University in Jordan uses USQ as benchmark for e-learning

Hashemite University in Jordan is the latest Middle Eastern institution to use USQ's online learning (e-learning) model following a successful visit to the campus by USQ Engineering Professor David Ross.

Professor Ross travelled to Jordan to run an e-learning workshop at the University, which is located about 60 kilometres outside of nation's capital Amman.

'Over five days I ran the workshop for the administrators of Hashemite University, which included their deans, directors and their e-learning faculty team,' Professor Ross said.

'We went through the strategies for courseware development and how they could start to roll out their e-learning project.'

Professor Ross said Hashemite University is the first university in Jordan to look at e-learning.

'They will be the first to offer a fully accredited course by distance and online and they have selected USQ as a benchmark to follow as part of their strategic plan,' he said.

'For USQ it shows that we are a global leader in online blended learning and it also gives us the chance to further collaborate with Hashemite University.'

While Hashemite is already one of Jordan's premier universities, Professor Ross added that the online courses have the potential to increase the student population and further enhance their reputation.

'The University is about the same age as USQ, has approximately 20,000 students, all on campus, and is a well respected institution in Jordan.

'With the students being 60 kilometres outside of Amman however, 90 per cent of them are bussed to the campus.

'The online courses will allow students to complete their education off campus and also give Hashemite the title of the first university in Jordan to offer e-learning.'

The distance education program is expected to be offered across all faculties at the University from 2008.

Other Middle Eastern Universities using USQ's e-learning model are King Fahad University and Effat College, both in Saudi Arabia and Sultan Qaboos University in Oman.

Media Contact: Josh Ada, USQ Media, +61 7 4631 1628