TAM Report / Jordan - Greening

GENERAL INFORMATION

TAM title: Greening at Jordanian HEIs: EU Experience

Type of Event: Webinar 

Modality: Online

Country: Jordan

Dates: 26–27 February 2025

Participants: A total of 90 participants took part in thewebinar, including university administrators, faculty members from different disciplines, students, Erasmus+ coordinators, and policy makers from governmental and non-governmental organizations involved in higher education and sustainability.

THEMES COVERED

• Greening and sustainability in higher education institutions
• EU experiences, case studies, and challenges related to sustainability
• Integration of sustainability into curricula and institutional policies
• Role of Erasmus+ and EU-funded projects in promoting greening
• Student engagement and green campus initiatives
• Development of institutional action plans for sustainability

KEY OUTCOMES

During the workshop, participants:

• Developed increased awareness of sustainability and greening practices in higher education institutions.
• Examined EU case studies and approaches to integrating sustainability into curricula, campus operations, and institutional strategies.
• Collaboratively developed action plans and locally adapted strategies for implementing sustainability initiatives in Jordanian HEIs.

• Strengthened networking and collaboration among institutions and stakeholders engaged in greening higher education.

   

OVERVIEW

The two-day online TAM focused on sharing European experiences and best practices related to greening higher education institutions and adapting them to the Jordanian context. Activities included expert presentations on sustainability initiatives in EU universities, discussions on challenges faced by higher education institutions, and exchanges on the role of Erasmus+ in supporting greening efforts. Participants were also introduced to examples of student-led initiatives and EU interventions relevant to sustainability in higher education.

Interactive workshops and group discussions formed a central part of the mission. Participants worked in breakout groups to identify existing practices and challenges within their institutions, translate EU sustainability strategies to the Jordanian context, and develop concrete action plans for implementation. Feedback sessions allowed groups to present their strategies and receive input from peers and the expert, supporting refinement and practical orientation.

THE FOLLOW UP ACTIVITY

Title of the activity: The University of Jordan’s 5th Erasmus+ International Staff Week

“Bridging Cultures, Strengthening Partnerships, Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education”

Dates: 4 May 2025 and 27 October 2025

Audience: Approximately 335 participants from around 110 organizations, including higher education institutions from Jordan and Europe, university leadership (presidents, vice presidents, deans, directors), higher education policy makers, quality assurance and accreditation professionals, civil society organizations, and representatives of Erasmus+ program countries.

Description: The follow-up activities focused on disseminating and reflecting on the outcomes of the TAM on Greening in Higher Education. Key findings, practices, and recommendations from the TAM were presented during the University of Jordan’s 5th Erasmus+ International Staff Week and later through a national dissemination and reflection session delivered at the Jordan University of Science and Technology. The activities were presentation-based and followed by open discussions, aiming to strengthen international partnerships, promote institutional commitment, and support national dialogue on integrating sustainability into higher education policies, curricula, and campus operations.

ENHANCING IMPACT: PROPOSED NEXT STEPS

• Integrate sustainability principles across academic curricula and institutional policies in higher education institutions.
• Establish dedicated sustainability or green committees within universities to coordinate and monitor greening initiatives.
• Develop clear institutional action plans with measurable sustainability goals and timelines.
• Strengthen institutional and national support mechanisms, including policy frameworks and accreditation-related incentives for greening.
• Allocate dedicated funding and resources to sustainability projects within HEIs.
• Enhance collaboration between universities, EU partners, and external stakeholders to support knowledge transfer and joint sustainability initiatives.
• Encourage student engagement and community involvement as key drivers of sustainable change in higher education.

RESOURCES AND BACKGROUND MATERIAL

• University of Edinburgh (n.d.) Zero by 2040 – Governance, publications & reports. Available at: https://sustainability.ed.ac.uk/governance-publications-reports/zero-by-2040
• UVA Green Office (n.d.) UVA Green Office. Available at: https://www.uvagreenoffice.nl/
• LUMES: Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies (n.d.) LUMES. Available at: https://www.lumes.lu.se/
• UNESCO (n.d.) Education for sustainable development. Available at: https://www.unesco.org/en/sustainable-development/education
• Medical University – Sofia (n.d.) MU-Sofia is participating for another year in the World Cleanup Day. Available at: https://mu-sofia.bg/en/mu-sofia-is-participating-for-another-year-in-the-world-cleanup-day/
• University of Copenhagen (n.d.) The University of Copenhagen’s guards are running green. Available at: https://sustainability2030.ku.dk/news/the-university-of-copenhagens-guards-are-running-green/
• University of Lisbon, Faculty of Sciences (n.d.) Projects & sustainability. Available at: https://ciencias.ulisboa.pt/en/projects-sustainability
• UNEP (2022) The little book of green nudges. Nairobi: United Nations Environment Programme.
  Available at: https://www.unep.org/resources/publication/little-book-green-nudges