HTU and the Independent Election Commission Sign MoU to Promote Civic Awareness and Student Engagement in Electoral Education

Al Hussein Technical University (HTU) and the Independent Election Commission (IEC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a framework for academic and practical cooperation, focusing on developing joint educational and training programs designed to enhance students’ awareness of the Commission’s roles, responsibilities, and operations.

Under the agreement, both parties will collaborate on organizing training courses and workshops for HTU students on topics related to the Commission’s legal mandate — including the management and supervision of electoral processes, as well as promoting a deeper understanding of Jordan’s electoral system and democratic participation.

The MoU also includes exploring the possibility of introducing an optional academic or practical course — either as part of the university’s community service hours or as a standalone subject — dedicated to familiarizing students with the functions, duties, and procedures of the IEC in managing elections and ensuring transparency throughout all stages of the process.

Additionally, the agreement provides for academic and research exchange in the fields of elections, political parties, and related areas, allowing for the sharing of specialized expertise and institutional experience between the two parties.

The MoU was signed by Prof. Ismael Al-Hinti, President of Al Hussein Technical University, and Dr. Raed Al-Adwan, on behalf of the Independent Election Commission, in the presence of representatives from both institutions’ administrative teams.

During the signing ceremony, Prof. Al-Hinti expressed his satisfaction with this collaboration, emphasizing its significance in raising political and civic awareness among Jordanian youth, particularly regarding the importance of active participation in public life. He added that fostering political understanding is an essential step toward realizing His Majesty King Abdullah II’s vision of integrating young Jordanians into national political processes, empowering them to take part in shaping the country’s future and advancing the public interest.

For his part, Dr. Al-Adwan reaffirmed the IEC’s commitment to engaging with all electoral stakeholders, including academic institutions, to broaden awareness and strengthen transparency. He highlighted the recent constitutional and legislative amendments related to the Political Parties Law, which promote the inclusion and empowerment of women and youth — requiring that at least 20% of party founders be women and 20% be youth aged between 18 and 35.

It is worth noting that Al Hussein Technical University, an initiative of the Crown Prince Foundation, is a national, non-profit private university offering a modern applied education model that enhances essential and technical skills in engineering and technology. The university seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application, align higher education outcomes with market needs, and foster creativity, innovation, and civic responsibility among its students.

Meanwhile, the Independent Election Commission, established under Law No. 11 of 2012, is an independent public body with full financial and administrative autonomy, mandated to oversee and manage parliamentary elections and any other elections assigned by the Council of Ministers. The Commission ensures that all electoral processes are fair, impartial, and transparent, in accordance with the principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law.