By Zayed Alzyoud
Edited by Suha Alsubaih
Al Mamlaka TV dedicated a special edition of its morning program Al Mamlaka Al-Youm on Tuesday to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the University of Jordan (UJ), bringing together distinguished academics and student leaders to reflect on the institution’s legacy and its enduring role in shaping the nation’s intellectual and social fabric.
Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Adnan Badran highlighted the university’s remarkable trajectory, pointing out that it has grown from a single school with 600 students into a comprehensive institution of 23 schools serving nearly 50,000 students. “This rapid transformation reflects the depth of vision upon which the university was founded and its unwavering pursuit of excellence,” he remarked.
UJ President Prof. Nathir Obeidat reaffirmed the university’s founding vision, noting that since its establishment in 1962, it has produced generations of graduates whose impact resonates both locally and internationally. “Today, the university is not only about teaching and knowledge,” he said. “It is about reshaping the character of our students to become agents of change, equipped with soft skills, critical thinking, flexibility, and the ability to engage respectfully with others.” He stressed that the accelerating pace of technological advancement demands continuous innovation in academic programs.
Historian Prof. Mohammad Adnan Al-Bakhit revisited the university’s beginnings, recalling the Royal Decree issued by the late King Hussein bin Talal in 1962, which laid the foundation for a new era of academic and scientific advancement in Jordan.
Dean of the School of Nursing Prof. Areej Khaleel Othman attributed her school’s global recognition to sound strategic planning, international partnerships, and the quality of its research and employability outcomes. “These elements have elevated the school’s reputation and strengthened its global presence,” she affirmed.
President of the Student Union Nour Al-Din Al-Khattab underscored the university’s vital role in nation-building. “UJ has been instrumental in preparing a generation of ambitious young leaders, capable of innovation and leadership, and ready to carry forward the aspirations of Jordan,” he said.
It is worth noting that UJ, established in 1962 with just one school, two modest buildings and eight professors, has since grown into a leading centre of higher learning. Today it comprises 26 schools and offers more than 302 undergraduate and postgraduate programmes across the sciences, humanities and health fields, a remarkable transformation that underscores its enduring role in higher education.