Innovation without borders: Inauguration of German-Jordanian Excellency Hubs on Green Hydrogen and Advanced Materials

As part of their long-standing strategic partnership, the German Jordanian University (GJU) and the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) have hosted two impactful industry-academic events to promote workforce-oriented education in Hydrogen Engineering and Advanced Materials Engineering. Both events are directly linked to the respective study programmes “Hydrogen Engineering” and “Advanced Materials Engineering”, which are THWS majors hosted by the GJU, allowing students to start their studies in Jordan and complete them with a German bachelor's Degree from THWS.

These industrial excellency hubs, held at THWS on April 10 and June 16, 2025, brought together key stakeholders from academia, industry, and government to align academic training with real-world demands in Germany, Jordan, and the general MENA region.

Hydrogen Engineering Industry Hub – April 10, 2025

Held on the 10th of April 2025, at the THWS campus in Schweinfurt, the event brought together over 40 participants from Germany and Jordan, including leaders from the hydrogen industry, technology providers, researchers, and representatives from the public sector. The event addressed the pressing need for cross-sector partnerships to accelerate the hydrogen transition and to explore practical solutions in Power-to-X (PtX) technologies jointly. The event was also livestreamed to students and researchers in Jordan, underlining the importance of inclusive participation and early exposure to industry-driven sustainability topics.

The programme featured targeted sessions led by industry pioneers and experts from organisations such as Hydrogen Centre Bavaria (H2.B), Jordan Chamber of Industry, and Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG, alongside applied research institutions including Fraunhofer-Institut für Arbeitswirtschaft und Organisation (IAO) and Clausthal University of Technology.

Discussions focused on:

• Current industry trends in hydrogen production, distribution, and usage
• Business models and financing frameworks for hydrogen infrastructure
• Integration of hydrogen solutions into existing industrial systems
• Technical and regulatory barriers to market deployment
• Workforce development and academic-industry training programmes

One of the highlights was a dedicated session with the International PtX Hub, exploring global dynamics and opportunities in the green hydrogen economy, particularly in the MENA region.

On April 11, the delegation visited Schaeffler Technologies in Schweinfurt, where participants had the opportunity to engage directly with ongoing hydrogen-related developments and learn how the industry is integrating hydrogen solutions into manufacturing and mobility systems.

Prof. Dr. Arnulf Hörtnagel, academic coordinator of the hydrogen studies programme at THWS:

“Following the successful completion of the first hydrogen hub, we look forward to exploring this topic in greater depth in the coming years and strengthening the networks between industry and research, and between Germany and Jordan. Let's not just talk about it, but work together to realise projects and ideas that do justice to the long-term role of hydrogen as a sustainable energy storage medium.”

PACE Hub: Advanced Materials Engineering – June 16, 2025

The PACE Hub (Polymers, Advanced Composites & Elastomers) took place on the 16^th of June at the THWS Würzburg campus. In preparation for the launch of the collaborative THWS-GJU Bachelor's programme in Advanced Materials Engineering in October 2025, the hub presented an excellent opportunity to announce the major to industry partners and discuss market demands and challenges in order to guarantee a successful study programme. This event brought together stakeholders in polymer engineering and the plastics industry with THWS professors in the field, while partners from industry in Jordan and from GJU joined the event online.

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Marcus Schuck, THWS, study programme coordinator of the Advanced Materials Engineering major:

“The successful establishment of the PACE hub between Jordanian and German industry and university members marks a significant milestone in fostering economic and educational growth and innovation, serving as a testament to the fruitful collaboration between Germany and Jordan. This meeting has built a strong foundation for ongoing partnerships, collaborations, research projects, and educational exchange, bringing new opportunities for investment and development to both nations.”

The event was joined by Prof. Dr. Iyas Khader, Vice President for Academic Excellence at GJU, and various industry representatives from both Germany and Jordan, such as a keynote speech by Mrs. Tanja Rühl from Plastics Europe, Dr. Reema AlBaghdadi from the Jordan Chamber of Industry, Mr. Karsten Anger from Hadi Plast, a company located in both Germany and Jordan, as well as Martin Pütz from Sumitomo (SHI) Demag Plastics Machinery GmbH, who also joined the event and presented input speeches. A special feature was the presentation by Dr.-Ing. Ahmad Al-Sheyyab, a Jordanian who obtained his master's degree in Germany 20 years ago and completed his doctorate in plastics technology in Erlangen. He now works at REHAU AG in the Window division. He gave a lively account of the differences and similarities in studies and professional life between Jordan and Germany and opened the eyes of some participants to the tasks ahead.

Discussions focused on:

• Sustainability, innovation, and workforce needs in the PACE field
• Regional industry outlooks for Jordan and Germany
• Digital injection moulding innovation in Jordan
• Experiences from SMEs and global manufacturers
• Possibilities for collaboration in applied research and joint teaching

Participants took part in roundtable discussions, networking activities, and a World Café session focused on German-Jordanian cooperation in material sciences, discussing the main factors that affect the plastic industry. The event was rounded off with a lab tour of the facilities at THWS.

Mr. Karsten Anger, Hadi Plast:

“My colleague and I are glad to have travelled to the German south for the inauguration of the first German- Jordanian industrial hub meeting. The fruitful discussions between representatives of the sector of polymers and elastomers from both countries are in line with our company's plans to invest in the Jordanian market in which we see high potential. The annual PACE-Hub meetings will lead to a closer connection of the involved partners from GJU, THWS, and general industry representatives as well as the Jordan Chamber of Industry.”

A future-focused model for applied education and collaboration with industry

Both events reflect the joint commitment of GJU and THWS to a hands-on, practice-oriented approach to engineering education. By engaging companies and researchers early in the design of study programmes, both institutions aim to ensure high graduate employability and cross-border research collaboration.

Prof. Dr. Jean Meyer, THWS President:

“The applied science character of THWS in particular means that the students in both programmes, Hydrogen Engineering and Advanced Materials Engineering, will be suited for the work market after graduating with their degree from THWS. THWS is proud to have been host to two German-Jordanian industrial hubs in 2025 in order to strengthen the ties between academia and industry in both countries and to assure that the transnational majors reflect the interests of the industrial partners, leading to excellently educated and prepared students who will be an asset on the labour markets in both countries and world-wide upon their graduation.”

2025 marks the first edition of the annual hub meetings in Green Hydrogen and Advanced Materials (PACE). The now newly established networks in both disciplines are set to reconvene annually, and the participants expressed their interest and dedication to work together on not only bringing challenges that affect their respective fields to the table to solve jointly, but also to make use of the collaboration to explore new avenues for joint projects and funding opportunities.