GU-Q and Japan International Cooperation Agency Collaborate to Boost Jordan’s Public-Private Partnerships Expertise

Georgetown University in Qatar (GU-Q) signed an agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Monday, July 21, to launch a technical cooperation project aimed at enhancing the capacity of Jordanian officials to design, implement, and manage Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). The agreement was signed by Mr. Andrew Henley, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Strategy Advisor at GU-Q, and Mr. Morihata Shingo, Chief Representative of the JICA Jordan Office.

JICA, the Japanese government’s official development assistance agency dedicated to promoting inclusive and sustainable development around the world, announced that the initiative will include a comprehensive training program and an international study tour for senior Jordanian officials overseeing Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) across various government ministries and independent institutions.

Led by Georgetown University in Qatar, the program adheres to world-class academic and professional standards and. It is led by a distinguished team of faculty members and specialized researchers with more than 25 years of experience working with governments, ministries, and public sector institutions globally and across the region, offering participants both academic insight and practical expertise.

The program will be fully delivered in Australia, a nation renowned for its leadership in developing and executing successful PPP projects across diverse sectors, including infrastructure and service delivery. A key component of the initiative is an immersive field study tour, which will provide a comprehensive learning experience through visits to high-performing institutions and entities with proven track records in PPP implementation, offering participants direct exposure to international best practices and practical applications.

This initiative is designed to support the establishment of a dedicated inter-ministerial PPP team within Jordan. This team will be tasked with proposing, analyzing, evaluating, formulating, managing, and operating PPP projects.

The program will culminate in a high-level workshop for interested trainees, bringing together representatives from various government ministries and bodies, the private sector, local and international investors, banking experts, and the donor community. This collaborative forum is expected to foster dialogue and cooperation.

This strategic partnership highlights Georgetown University in Qatar’s regional leadership in policy education, capacity building, and international cooperation, and affirms the university’s role in supporting innovation and public sector transformation in the Middle East.