreneurial aspects and creative knowledge of Porto University and much more important the policies and incentives for entrepreneurship and innovation. Such an advanced level yielded by the optimal nexus between academic world and industry is the envisioned model that Jordanian universities try to customize and mimic on the long run.

The first day started with a welcome speech delivered by the rector of University of Porto Prof. Sebastião Feyo de Azevedo, then an introduction to TEJ project was presented by Prof. Walid Salameh.

Day 1 of the workshop included the following topics:

U.Porto Innovation overview, by Maria Oliveira, U.Porto Innovation Coordinator

The importance of promoting student base entrepreneurship, by Bernardo Pequito, Startup Buzz co-founder

IJUP Enterprises, by Elisa Keating, IJUP Empresas project coordinator

Q&A / Discussion / Sharing of experiences

Case Study: Start-up pirates, by Daniela Monteiro, Start-up pirates co-founder

Case-study: iUP25k – business idea competition of the University of Porto, by Filipe Castro, U.Porto Innovation

Q&A / Discussion / Sharing of experience

Day 2 of the workshop included the following topics:

The entrepreneurship ecosystem of the University of Porto, by Carlos Brito, Pro-Rector for Entrepreneurship and Innovation at U.Porto.

Portugal Ventures: venture capital for portuguese start-ups, by Epifânio da Franca, Board Director at Portugal Ventures

The Business Ignition Programme: a technology validator, by Maria Oliveira, U.Porto Innovation

Q&A / Discussion / Sharing of experience

+E+I programme: promoting entrepreneurship and innovation, by João Fernandes, Strategic programme for Entrepreneurship and Innovation Coordinator.

RedEmprendia – Ibero-American universities network for responsible innovation and entrepreneurship, by María Bobillo Varela, RedEmprendia.

Act by COTEC, by Pedro Vilarinho, COTEC Portugal.

Q&A / Discussion / Sharing of experience.

UTEN – US Global Start up Programme, by José Mendonça, UTEN – University Technology Enterprise Network (TBC).

CMU Portugal Entrepreneurial Research Initiatives, by Sara Brandão, Executive Director of Carnegie Mellon Portugal Program.

EU Funding to Support Entrepreneurs and SMEs, by Sónia Pereira, U.Porto international projects unit.

Q&A / Discussion / Sharing of experience.

And day 3 of the workshop included the following topics:

UPTEC – Science and Technology Park of the University of Porto, Welcome – José Novais Barbosa, President of Direction UPTEC, Clara Gonçalves, Executive Director UPTEC.

Visit and presentation of selected spin-off companies + Fraunhofer Portugal TBD, UPTEC.

Visit to INESC TEC (ICT), José Mendonça, INESC TEC (ICT).

Visit at ANJE – National Association for Young Entrepreneurs, José Fontes, ANJE.

University of Petra

The quality assurance board meeting for TEJ project was conducted in University of Petra, Jordan in Feb 2015. The Vice President of Perta University Prof. Mohammad al Anani opened the meeting and welcomed the presents. He stressed that the University of Petra is always keen to build up partnerships in the interest of international research activities such as TEJ project.

The meeting addressed many topics as quality & control monitoring (WP5), Quality assurance plan, general monitoring & evaluation in addition to the definition of tools and instruments to assess and monitor the progress of the project.

Many activities were covered in the meeting such as the study visit in Bologna, need analysis (questionnaires), monitoring visits and Amman TTOs workshops.

The monitoring visit report included a positive feedback on the accomplished results of the project in addition to two recommendations that are enriching the website with the project material and, engage students’ participation in the project.

University of Alicante, Spain

A study visit to the University of Alicante- Spain was organized for TEJ partners on March 2-4, 2015. The visit was arranged in order to get introduced on the European universities experience in technology transfer modality and linking the same with the labor market in addition to creating a general framework of the university-industry cooperation. Prof Walid Salameh, the Vice-President of Princes Sumaya University of Technology and the project coordinator, and the representative of Alicante University started the event by a welcoming speech. The first presentation was delivered by Roberto Escarré about the basics, models and schemes of University-Enterprise partnerships. The second talk was about the analysis of local environment of University Enterprise partnerships stockholders which was presented by Iván Rodríguez followed by a debate session on how to develop university-enterprise linkage, what are the gaps and challenges that faces such development, presented by Dr. Radhi Hamadeen. After the scientific visit to the labs of Alicante University two lectures were attended regarding funding and incentives schemes supporting University-Enterprise partnership presented by Lorenzo Moreno and university-enterprise supporting structures presented by Olga Francés.

PSUT, Jordan

A workshop on Technology Transfer Management in Higher Education Institutions was conducted in PSUT, Jordan in November 2014. The workshop aimed at building relationships between universities and social and economic environment for accomplishing sustainable development.

The workshop was part of TEJ project, which includes nine local universities as well as the Ministry of Higher Education, the Ministry of trade and industry, IPark and Jordan Chamber of Commerce. In addition to 4 European Universities. TEJ is one of the European Union projects aiming at technology transfer in between higher education institutions and industrial institutions.

The President of Princess Sumaya University of Technology Prof. Mashhoor Al Refai said that the joint cooperation between the Arab and European universities contributes to the educational process and serves the scientific research. In addition to that it opens new horizons to exchanging experiences between these institutions.

Project coordinator Prof. Walid Salameh shared the objectives of the project with participants of which are motivating and developing the concept of cooperation between universities and enterprises by promoting good practices for the implementation of technology transfer offices and communication in between the 9 Jordanian universities and evolving capacity building in the field of human resources. TEJ is also aiming at the promotion of information and communication strategies and providing strategic inputs needed to create long-term partnerships and collaborative research with Enterprises, as well as raising the employability rates in HEIs.

Università di Bologna, Italy

TEJ Partners has participated in a 3 – day training workshop during a Study visit to Bologna – Italy. The Workshop was hosted by Università di Bologna – Unibo from 26th-28th May 2014. The aim of this work- Shop was to acquire the “know how” of creating synergy between industry and academia through boosting technology transfer offices across universities and policies therein that enable such hubs to be started, administrated, monitored and evaluated, and also to exchange the ideas, good practices and cooperation opportunities with Jordanian universities. The workshop also aimed at giving a panoramic overview of the university of Bologna; its structure, policies, internationalization strategies adopted, mission, vision, context of work within a global environment, goals, research activities, research evaluation, IT tools, incubators, and other information related to number of (campuses , students, faculty staff, patents, research projects, research programs, etc.)

PSUT, Jordan

The kick-off meeting of Towards a university Enterprise alliance in Jordan (TEJ) has taken place in Princess Sumaya University for Technology on the 24th and 25th of March 2014. The meeting started with a welcoming speech given by the project coordinator Prof. Walid Salameh and the president of PSUT Prof. Issa Batarseh. The welcoming speech was followed by a brief introduction between partners in the project. Afterwards, Prof. Salameh talked about TEJ; the main purpose of it, its goals and the benefits that TEJ will accomplish for Universities and Enterprises in Jordan. Prof. Salameh also discussed TEJ work packages, and explained to partners’ their roles and duties during the life span of the project. Partners also discussed the upcoming tasks and events during the next 6 months.