Interdisciplinary Research Committee
Al-Ahliyya Amman University
Institutional Research Overviw
The Interdisciplinary Research Committee is AAU's primary institutional body for advancing research that transcends disciplinary boundaries. Comprising fifteen members drawn from engineering, health sciences, law, business, arts, physical sciences, psychology, the private sector, and graduate studies, the Committee drives the university's transition toward a collaborative, impact-oriented research culture.
Governance and Functioning
The Committee convenes a minimum of four times per semester, with extraordinary sessions convened as required. Decisions are reached by consensus and formally documented in meeting minutes submitted to the Dean of Scientific Research. The Committee operates under a three-year mandate with renewable membership, and reports annually on research progress to AAU's University Council.
Mission
The Interdisciplinary Research Committee serves as AAU's authoritative institutional body for catalyzing, governing, and sustaining research that crosses disciplinary boundaries. The Committee's mission is to embed interdisciplinary research as a core pillar of AAU's academic identity, advancing knowledge that is collaborative in design, impactful in application, and competitive at the global level.
Responsibilities
1
Strategy and Policy
  • Formulate and periodically review AAU's Interdisciplinary Research Strategy in alignment with the University's 2025–2030 Strategic Plan and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Establish institutional policies governing the formation, operation, and evaluation of interdisciplinary research teams.
  • Define research priority areas that reflect AAU's disciplinary strengths and respond to regional and global challenges.
2
Research Development and Team Formation
  • Review and approve proposals for interdisciplinary research teams and projects.
  • Recommend the composition of cross-disciplinary research teams ensuring meaningful representation across colleges and research units.
  • Assess proposed interdisciplinary research topics for scientific merit, strategic relevance, and feasibility.
3
Capacity Building and Culture
  • Design and commission specialized workshops, training programs, and seminars to build faculty competencies in interdisciplinary research design and collaboration.
  • Promote a culture of interdisciplinary inquiry across AAU's colleges, centers, and graduate programs.
  • Integrate graduate students into interdisciplinary research activities as active contributors.
4
Funding and Resource Mobilization
  • Identify and pursue internal and external funding opportunities for priority interdisciplinary projects.
  • Oversee grant application processes and ensure sustained financial support for approved research initiatives.
  • Coordinate with the Research Partnerships and Scientific Collaboration Office to leverage co-funding arrangements with industry and international partners.
5
Output, Publishing, and Visibility
  • Monitor the publication of interdisciplinary research outputs in high-impact, internationally indexed journals.
  • Develop and implement a communication strategy to maximize the academic visibility of AAU's interdisciplinary research portfolio.
  • Ensure research outputs are documented and reported in formats aligned with global ranking requirements, including THE Interdisciplinary Science Research indicators.
6
Alignment with Rankings and SDGs
  • Map interdisciplinary research activities and outputs to relevant UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Ensure the Committee's work contributes measurably to AAU's performance in global university rankings, particularly the Times Higher Education World University Rankings and Impact Rankings.
  • Provide analytical and evaluative support to the Centre for Sustainability and Global Rankings on interdisciplinary research indicators.
7
Governance and Reporting
  • Document all decisions in formal meeting minutes submitted to the Dean of Scientific Research.
  • Submit an annual performance report to AAU's University Council detailing research progress, team outputs, and strategic recommendations.
  • Review and evaluate the Committee's own effectiveness on an annual basis.
Committee Members and Their Main Tasks
1
Prof. Dr. Ahmad Samed Al-Adwan
CHAIR
Dean of Scientific Research — Chair
Leads interdisciplinary research transition, develops policies and plans, ensures integration of funding and institutional support.
2
Dr. Ahmed Moh'd Mansour
Director, of Sustainability and International Rankings Center
Aligns interdisciplinary research outcomes with sustainable development goals and global ranking indicators.
Prof. Dr. Ghada Alhudhud
3
Prof. Dr. Ghada Alhudhud
Researcher in Engineering and Technology
Develops integrated approaches combining technology and engineering, supports creation of applied models.
Prof. Dr. Linda Alkhawaja
4
Prof. Dr. Linda Alkhawaja
Researcher in Arts and Humanities
Reinforces human and cultural dimensions of interdisciplinary research.
Dr. Osama Oqilat
5
Dr. Osama Oqilat
Researcher in Physical Sciences and Mathematics
Integrates quantitative analysis methodologies and physical theories into interdisciplinary projects.
Dr. Rasha Alqawasmeh
6
Dr. Rasha Alqawasmeh
Researcher in Business and Economics
Incorporates economic frameworks and analyses financial dimensions of research challenges.
Dr. Hamdi Al Nsairat
7
Dr. Hamdi Al Nsairat
Researcher in Health Sciences
Enhances integration between health sciences and other fields.
Dr. Abdullah Altarawneh
8
Dr. Abdullah Altarawneh
Researcher in Psychology and Education
Brings behavioural and cognitive dimensions to interdisciplinary research.
9
Dr. Fayrouz Abousweilem
Head, Research Partnerships & Scientific Collaboration Office
Activates multi-stakeholder research partnerships locally and internationally.
Dr. Ghazi Jaber
10
Mr. Ahmad Maher Hourani
Industry Expert / Private Sector Representative
Directs research toward industrial applications aligned with market needs.
Dr. Saddam Alawaisheh
11
Dr. Saddam Alawaisheh
Researcher in Law
Analyses legal dimensions in interdisciplinary research, ensures regulatory compliance.
Nagham Anabousi
12
Nagham Anabousi
Interdisciplinary Research Funding and Support Unit
Manages funding processes and grant applications for priority projects.
Suzan Alzubi
13
Suzan Alzubi
Scientific Publishing and Research Communication Unit
Oversees publication and develops communication strategy for academic visibility.
Dr. Kholoud Alkayid
14
Dr. Kholoud Alkayid
Researcher in business intelligence
Conduct research, analyze relevant data, and provide evidence-based insights to support the committee's work and objectives.
Student ahmad aljadid
15
Student Ahmad Aljadid
Graduate Student Representative
Empowers graduate students to participate in interdisciplinary projects.
📌
Reporting and Institutional Role
Through its advisory and coordination role, the Committee contributes to the continuous development of AAU's interdisciplinary research ecosystem by supporting strategic planning, identifying opportunities for collaboration, reviewing institutional progress, and promoting a culture of interdisciplinary research across colleges, centres, and research support units.

Contact Deanship On

  • Email: Dean_grad@ammanu.edu.jo
  • Phone: +962 5 3500211
  • Extension: 2587
  • Address: Al-Ahliyya Amman University / Amman-Jordan- Al Salt Road / Zip-Code (Postal Address): (19328)
  • Fax: +962 6 5336104
Footerlogo

Al-Ahliyya Amman University

Email: Public@ammanu.edu.jo

 

© Copyright Al-Ahliyya Amman University. Amman, Jordan 19111.

IAU
WHED

IAU-009825