Prof. Hamdan at the Higher Education Conference: Al-Ahliyya Amman University: A National Educational Success Story Par Excellence

Prof. Sari Hamdan, University President, participated in the National Conference on Higher Education titled “From Vision to Implementation: A Roadmap for Modernization, Transformation, and Institutional Resilience in the Higher Education Sector.” The conference was held recently at the Dead Sea under the patronage of His Excellency Faisal Al-Fayez, President of the Senate. The event was organized in collaboration with the Senate, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Jordanian universities. In his address, Prof. Hamdan stated: “It is an honor for me, as President of Al-Ahliyya Amman University, to share the success story of the first private university in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Since its founding, the university has positioned itself as a leading national institution that blends academic excellence with innovation, openness, and community engagement. This success is the result of a journey marked by numerous accomplishments, built on key pillars that form the foundation of our university’s mission. Today, I will outline these pillars and highlight the factors that have made Al-Ahliyya Amman University a model of academic and societal excellence.” 1. Developing Academic Programs Aligned with Labor Market Needs Prof. Hamdan emphasized that the success of any educational institution lies in its ability to adapt to economic and technological developments. Al-Ahliyya Amman University was among the first to recognize the importance of aligning higher education with labor market demands. Through a participatory approach, the university engages its faculties in ongoing labor market analyses using field studies and workshops to identify both local and regional needs. Faculties are actively involved in curriculum development and innovation, ensuring alignment with 21st-century skills. The university also maintains strong ties with public and private sector stakeholders to bridge the gap between educational outcomes and labor market requirements. Modern and Future-Oriented Specializations include: Bachelor’s Programs • Doctor of Dental Surgery • Digital Media • Electric Vehicle Engineering • Dental Technology • Occupational Therapy • French and English Languages • Industrial Engineering and Quality Management • Chinese and English Languages • German and English Languages Master’s Programs • Structural Engineering and Project Management • Business Technology 2. Advancing Vocational and Technical Education In line with the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, the university has pioneered efforts to promote vocational and technical education as a strategic solution to reduce unemployment and enhance youth employability. Key initiatives include: • Establishing the Faculty of Technical Education, which serves as the academic hub for applied and vocational programs. • Achieving official accreditation as a center for Pearson BTEC International Programs, offering internationally recognized professional diplomas. Specializations under these programs include: • Electric Vehicle Maintenance – Equipping students with advanced automotive technology skills. • Dental Technology – Utilizing modern techniques for creating precise dental prosthetics. • Medical Device Technology – Merging engineering and healthcare to develop innovative medical tools. • Film Production and Digital Media Design – Meeting the creative industry’s growing demands. • Agricultural Technology – Driving innovation in agriculture through modern technological applications. Prof. Hamdan noted that these programs significantly reduce the gap between traditional education and current economic demands, offering students high employability in both local and international markets. These efforts reflect the university’s mission to equip youth with practical, market-ready skills that contribute to national development. 3. Supporting Athletic Excellence Another cornerstone of the university’s success is its commitment to athletic excellence. Prof. Hamdan highlighted the role of sports in shaping leadership and character, and the university’s dedication to creating an attractive environment for talented athletes across Jordan. Key highlights include: • Scholarships of up to 55% for outstanding student-athletes. • Three full annual scholarships awarded to students who achieve Olympic or international distinction, in collaboration with national sports teams and the Jordan Olympic Committee. • Academic flexibility to allow student-athletes to balance training, competition, and academic performance. 4. Deep Community Engagement Prof. Hamdan also highlighted the university’s ongoing commitment to community service and engagement, reflecting its strong sense of social responsibility. Community initiatives include: • Financial support for Al-Salt Sports Club. • Active cooperation with Al-Salt Municipality. • Charitable partnerships with NGOs. • Ramadan campaigns, including food parcel distributions and community iftar events. These initiatives underscore the university’s dedication to being a socially responsible institution rooted in its Jordanian identity and focused on humanitarian development. 5. Promoting Scientific Research and a Vision for the Future Prof. Hamdan emphasized the university’s strategic investment in applied research. The university supports faculty through: • Financial incentives for publishing in indexed journals. • Editorial and technical support for peer-reviewed publications. He shared the university’s significant growth in research output, with more than 4,300 Scopus-indexed publications, leading to notable improvements in national and global rankings. Annual Scopus-Indexed Publications: • 2018: 72 • 2019: 134 • 2020: 218 • 2021: 317 • 2022: 568 • 2023: 774 • 2024: 1,219 (to date) 6. Creating Job Opportunities Abroad Prof. Hamdan shared a remarkable example of how the university supports employment abroad. Through a partnership with Vienna Medical City in Austria, the university prepares Jordanian nursing graduates to pass the German language proficiency exams and secure permanent employment in Austria. Students receive German language training (up to A1 or A2 levels). Upon passing, they are employed in Austria with full benefits equivalent to Austrian nationals, including monthly salaries exceeding €3,000. So far, 40 nurses have been employed within the past five months. The agreement aims to provide 600 nurses over the next three years. Prof. Hamdan concluded: “The success story of Al-Ahliyya Amman University is not a product of chance, but the outcome of an integrated institutional effort guided by an ambitious strategic vision—one that sees education as the foundation of human and societal development. Our journey is built on innovation, openness, and strong partnerships with the community, providing a modern educational experience that meets the aspirations of Jordanian youth and responds to global trends. We remain committed to this path, under the wise leadership of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and in collaboration with all sectors of society, to continue serving as a beacon of knowledge and a model of excellence and leadership.”