By Zayed Alzyoud
The University of Jordan (UJ) President Prof. Nathir Obeidat took part in the Second Annual India–Arab University Presidents Summit, hosted in Ajman under the theme “Impact Beyond Borders: Research, Innovation & Mobility.” The summit was held at the Sheikh Zayed Center for Conferences and Exhibitions.
The event brought together higher-education leaders from India and the Arab world to advance academic cooperation. Discussions focused on best practices in university leadership and scientific research, as well as opportunities for joint projects and applied academic partnerships.
Participants also addressed academic mobility for students and faculty members, alongside ways to better align educational outcomes with labour-market needs and emerging technologies.
During the summit, Obeidat outlined UJ’s vision and its ongoing modernisation efforts, stressing that expanding international partnerships remains a strategic priority to strengthen the university’s global engagement in education and research and enhance its international standing.
He highlighted UJ’s progress in international rankings as a reflection of continued improvement in education quality, research performance and university governance.
Obeidat also addressed the future of higher education amid rapid global change, noting that UJ views artificial intelligence and digital transformation as key forces shaping teaching, research and academic administration in line with the knowledge economy and future skills.
As part of the programme, Obeidat joined “Panel Discussion III: Research Collaboration for Sustainable Development,” which explored ways to strengthen Arab–Indian research cooperation and translate research outputs into practical development priorities through applied partnerships and the exchange of expertise.
On the sidelines of the summit, Obeidat held bilateral meetings with presidents and representatives of Arab and Indian universities. Talks explored cooperation in joint research, academic exchange programmes, and student and faculty mobility, as UJ continues to expand its international partnership network and build long-term academic links.
The summit also brought together official and academic stakeholders, including India’s Ministry of Education, the Association of Arab Universities (AArU) and the Association of Indian Universities (AIU).