Würzburg 2024 | This year's network meeting for graduates of the German-Jordanian University (GJU) in Würzburg, organized by the GJU Project Office Magdeburg, once again highlighted the strong cohesion and growing network in Germany. The event was hosted by the Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences (THWS), a partner university of the GJU.
From 27th to 29th of September, around 70 GJU alumni from all over Germany met for workshops, lectures and social activities to make contacts, exchange knowledge and further develop concepts. In addition to valuable tips on careers, funding and networking, this year's Alumni Ambassador Meeting focused on the GJU Alumni Association and its joint further development. The desire for more selforganisation became tangible as early as 2023 in Hamburg with the development of concrete association plans.
The conference was opened by the moderators and GJU alumni Razan Al Masannat and Omar Anabtawi, Prof. Dr. Achim Förster (THWS Vice President) and Prof. Dr. Manuela Schwartz (Rector of UAS Magdeburg-Stendal and head of the GJU Project Office). Prof. Dr. Schwartz emphasized the positive developments and the success of the Alumni Ambassadors Program (AAP), within the framework of which the annual network meeting takes place, not least thanks to the commitment of the graduates themselves. „At the first meeting in 2018, I believe we were between 10 and 15 people.“, remarked Dr. Abdullah Nsair, GJU alumnus and co-founder of GJU Alumni e. V., looking back. In the meantime, the number of graduates interested and actively involved in the AAP in Germany has risen to around 300.
“In the confrontation between the stream and the rock, the stream always wins ... not through strength but through persistence. ”
Ala'a Alshubbak wrote this sentence on a slide of her presentation about her PhD on a DAAD scholarship. She visualises her psychological journey with a crawling stick figure, anxiously looking down a deep curve. A black rain cloud over the valley is labeled with doubt, fear and failure. At the apex: Decide, you can do it! The figure climbs up a steep wall ... Ala'a Alshubbak wanted to do a doctorate, absolutely. In her presentation, she shared her rocky path from her application for a scholarship in 2015 to her acceptance by the DAAD in 2019 to the present day. The many setbacks on this journey are telling. She was rejected again and again and doubted herself, rethought everything, took courses and then told the little man, keep climbing, you can do it.
Difficulties and rejections when applying for scholarships are the norm, but in practice it is often difficult to deal with them resiliently. Although it can be frustrating, Ala'a Alshubbak perseveres on her path and uses her story and advice to motivate people to have the courage to get started and, above all, not to give up.
During the breaks, the alumni were able to talk to Dr. Leonie Schoelen from the DAAD about academic paths between coffee and baklava. She provided information about German study programs and transnational educational project funding in the Middle East.
GJU alumna Lara Al-Bairuti gave a spontaneous presentation about discrimination and counseling centers for those affected. After all, it is not only the professional path in another country that is challenging, but also the integrative path, where you often have to deal with prejudice and discrimination.
Yasmin Shabani, GJU alumna and recruiter, spoke about ways to find your dream career in Germany. In addition to valuable advice on orientation, recognising your own skills, social media presence, social areas and insurance, she also addressed those who have arrived in professional life and are still dissatisfied. "In my opinion it is a green flag when you wake up every day moderately happy knowing you are going to work. [...] and not just living on the weekends," explained Yasmin Shabani. She gave advice on retraining, support and further training opportunities for those who want to change their situation and encouraged people to change: "[...] because nothing is set in stone, nothing is permanent, the world is dynamic evolving. We can change, if something is not fitting us."
From the idea to the association
It was also time for change at last year's annual meeting. As the community grew, so did the desire for more structures. Thus, three results were developed with the continuation of the AAP: A division into five regions (North, East, Central, West and South Germany) responsible for local social activities, seminars and workshop series for more knowledge transfer and the establishment of an independent GJU alumni association in Germany, which the cofounders and GJU alumni Dr. Abdullah Nsair, Reqqa Salem and Tamara Aljamaeen finally presented at the 7th meeting in Würzburg after a year of navigating the bureaucratic jungle.
The association is committed to building a strong alumni network to exchange ideas, foster professional relationships and support GJU graduates and students in Germany from various fields, as well as to improve international understanding and promote cultural exchange in all walks of life.
Reqqa Salem explained: „We are trying to empower each other in terms of professional contacts and of seeking opportunities that individuals could not seek on their own.“
The association also has a social value. As the founders have already travelled similar paths, the organization also conveys a sense of community and harbours a wealth of experience in all areas of life.
The only thing missing is the notarial stamp for the official registration of the main branch and association cradle in Hamburg, which is responsible for the north of Germany. Frankfurt is to be added for the Central German region and Munich for the south.
Bridges are built in the community, in which each individual plays a supporting role
Joining online, Dr. Alaaldeen Al-Halhouli, President of the GJU, reminded the graduates in his closing remarks at the Alumni Ambassador Meeting 2024 of their unique position they hold as ambassadors of the GJU: to continue building bridges between Jordan and Germany, to broaden the horizon for future generations and to continue the cycle of giving. "Let's ensure that the next chapter of your journey is filled with your achievements, greater cooperation and even stronger pride the bridge between Germany and Jordan."
Alumni Ambassadors Programm
The annual Alumni Ambassador Meeting is supported by the German Academnic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. It is part of the Alumni Ambassadors Program (AAP) and is organised by the GJU Project Office at Magdeburg-Stendal University of Applied Sciences.
The AAP promotes cooperation between the GJU and UAS Magdeburg-Stendal as well as GJU graduates who are in Germany for professional or academic purposes.
