In the fifth episode of Mulhem, the University of Jordan’s (UJ) official podcast, listeners are invited into a special conversation with Prof. Walid Al-Ma’ani, the former Minister of Higher Education and Health, and a prominent professor of neurosurgery. But this episode is more than a professional profile. It’s a deeply personal reflection on what it means to serve, to teach, and to believe in future generations.
Al-Ma’ani’s story begins with a lifelong connection to the University of Jordan, a place he calls transformative. “The University of Jordan was not just a place where I studied or taught,” he says. “It shaped who I am professionally and personally.” Over the years, he held multiple leadership roles, from Dean of the Faculty of Medicine to Vice President for Scientific Faculties to the President of the University, but his bond with the institution runs deeper than titles.
Medicine, for him, was never just a career; it was a calling. Drawn to neurosurgery, one of the most complex and demanding specialities, he trained abroad. But the real goal was always to give back. At the heart of his return was a sense of duty to strengthen local medical education and practice. “The University of Jordan is a beacon that must remain lit,” he says, describing his mission to contribute to the university’s continued excellence.
As Minister of Higher Education, Al-Ma’ani faced the challenging task of reforming a system under pressure. He compares the experience to “fixing the airplane wing while it was flying”, an intense metaphor for trying to implement structural change while systems were in motion. He speaks with honesty and urgency about the need for Jordanian universities to evolve. “We need a university that steps into the street,” he says, “that listens to society, that produces knowledge people need.”
As a passionate advocate for meaningful education, Al-Ma’ani believes the role of the university is not just to pass on information, but to teach students how to think. “Critical thinking should be the goal, not memorisation,” he says. “Our students must learn to ask, to wonder, to challenge.”
Throughout the conversation, what stands out most is his belief in young people. “This generation is aware and ambitious,” he says. “But they face a different world than we did. Our job is not to judge them, but to support them, to listen, not preach.” For him, true reform begins when institutions recognise young people’s reality and give them real tools for growth and participation.
This episode of Mulhem offers more than insight into the career of an experienced academic and public servant. It offers wisdom, humility, and a vision for education rooted in human connection, relevance, and trust. Prof. Walid Al-Maani reminds us that education leadership isn't just about policies, it’s about people.