The Post-CCSAFS: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats - The Case of Jordanian Partner Countries Prof. Ahmed Al-Salaymeh, Eng. Leena Marashdeh, University of Jordan Europe Regional Meeting 2019 13-14 September, 2019, Heraklion, Greece

1. The Post-CCSAFS:
Strengths, Weaknesses,
Opportunities and Threats
Presented by
Prof. Ahmed Al-Salaymeh,
Eng. Leena Marashdeh
The university of Jordan
Crete-Greece
Date: 14/09/2019

2. Overview
Project Objectives
Qualitative Indicators
Quantitative Indicators
Key Achievements
SWOT Analysis

3. Main Objective
Main objective
Promote sustainable agricultural production, food security and climate change adaptation and help
vulnerable rural communities to compact hunger and adjust to local, regional and global changes in
climate, which is contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2).
How?
Through developing of an inter/multidisciplinary MSc programme in Climate Change, Agricultural
Development and Food Security in Jordan and Egypt, that providing the students with the needed skills
and tools for developing agricultural practices, policies and measures to address the challenge that
climate change poses for agriculture and food security.

4. Specific Objectives
1. Carry out capacity building for the involved staff from the partner institutions:
a) to design post-graduate curricula in line with the Bologna process;
b) to design and develop inter/multidisciplinary course curricula at the post-graduate level; and
c) to apply innovative and flexible teaching and learning methods.
2. Develop a platform for blended learning supplemented by laboratories to support the MSc. programme and function as life-long
learning resources and develop Centers of Excellence in CCSAFS in each partner country university.
3. Develop, accredit and implement an inter/multidisciplinary MSc. programme in Climate Change, Sustainable Agriculture and
Food Security, comparable and compatible with EU equivalent programmes in cooperation with EU and PC Universities, NGOs, local
agricultural/food industry, government agencies and higher education accreditation commissions. It will be worth of 120 ECTS (90
ECTS course work & 30 ECTS thesis) where Suez Canal University, Egypt and Jerash University, Jordan will serve as the main hubs.

5. Qualitative indicators
Prepared Guidelines for strengthening stakeholders inputs
Training needs are identified and justified
Trainees are selected and trained
Prepared CCSAFS programme structure and courses
Newly prepared teaching material for CCSAFS courses

6. Qualitative indicators
CCSAFS programme is accredited
CCSAFS programme is piloted
Establishment of Center of excellence
Establishment of blended learning labs
Establishment and implementation of online learning management system (LMS)
Quality of the feedback received through peer-reviewing and other assessment methods
Students are enrolled in CCSAFS programme

7. Quantitative indicators
Number of stakeholders involved (Projected 100 key experts; 2000 students; 500 alumni)
Number of training sessions (3 national & 2 regional) , and Number of teaching staff trained (projected 50)
Number of teaching staff using the online community of practice for training purposes (projected 50-60)
Level of satisfaction on the conducted trainings
Number of course modules for the CCSAFS curriculum developed (projected to 11-16).
Number of MOOCs courses developed (projected to 2-3)
Number of courses piloted (projected to 2-3)
Number of hardware and type of software supporting blended learning activities
Number of dissemination events
Number of students expressing interest to study CCSAFS

8. Key Achievements in CCSAFS project
3 National Training Workshops in Jordan
3 Regional Training Workshops (Jordan, Cyprus & Egypt)
5 Managerial Meetings
Tools developed (CCSAFS Toolkit, Online Community of Practice & Blended Learning Environment (LMS)
4 Centers of Excellences on CCSAFS established in each partner university in Jordan
4 ICT Labs established in each partner university in Jordan
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9. Blended Learning Labs

10. Key Achievements in CCSAFS project
The MSc in CCSAFS course syllabi and course modules developed and being reviewed internally and externally
through quality assurance instruments
 Accreditation of the MSc in CCSAFS in Jerash University
 The MSc in CCSAFS piloted
 The MSc in CCSAFS is currently being implemented
The CCSAFS widely disseminated through various means, including colloquia, presentations, conferences, networks,
social media.
 Deliverables and works in progress uploaded in the CCSAFS website
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11. Key Achievements in CCSAFS project
CCSAFS Courses were prepared based on the inputs received through the internal stakeholders (academic
teaching staff and students) and external stakeholders (CCSAFS professionals, alumni).
The MSc. in CCSAFS program consists of six compulsory courses of 10 ECTS each and nine optional or electives
of 10 ECTS each.
The course work amounts for 90 ECTS during the three semesters and 30 ECTS for the thesis. In total, 120
ECTS for the full programme.
All the courses are inter/multidiscipinary combining aspects from the field of Climate Change, Sustainable
Agriculture and Food Security.

