Press Conference at AAU Highlights Global Rankings, Accreditations, Scientific Research, and Technical Education Achievements

In a press conference held for local media, Prof. Sari Hamdan, President of Al-Ahliyya Amman University, announced the university’s outstanding achievement of ranking within the 761–770 band in the QS World University Rankings, placing first among private universities in Jordan and third among all Jordanian universities, following the University of Jordan and Jordan University of Science and Technology. Prof. Hamdan emphasized that this ranking is not merely a number, but a reflection of a strategic vision and continuous efforts toward quality and leadership. It is a global recognition of the university's stature and an investment in its students' future, opening opportunities for international research partnerships. He described rankings as a tool to drive performance enhancement through clear policies, specialized teams, and regularly reviewed performance indicators- all while maintaining strong national and societal commitments. At the start of the conference, Prof. Hamdan extended heartfelt congratulations to His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II on the occasion of his birthday, wishing him continued health and well-being. He also welcomed the journalists and media representatives, referring to them as strategic partners in showcasing the university’s local and regional progress. He highlighted that AAU was the first private university in Jordan to receive approval from the Ministry of Higher Education in 1989 and started accepting students in 1990. He thanked Mr. Abdul Karim Al-Kabariti, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, for his dedication to the university’s vision, and Dr. Maher Al-Hourani, Vice Chairman and Head of the Board of Directors, as well as Mr. Omar Al-Hourani and all board members, for their support and guidance. Prof. Hamdan also praised the university’s faculty and administrative staff for their collective efforts to elevate the institution, and extended special thanks to the Rankings Committee, including: • Prof. Ahmad Hamdan, Vice President and Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry • Prof. Bashar Al-Tarawneh, Dean of Engineering and the Faculty of Technical Education • Dr. Iyad Shaaban, Assistant to the President for Accreditation and Quality Assurance • Prof. Ahmad Abu Orabi, Dean of Scientific Research • Dr. Ahmad Mansour, Director of Rankings and Sustainability • Eng. Ahmad Omar Al-Hourani for his continued follow-up He stressed that the impact of rankings extends beyond prestige, affecting scholarships and admissions in Arab and international institutions, which now favor ranked universities. He congratulated the University of Jordan and JUST for their achievements, attributing success to the efforts of higher education and accreditation bodies. Prof. Hamdan explained that there are three main international rankings: Shanghai, QS, and THE (Times Higher Education), each with different criteria. He noted that the Faculty of Dentistry is now advancing toward its own rankings. He highlighted the university’s strong advancement in scientific research, ranking first among private Jordanian universities locally and 16th in the Arab region, up from 43rd, with the Webometrics ranking placing AAU at 41st in the Arab world. He credited this progress to improved publication quantity and quality and the introduction of financial incentives for research: JD 2,500 for Q1 publications, decreasing by tier, to encourage impactful research output. Prof. Hamdan also noted that the founding of the Faculty of Technical Education aligns with the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II and HRH Crown Prince Al Hussein, aiming to reduce unemployment by equipping students with practical skills and qualifications for the job market. He stressed that all graduates are required to complete field training programs relevant to their specializations, including the use of AI and smart technologies. New diploma programs approved include: • Medical Device Technology • Hospitality Management (Culinary Arts) • Game Development • Business Administration (Logistics and Procurement) • Health and Social Care Practice (Health Assistant Professions) • Agricultural Crop Production AAU has also been accredited as a Pearson BTEC Center from the UK, offering international diploma programs in: • Interior Design • Automotive Engineering • Software Engineering • Film and Television Prof. Bashar Al-Tarawneh, Dean of Engineering and Technical Education, noted that Pearson-accredited diplomas are recognized in over 70 countries. The university has already begun constructing a dedicated building for the Faculty of Technical Education and developed a full operational plan to begin enrollment in the coming academic year. He confirmed that the Medical Device Technology diploma will span 96 credit hours over 3 years, with only one similar program currently offered by the Royal Medical Services, making AAU the second in Jordan to offer it. Four international BTEC diploma programs will launch in parallel, with additional programs planned for the 2026/2027 academic year. He emphasized that the faculty will represent a significant leap in Jordanian higher education, with state-of-the-art labs and training equipment that simulate real-world work environments, preparing students for high-quality professional careers and contributing to a knowledge-based economy. Prof. Ahmad Samed Abu Orabi, Dean of Scientific Research, outlined the university’s strategy to foster research addressing societal and industrial challenges. The university has invested heavily in research infrastructure, including laboratories and research centers. Research output has significantly increased in both volume and quality: • Since inception: 4,549 publications, 49% in indexed journals • In 2023: 712 publications, 59.9% in top-tier journals • In 2024: 1,070 publications, 60.1% in high-ranking journals He affirmed that a revised strategy focuses on international collaborations, which are already contributing to higher research quality. Dr. Iyad Shaaban, Assistant to the President for Accreditation, stated that the university's path to excellence started with full compliance with national accreditation standards. All colleges and programs have earned local quality certifications, reflecting AAU’s dedication to continuous improvement and the application of best academic and administrative practices. He shared that the university operates under a globally oriented strategic plan, offering 40 bachelor’s and 20 master’s programs across 15 colleges. Locally, it maintains ISO 9001 certification, renewed every three years, and holds an institutional quality assurance certificate issued in 2024. Currently, 65% of its programs are fully aligned with the National Qualifications Framework, with the remaining 35% in the process. He highlighted the university’s growing portfolio of international accreditations, including those for the Colleges of Pharmacy, Engineering, Nursing, and IT, boosting its graduates’ competitiveness both locally and globally. Dr. Ahmad Mansour, Director of the Center for Sustainability and Global Rankings, concluded the event by stating: “Rankings are not a goal in themselves, but a means for institutional development based on best practices and sustainable excellence. Our aim is to be among the global elite by advancing performance across research, education, and community service.” He added that Al-Ahliyya Amman University stands out in global and regional rankings, thanks to the concerted efforts of students, faculty, and staff. This performance has prompted international institutions to invite AAU to share its model as a benchmark in higher education excellence. Dr. Mansour emphasized the university’s proactive role in shaping the future of education in Jordan and the region, urging collaborative efforts among Jordanian institutions to market Jordan as a regional and international educational hub. Finally, it is worth noting that the QS World University Rankings 2025 included 16 Jordanian universities, up from 10 the previous year, 7 public and 9 private, reflecting the country’s growing global academic presence. The 2025 QS ranking encompassed 1,500 universities from over 100 countries, all of which met rigorous criteria for inclusion, underscoring the competitiveness and excellence required to earn a spot.