Marine Science Station in Aqaba Amman - Arab Today The University of Jordan in Aqaba lunched a new program aims at qualifying the Faculty of Marine Sciences graduates to enter the labor market. The program, which was inaugurated by the Chief Commissioner of Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, Dr Kamel Mahadin, wishes to increase awareness among graduates, technically wise, and equip them with practical skills in the areas of maintaining the marine and coastal environments, and establish the principle of teamwork and volunteerism among them. Moreover, the program includes training courses in environmental projects management, and special courses for water sports such as scuba diving and swimming of all types, management and language courses as well as field trips to sites related to the program. The program works on the development of student’s expertise and abilities in the field of competence, which will provide greater opportunity to find a suitable job in the future. In addition, it supplements the management of the marine park with qualified cadres to help achieve its objectives in the field of marine environmental conservation, especially since the marine park lacks qualified personnel. The program, which is attended by six graduates from the Faculty of Marine Sciences in Aqaba, is similar to ones applied by professional associations for engineering graduates and others. Furthermore, the program was held in the Aqaba Marine Park in the presence of the Assistant Chief of the University of Jordan in Aqaba, Dr. Hamid Bdour and Dean of the Faculty of Marine Sciences, Dr. Tariq al-Najjar. It’s worth mentioning that the program comes within the coastal and marine biodiversity conservation project which is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to grant a greater role for young people by promoting their scientific and practical capacities to reduce unemployment and the lack of necessary work skills. Source: University of Jordan