12. Program status
CCSAFS programme was accredited at the end of September 2018.
The First semester of CCSAFS started on October 1, 2018 (Fall Semester 2018/2019).
18 students were registered in the programme
The Second semester was the Spring Semester (2018/2019)
 10 New students were registered in the programme
The Third semester was the Summer Semester (2018/2019)
1 New students were registered in the programme
Total number of students in the first year was 29 students
24 Males, and 5 Females

13. Program status
 8 Courses have been piloted within the first year of the programme.
E-learning platform has been used during piloting.
Assessment for piloting phase has been conducted

14. Strengths Weaknesses
SWOT Analysis
Need for the Programme in Future
• Jordan need to continue the capacity building at different levels in the
areas of CCSAFS program.
• CCSAFS competences in Food Security and Climate change meet the
national need to implement of 2030 agenda and the SDGs in Jordan.
Unique knowledge developed within CCSAFS
• Developed Teaching curricula in the areas of climate change
adaptation and Food Security that are seen as national priorities
(compatible with the recommendations of the Ministry of environment
and UNDP Rio implemented programs).
• CCSAFS program is unique in Jordan and officially accredited by MOHE
• CCSAFS was developed based on the European experience and
implement new teaching methodologies that promote research and
collaboration with community.
• Multidisciplinary program that opens channel for developing
nonconventional research and work areas.
• Created e-learning platform for CCSAFS courses function as life-long
learning resources
Teaching Demands
• Low number of available faculty members and high teaching load on
faculty members.
• Teaching staff from partner universities (UJ, JUST, and Mutah) could teach
selected courses in JU university.
Staff Knowledge, skills and competences
• Knowledge in UN development programs in the areas of CCSAFS is lacked
among some of the staff members involved in the program.
• Background in downscaling climate change impacts from global to regional
and local levels is needed.
• Feedback from stakeholders and graduates shall be taken into
consideration continuously.
• Capacity in CC adaptation and disaster risk reduction programs needed for
mitigation and adaptation to CC.
• CC are subject to change according to donor’s implementation agenda and
continuously changing mechanisms.
WS

15. Strengths Weaknesses
SWOT Analysis
Resources
• Existing resources and infrastructure for CCSAFS education and
research were upgraded.
• Dedicated budgets from the involved universities.
• Trained Staff
Greatest achievement
• Good number of MSc students in the first year of the program
indicating the self -supporting mechanism.
• Commitments of Jerash University and the support of its
administration to continue in implementing and updating the program
in the future.
• Cooperation channels between Jordan Universities developed through
this project.
Resources
• Maintenance and continuous upgrading for resources are needed.
Gender equality
• Females number enrolled in the programme needs to be increased,
through good dissemination.
WS

16. Opportunities Threats
SWOT Analysis
Opportunities for Sustaining CCSAFS
• New research area will be opened for the staff. This will
improve the existing resources of Jerash University.
• High level dissemination will attract more students will make
the programme in self -supporting process.
• Continuous update of the teaching curricula of the program.
• A plan from Jerash University can be prepared to have
agreements with inline ministries, institutions and NGOs to
address national needs in the areas of CCSAFS as research
topics for the MSc programs.
• Think about online degree through CCSAFS e-learning
platform.
Obstacles to maintain the MSc in CCSAFS
• Inadequate financial resources for teaching and research.
• Lack of interest from students to join the program due to lacking financial
support.
• Changes of governmental policies and plans in the areas of CCSAFS.
• Lack of experience in the areas of CCSAFS among staff members involved
in teaching the courses.
What could prevent maintaining the programme
• Lack of students’ interest and the required financial resources.
Causes of obstacles
• Changes at administrative and institutional levels.
• Similar MSc programs that will compete with Jerash ad Suez Universities.
TO

17. Thank you