Under the Patronage of His Excellency the Secretary-General for Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Prof. Wael Al Hayajneh and Executive Director of the Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (GHD|EMPHNET), Dr. Mohannad Al Nsour, the graduation ceremony of the 15^th and 16^th cohorts of Jordan’s Field Epidemiology Training Program (FETP) was held on Saturday, February 6, 2021, at the Jordan Ministry of Health (MoH).

The two cohorts consisted of 11 graduates each, making a total of 22 graduates. They have successfully completed the requirements of the two-year advanced FETP curriculum and had expanded their knowledge in areas of field epidemiology including outbreak investigation, emergency response, surveillance, and biosafety and biosecurity, among other disciplines. 

The ceremony was attended by Assistant Secretary-General for Primary Healthcare Dr. Ghazi Sharkas; and Director of the Communicable Diseases Directorate, Dr. Sami Al-Sheikh; and Head of Community Medicine, Jordan FETP Director, Dr. Majid Asaad, as well as FETP mentors and graduates. 

In his speech, Jordan FETP Coordinator, Dr. Ashraf Agel said he was very proud of the achievements the program has achieved to date, while especially commending residents and graduates of Jordan FETP for their role in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, and applying the scientific and epidemiological methodology that they learned on the ground. He also noted that since the establishment of the program, 98 medical doctors have graduated and that they have all been instrumental in supporting surveillance activities across the Kingdom.

From his end, H.E Prof. Al Hayajneh congratulated the graduates on the fulfillment of their graduation requirements. He highlighted the importance of having such a program while fighting a ferocious enemy such as COVID-19. Prof. Al Hayajneh ended his speech by thanking GHD|EMPHNET for supporting the program, while commending its unequivocal commitment to the responsible participation and leadership of the public health community.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Al Nsour stated that Jordan FETP has been a leading program since its inception 22 years ago. He added that COVID-19 provided an opportunity for youth involvement and for a multi-sectorial approach in which multiple parties joined forces to combat COVID-19. He emphasized that the program is self-sufficient with all the high competencies that it currently has.

He concluded his speech by thanking all those who supported the success of this program from technical advisors, mentors, and managing personal. Dr. Al Nsour also reiterated that GHD|EMPHNET is committed to providing support to the program and its needs.

During the ceremony, the Ministry of Health, represented by Prof. Al Hayajneh, and GHD|EMPHNET represented by Dr. Al Nsour, received recognitions for their contributions and support to the program’s success.

The graduation ceremony is a milestone for FETP Jordan, as these graduates will be the driving force to serve their respective communities, and it is with these aspiring minds and the coming cohorts that they will contribute to the strengthening of the health systems in Jordan and the region.