Linking learning to real life

The OKP – TMT project, funded by the Dutch government and led by iCRA, was all about that. 

This project aims to improve education and employment prospects for Jordanian and Syrian youth in the agri-food sectors through a connected and inclusive entrepreneurship programme at the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST). 

After a labour market assessment, Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) found out that upon graduating, their students have excellent academic skills. But the practical part for agricultural skills is not always strong. And this is exactly what students need after graduating if they are looking for a job – other than in academia or policy. The OKP TMT project tackled this problem: How do we bring real-life skills to the university?

During the project JUST professors developed an elective course on entrepreneurship for their students and in the future also for Syrian refugees. On top of that, they mapped out their network with the labour market, enlarged it, created more internship places and organised a job fair for their students. This job fair resulted in jobs for students who are at the verge of graduating. A great way to introduce students to future employers and the other way around. It was a vibrant success that they decided to make it a returning event.

During this project led by iCRA, we delivered training on curriculum development and pedagogical skills, to make courses more practice-based and prepare students for future jobs on the one hand. On the other hand, we trained JUST staff on relationship building skills for enlarging networks with the labor market.

This September, 5 staff members from JUST and another 5 of our colleagues from partner organisation Advance Consulting and Luminus from Jordan, visited the Netherlands to see how real-life learning is organised here and to share their experiences of this project.

Check out this video for an impression.