Launching the Triple Helix Platform in Jordan
Recently the Orange Knowledge project in Jordan took its next step by launching the Triple Helix platform by organizing a workshop and inaugural meeting in Amman. The Triple Helix (3H) approach aims at linking academia, government and industry players to find local solutions for local problems faced by farmers in horticulture. One key aspect is to narrow the skills gap of graduates and the industry and strengthening entrepreneurial skills of students, graduates and teachers to stimulate self-employment in the sector.
During the event Hans Nijhoff, project manager from Maastricht School of Management (MSM), explained how the project will contribute to employment opportunities of TVET graduates, support sustainable horticulture industry growth, and practical 3H platforms, including technology transfer and B2B hubs. Furthermore, there were contributions from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands where Ms. Suha Al Bitar, agricultural advisor, emphasized the importance of the agricultural sector in Jordan and the interventions in supporting the 3H approach. Nuffic, as Orange Knowledge Programme manager of which the project is part, stressed the importance of joining efforts in supporting the horticulture sector.
After the welcoming remarks, Andre Dellevoet of MSM gave a keynote on “How to turn 3H partnerships into communities of learning and action”. He presented the steps of establishing an effective 3H platform, including on scoping, platform establishment and proof of concept and sustainability. MSM 3H expert Julius Gatune shared his practical expertise on the topic and zoomed in on possible problems that 3H platform can focus on.
3H platform can help solve practical horticulture challenges
Some issues that farmers face are, for example, the lack of value chain organization, lack of marketing skills, financing aspects, the lack of skilled labor as well as the costs of non-Jordanian labor. The listed issues were identified during the labour market needs assessment that was performed earlier in the year, and that need 3H solutions in the time to come, said Prof. Jamal of the University of Jordan. A discussion between participants looked at how this can be done in practice. Prof. Mahmoud Duwayri, from the University of Jordan, focused the discussion on the need to provide upgraded skills-training courses to students and professionals. Prof. Dr. Samih Abubaker, from BAU, explained how in his view the 3H approach can contribute to better coordinating food security issue, through joint strategic planning and sound setting of a practical regulatory framework.
During the day multiple related topics were discussed between the participants, and a route for next steps was discussed. This will focus on bringing the 3H approach to the local setting, close to the horticulture farmers. Local 3H actors will then jointly define how the platform can provide practical solutions for local problems.
About the project in Jordan
MSM together with its consortium partners CINOP, University of Amsterdam, Q-Point, Profyta and Acacia Water capacitate the University of Jordan, Al-Balqa Applied University, Shoubk University College and Al-Huson University College to contribute to End hunger, double smallholder productivity and income, and ensure the sustainability and resilience of food production systems by 2030 (SDG 2).
Orange Knowledge Programme
This project is part of the Orange Knowledge Programme (OKP) which is funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and managed by Nuffic. For more information click here.
Related news
Strengthening capacity of TVET teaching & management staff in Jordan
New agricultural development and water management project in Jordan set to start in March
MSM strengthens its project activities in the Middle East
