Al-Balqa Applied University (BAU) has entered into a cooperation agreement with Germany’s Bremen Overseas Research and Development Association (BORDA) to enhance Jordan’s environmental infrastructure, with a focus on sustainable sanitation solutions.
The agreement was signed by BAU President, Ahmad Fakhri Al-Ajlouni, and BORDA’s Regional Director for West and Central Asia, Laura Singh.
According to Al-Ajlouni, the partnership is aligned with efforts to improve Jordan’s water and sanitation sectors. It seeks to develop innovative solutions to address water scarcity and pollution while providing training and capacity-building to advance research that supports sustainable development goals.
The collaboration will facilitate the transfer of knowledge and skills to local professionals, particularly in the planning, design, and management of sustainable sanitation systems.
The agreement will be implemented through the International Center for Water, Environment, and Energy Research at the university, which will
work closely with BORDA. This collaboration includes hands-on training and site visits, specifically to the decentralized wastewater treatment facility in Fuheis, which the center manages.
The training will enhance the capabilities of local experts and operators in decentralized sanitation systems, equipping them with the skills necessary for effective system operation and maintenance.
Hiba Al-Kharabsheh, Director of the university’s international center, emphasized that the project focuses on strengthening decentralized sanitation solutions in Jordan. She noted that the cooperation is based on shared values of transparency, synergy, and mutual benefits.
Funding for the initiative is provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development as part of BORDA’s regional project to strengthen local sanitation infrastructure in West and Central Asia.
For her part, Singh said that the project includes the development of two experimental decentralized wastewater treatment facilities and t
he upgrading of the Fuheis model plant, alongside three additional sanitation sites.
She added that training programs will be offered to local specialists, with an emphasis on operators, to ensure they gain the technical knowledge required for the upkeep of decentralized sanitation systems. Additionally, the project will implement community outreach initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness and understanding of decentralized sanitation solutions.
Source: Jordan News Agency
