Ulster University has formalised a significant international collaboration with the American University of Madaba (AUM), Jordan, through the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) .
This agreement signals the beginning of a dynamic partnership between both institutions, supporting cutting-edge research, collaborative education, and global health impact. The MoU has been developed through the efforts of the Centre for International Health Innovation and Partnerships (CIHIP), a cross-disciplinary centre within Ulster University’s School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, co-led by Dr Ahmed Abuelhana and Dr Aaron Courtenay.
The partnership will initially focus on short course teaching opportunities, staff and student mobility, and collaborative research with three joint PhD studentships in Pharmacy. The partnership aims to include future opportunities extending into laboratory medicine, nutritional psychology, and broader interdisciplinary innovation.
The signing ceremony was hosted at Ulster University, Coleraine, with Professor Carol Curran, Executive Dean and PVC, signing on behalf of Ulster University. Professor Akroush, President of AUM, joined remotely from Jordan, with Professor Wesam Ammari, Dean of AUM’s Faculty of Health Sciences, attending the event in person.
Professor Carol Curran, Pro Vice Chancellor & Executive Dean of Faculty of Life & Health Sciences, said:
“This agreement builds on a strong foundation of international engagement within our School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences and across the Faculty. Through the Centre for International Health Innovation and Partnerships, we are creating impactful collaborations that enhance research, strengthen education, and support global health resilience.”
The new partnership supports CIHIP’s mission to develop sustainable health solutions through interdisciplinary research, policy development, and global knowledge exchange. It reflects Ulster’s wider commitment to global engagement, and to delivering research that makes a tangible difference to health outcomes worldwide.
Professor Wesam Ammari, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences at AUM, commented:
“This collaboration with Ulster University reflects our shared commitment to advancing global health education and applied research. It opens the door for innovation, joint scholarship, and knowledge exchange between our institutions – building stronger academic and healthcare systems across borders.”
A delegation from AUM attended, including AUM's President's Assistant for Accreditation and Quality Assurance Engineer Majdi Dayyat, the Dean of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies Prof Adi Arida, and the Dean of Student Affairs Dr Bushra Mahadin.
From Ulster University, Head of School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences Professor Paul McCarron, Institute for Biomedical Sciences Research Director Prof Julie-Anne Little, and Associate Dean (Research & Innovation) Professor Victor Gault, were in attendance, marking this as a significant step forward in Ulster’s international strategy.
The MoU also supports Ulster University’s vision to strengthen academic partnerships and expand its global footprint through quality research and international academic exchange.
As the first centre of its kind on the Island of Ireland, CIHIP exists to advance global health collaboration by building interdisciplinary partnerships that foster research focused on medication safety, antimicrobial stewardship, and other critical health challenges.
