Professor Hamdan Patronizes AAU's First Day of Graduation Ceremony for the 31st Cohort of Second Semester Graduates

Professor Sari Hamdan, President of Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU), patronized the university's first-day graduation ceremony on July 30, 2024, at the Arena Theater. The ceremony honored the graduates of the second semester of the 2023-2024 academic year from the 31st cohort of the faculties of "Graduate Studies, Arts and Sciences, Educational Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Law, and Business." The event was attended by the Vice President of the University, Professor Anas Al-Saud, President Assistant for Accreditation, Quality and Planning Affairs, Dr. Eyad Shaban, deans, faculty members, administrative staff, and a large gathering of the graduates' families and invited guests. The ceremony began with a recitation from the Holy Quran, followed by the national anthem. Then, the Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Mustafa Atiyyat, delivered a speech in which he welcomed the event's patron, Professor Sari Hamdan, President of the University, esteemed members of the Board of Trustees, deans, faculty, administrative staff, guests, and graduates, saying: "I am delighted to warmly welcome you to Al-Ahliyya Amman University, which is celebrating today the graduation of its students from the faculties of Graduate Studies, Arts and Sciences, Educational Sciences, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Law, and Business for the second semester of the 2023-2024 academic year." He added: "It is a source of pride and honor to be here today at a university that has illuminated the sky of higher education in Jordan with the light of pioneering, leadership, and innovation since its establishment as the first private university in Jordan more than thirty-four years ago by the late founder, Dr. Ahmad Al-Hourani. Today, it stands as a beacon of knowledge and a center of cultural enlightenment." He continued: "On behalf of Al-Ahliyya Amman University, I extend the highest congratulations and blessings to His Majesty King Abdullah II on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee of his ascension to the throne. At this time, we also pray for victory and resilience for our brothers in Gaza and all of Palestine, and that God may have mercy on their martyrs and heal their wounded." Regarding the university's distinction and leadership in various fields, Dr Atiyyat said: "Al-Ahliyya Amman University bears the burden of excellence and uniqueness, embodying the spirit of the nation and the meaning of science and knowledge, thanks to the immense and continuous support from the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr. Maher Al-Hourani, who tirelessly strives for the university's advancement in all areas and provides the university with everything modern and advanced. This is also due to the strategic vision and distinguished administrative experience of the university president, Professor Sari Hamdan, whose clear imprint has raised the university's name both locally and internationally. Thanks are also extended to all the university staff, both faculty and administrative." He added: "We are proud of Al-Ahliyya Amman University, which has maintained its lead among private Jordanian universities and achieved a qualitative leap by advancing 40 positions to be within the 801-850 category globally in the QS World University Rankings for 2025, while also maintaining its third place among Jordanian public and private universities. This notable achievement confirms the university’s academic excellence and leadership in higher education. This success is the result of the university's strategic vision and continuous efforts to develop its academic and research programs and to create an advanced educational environment that fosters creativity and innovation, which calls upon all of you as graduates to take pride in your university, Al-Ahliyya Amman University." Regarding the university's newly introduced specializations that meet the changing needs of the job market, he said: "The university adopts a forward-looking vision to be a leading educational institution that always seeks to keep pace with developments in science and technology. This is clearly demonstrated through the introduction of several new specializations at both the bachelor's and master's levels to meet the changing needs of the local, regional, and global job markets." The university recently introduced the following academic programs: • Master’s in Business Technology/ Business School • Bachelor’s in Dental Technology / Faculty of Dentistry • Bachelor’s in Occupational Therapy / Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences • Bachelor’s in Game Design and Development / Faculty of Information Technology • Bachelor’s in Chinese-English and Bachelor’s in German-English / Faculty of Arts and Sciences • Bachelor’s in Electric Vehicle Engineering and Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering / Faculty of Engineering He also praised the graduating student-athletes who have brought pride to the university, saying: "We are pleased today to celebrate the graduation of a group of our outstanding student-athletes who have achieved notable accomplishments for the university. You have proven through your diligence and perseverance that sports and education are two sides of the same coin, and that excellence is not confined to classrooms but extends to sports fields as well. We congratulate you on these successes and express our pride in you. We also send our best wishes to our absent-present champion, Zaid Mustafa Mahmoud Abdulkarim, a graduate from the Faculty of Educational Sciences, Physical Education and Health major, who has not only excelled academically but also exceeded university boundaries to become an ambassador for our university and our nation at major international sports events, representing the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the ongoing Olympic Games in Paris, France. We wish our champion success in raising the national flag high and standing on the winners' podium." In conclusion, Dr. Atiyyat congratulated the graduates, saying: "I congratulate you on behalf of myself and my colleagues, the faculty and administrative staff, and express our pride in your graduation, which is the fruit of the arduous efforts you have exerted over years of study and perseverance. You have built a foundation for a promising and bright future, confident that you will be pioneers and innovators in your various fields." The valedictorian, Mustafa Nafe' Al-Rafa'i, a graduate with distinction from the Faculty of Law, then delivered a speech, welcoming the event's patron, Professor Sari Hamdan, President of the University, Mr. Omar Al-Hourani, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Vice President Professor Anas Al-Saud, the deans, faculty, administrative staff, graduates, and their families. He praised AAU's commitment to supporting ambitious youth seeking change and success in line with the directives of His Majesty King Abdullah II, considering youth as the largest segment of society. He said: "You, the youth, are the future of Jordan, and the responsibility that awaits us is as great as the ambition and determination we possess, so let us be up to the responsibility." He added: "Today, we take a step toward a long-awaited dream, with a mixture of emotions between sadness for leaving this academic institution that provided us with knowledge and pride for overcoming a crucial stage that we passed only through our determination and perseverance." He thanked the professors, colleagues, and friends, expressing his gratitude for all the memories. He concluded by saying: "On such a day, we cannot help but remember our brothers in Palestine and Gaza who are struggling for the honor of this nation, and whose university studies have been interrupted by the brutal aggression." The ceremony was hosted by student Alaa Al-Damour from the Faculty of Graduate Studies. At the end of the ceremony, the event's patron, President Hamdan, handed out certificates to the graduates and presented awards to the outstanding students. It is noteworthy that tonight, under the patronage of Dr. Maher Al-Hourani, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the university will hold the second-day graduation ceremony for the 31st cohort of students from the faculties of Pharmacy, Allied Medical Sciences, Nursing, Information Technology, Architecture and Design, and Engineering.