Call for Expressions of Interest
Trainers and Workshop Facilitators for the SyrIA Project
The German Jordanian University (GJU) is currently establishing a pool of qualified trainers, facilitators and higher education experts for the project:
“SyrIA – Syrian Innovation in Academia”
The project, funded by DAAD, supports the sustainable renewal and modernization of the Syrian higher education system through:
- Empirical fact finding,
- Practice-oriented workshops and training sessions,
- Strategic dialogue formats,
- Coaching and mentoring,
- Digital support structures.
Within the framework of the project, a series of workshops and training sessions for academic and administrative staff of Syrian universities will be implemented during 2026–2027.
Background
The workshop and training activities shall be designed as evidence-based capacity-building measures and shall directly build upon the results of the project’s fact-finding phase. Since the empirical needs assessment is currently ongoing, the final thematic priorities and workshop syllabi have not yet been conclusively defined.
We are therefore seeking expressions of interest from experts and practitioners with relevant experience in higher education development, university reform, academic capacity building and related fields.
This call aims to identify potential trainers and facilitators who may contribute to future workshops and training activities, depending on the identified institutional needs and thematic priorities.
Expected Workshop and Training Areas
The final topics will be determined based on the fact-finding results. However, expected thematic areas may include, among others:
- Curriculum development
- Teaching methodology and higher education didactics
- Subject-specific didactics
- Competency-based teaching and assessment
- Research-oriented and project-based learning
- Quality assurance and accreditation
- Digitalization in higher education
- Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Campus Management Systems
- Artificial Intelligence in higher education
- Micro-credentials and Future Skills
- Internationalization and international cooperation
- Employability and industry cooperation
- Dual study models
- Scientific research and academic publishing
- Proposal writing and international funding opportunities
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Student administration and university management
- Digital documentation and archiving systems
- Technical and digital competencies
- Teaching and learning in post-conflict and crisis contexts
- Inclusive and student-centered higher education approaches
- Institutional governance and strategic development
Additional thematic proposals relevant to higher education reform and institutional development are also welcome.
Workshop Format
The workshops and training sessions:
- Are expected to take place primarily in person at the German Jordanian University (GJU) in Amman, Jordan;
- Will generally follow a blended-learning approach with online preparation and follow-up phases;
- Will usually last five working days;
- Are planned for groups of approximately 20 participants;
- Will be conducted primarily in Arabic, where appropriate with interpretation support.
The formats shall be designed to be highly interactive and practice-oriented, aiming not only at knowledge transfer but at the collaborative development of applicable institutional outcomes. The workshops are intended to follow a multiplier approach, enabling participants to transfer the acquired knowledge and competencies to colleagues within their home institutions. Participants are therefore expected to act as trainers and change agents in their universities, contributing to the sustainable dissemination and institutional embedding of the developed practices and approaches.
Trainer Profile
We welcome expressions of interest from:
- University professors and lecturers,
- Higher education experts,
- Practitioners in university management and administration,
- Specialists in digital education and quality assurance,
- Researchers,
- Consultants,
- Experienced trainers with relevant practical expertise.
Particular interest is given to candidates with:
- Experience in higher education reform and capacity building,
- Experience in intercultural or international academic cooperation,
- Familiarity with Arab higher education contexts,
- Arabic language proficiency,
- Interactive, participant-centered teaching approaches.
Experts from the Syrian academic diaspora are especially encouraged to apply.
Scope of Involvement
Selected experts may be invited to contribute to:
- Workshop facilitation,
- Training delivery,
- Syllabus development,
- Mentoring and coaching activities after the workshop,
- Digital learning support.
Participation may take place in cooperation with experts from Jordan, Germany and other partner contexts.
Submission of Expressions of Interest
Interested experts are invited to submit:
- Fill out the application form
- Submit a CV
Expressions of interest will be included in a trainer pool for potential engagement throughout the project.
Please note that this call does not constitute a binding commissioning process at this stage. Specific workshop topics and trainer assignments will be determined after the completion of the fact-finding phase and in accordance with project needs.
We look forward to connecting with committed experts interested in contributing to the strengthening and modernization of Syrian higher education.
Application link: