On September 19, 2022, representatives of the Al-Balqa Applied University, MED-QUAD partner  in Jordan, participated in the workshop and info day for the projects funded by the European Union under the ENI CBC MED Program implemented in Jordan. The Jordan University of Science and Technology and the Higher Council for Science and Technology, U-SOLVE partners in Jordan, together with Al-Balqa Applied University, co-organized the events. 

The workshop was attended by twenty-eight representatives of universities. During the workshop, the strategic framework of the ENI CBC Med program was highlighted, mainly the priorities for facing the Mediterranean region's socio-economic and environmental challenges, especially youth unemployment and social inequality. 

In addition to the MEDiterranean QUadruple helix Approach to Digitalisation (MED-QUAD), which aims to cooperate and interact with the four key factors of innovation (universities/research centres, businesses, local government, and society), 3 other projects participated in the event: U-SOLVE, EMPHASIS and MYSEA. U-SOLVE aims to create a model of urban development based on innovative entrepreneurship, addressing sustainable development challenges, boosting urban business ecosystems and creating jobs in emerging social and environmental markets. The second project, EMPHASIS focuses on deploying an open innovation system that supports SMEs to exploit sustainability business opportunities through cross-border partnerships across the Mediterranean. MYSEA aims to increase the employability of young people, women and NEETs in the agri-food and waste management industries by developing training oriented to both sectors and strengthening local governance and sector-skills alliances between economic actors and TVET institutions. 

At the info day, representatives of each project informed the attendees about their goals, actions and progress at this stage. During the event, the partners identified common points and goals between the projects and expressed the desire to create a synergy. The partners expect the substantial synergy of projects to develop a model of urban development based on cooperation and interaction with the four key innovation actors. 

Professor Rebhi Damseh from the Al-Balqa Applied University explained its contribution to developing the city’s society in the Mediterranean through MED-QUAD. In the context of this project, he  explained the development of a Smart Water Use Applications living Lab (SWUAP) and the expected results provided in the field of research to develop new services and products matching the end-users demands and needs.  

The exciting and efficient event closed with laid the foundation for developing a future collaboration.