Day: May 4, 2025

Amman: The University of Jordan’s School of Arts officially launched a new master’s program in clinical psychology on Sunday, during its Scientific Day event inaugurated under the patronage of University President Nathir Obeidat. The program is the first of its kind at a public university and the second nationwide.

According to Jordan News Agency, the new program, described as one of the university’s pioneering initiatives, aims to prepare highly qualified professionals capable of delivering high-quality psychological services. It combines rigorous academic knowledge with intensive practical training, aligned with the latest global standards in the field.

Speaking on behalf of the university president, Dean of the School of Arts Dr. Mohammad Qudah said the launch marks the culmination of years of academic planning aimed at aligning graduate programs with real-world needs. He stressed the school’s commitment to innovation, international partnerships, and responsiveness to labor market demands.

Qudah emphasized that the program is designed to mirror international standards in training clinical psychologists and researchers. He underscored the school’s mission to graduate students who are not only academically prepared but also equipped with the skills needed to navigate and contribute to society.

The dean also noted the school’s steady progress in accreditation and curriculum development, with six out of seven undergraduate programs, five of nine master’s programs, and two of five doctoral programs already accredited or under review.

Head of the Psychology Department Marwan Zoubi described the master’s program as a vital step in professionalizing psychological services in Jordan. He said the program offers practical, evidence-based training to prepare students for diagnosing and treating psychological disorders, addressing a long-standing gap in the field that has often been left to unqualified practitioners.

Ahmad Al Sheikh, a psychology department member and the program’s academic coordinator, highlighted that this initiative reflects years of dedicated effort. The curriculum balances theory and practice, including more than 300 supervised training hours in the second year. For the first time in the humanities faculty, credit hours for theoretical courses will include practical components, similar to programs in health and medical sciences.

Consultant psychiatrist Walid Sarhan called the launch an embodiment of His Majesty King Abdullah II’s vision of high-quality services for citizens. He stressed the importance of integrating coursework taught by psychiatrists to help students understand how to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams.

Ahmad Bawaneh, country director for the International Medical Corps (IMC), hailed the launch as a long-awaited milestone, noting a strong and growing demand for qualified clinical psychologists in the job market.

The event also featured a video chronicling the history of the Psychology Department and several academic sessions covering diverse topics in literature, mental health, sociology, and family studies including cultural perspectives on disagreement, Orientalism during the Ottoman period, and the psychological dimensions of rehabilitation and addiction treatment.

Amman: The University of Jordan inaugurated its 5th Erasmus+ International Staff Week on Sunday under the theme “Bridging Cultures, Strengthening Partnerships, and Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education.” The event, organized by the university’s International Affairs Unit, brings together 60 representatives from 23 universities across 13 countries, fostering international dialogue, knowledge exchange, and the development of sustainable academic partnerships.

According to Jordan News Agency, University President Nathir Obeidat underscored the institution’s commitment to advancing internationalization, aligning with Erasmus+ goals to promote academic mobility and establish a high-quality and sustainable framework for education and training. He described Erasmus+ as more than a program it is a concept that connects people across cultures and backgrounds through collaborative initiatives, such as joint master’s and doctoral programs, which help raise the academic profile of institutions and foster innovation.

Obeidat also emphasized the importance of shared objectives in digital transformation, green transition policies, equal opportunity, and innovation ecosystems. He called for intensified collaboration to bridge the digital divide and tackle global challenges through interdisciplinary cooperation.

EU Ambassador to Jordan, Pierre-Christophe Chatzisavas, praised the successful partnership between the University of Jordan and Erasmus+, describing the program as a national success story. He noted that 600 to 800 Jordanians benefit annually from Erasmus+ academic exchange opportunities.

Ahmad Abu El-Haija, director of the Erasmus+ National Office in Jordan, highlighted the university’s position as a leading beneficiary of Erasmus+ programs in the country, citing numerous successful collaborations with European universities that have enhanced the quality of higher education in Jordan.

Sameh Al-Zubiedi, director of the International Affairs Unit, noted that the university’s international initiatives align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. He announced the launch of the first joint doctoral program with Hamburg University of Technology, a direct outcome of Erasmus+ cooperation. The university currently holds over 250 agreements and MoUs with more than 200 institutions in 60 countries, with 75% of its European partnerships formed through Erasmus+.

He also reported a record number of 200 student and staff exchanges during 2024 and 2025, made possible through more than 85 active mobility partnerships.

The five-day program features activities aimed at strengthening academic networks and fostering cross-cultural engagement. Highlights include panel discussions, experience-sharing sessions among partner universities, presentations by Erasmus+ alumni, sustainability-focused events, university tours, and networking meetings with university leadership.

The week will culminate with an international university fair on Wednesday, showcasing promotional materials and potential areas for academic cooperation, followed by a closing ceremony and certificate distribution.

Amman: The general assembly of Jordan Telecom Company – Orange Jordan has approved the board of directors’ recommendation to distribute cash dividends to shareholders amounting to JD41.25 million, equivalent to 220 fils per share. This distribution represents 99.5% of the company’s net profits and 22% of its capital, which stands at JD187.5 million.

According to Jordan News Agency, the decision was taken during the company’s thirty-first annual general assembly meeting. The meeting was chaired by the company’s chairman, Raslan Deiranieh, with the presence of board members and CEO Philippe Mansour.

The financial data disclosed in the company’s financial statements as of the end of December 31st, 2024, indicate that the total revenue amounted to JD361.3 million, with a customer base reaching 4.5 million subscribers across all services. Capital expenses during 2024 were JD75.5 million, representing 20.9% of the company’s total revenue. Most of these expenses were directed towards investments in 5G network development projects and the expansion of the fiber network. Since 2000, Orange Jordan has invested approximately JD1.7 billion in network infrastructure.

Amman: Jordan ranked 99th out of 193 countries in the Human Development Index (HDI), according to the first quarterly report of 2025 from the Executive Program for the Economic Modernization Vision 2023-2025.

According to Jordan News Agency, the report highlights several key developments tied to improving the country’s human development indicators. Among them, the government has rolled out updated guidelines to healthcare providers focusing on maternal and child services at primary health centers, aiming to enhance care quality.

In the healthcare sector, unified clinical protocols have been introduced for conditions like breast cancer, while work is underway to update guidelines for managing chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and respiratory illnesses.

On the education front, the Ministry of Education has taken stock of all initiatives and programs related to sustainable development education, including those run by the ministry itself, as well as those managed by partner organizations, as pa
rt of Jordan’s national initiative for 2024.

Additionally, the government secured UNESCO’s approval to shift a project aimed at building capacity in local development directorates to be implemented directly by municipalities across the country. A series of workshops has already been held to support this transition.

Efforts are also ongoing to review and align the various sub-indicators that feed into the Human Development Index, in coordination with relevant agencies, to ensure more targeted and impactful improvements.

Madaba: Prime Minister Jafar Hassan paid an unannounced visit to Al-Nadeem Hospital in Madaba on Sunday, underscoring the government’s push to upgrade public services through direct, on-the-ground oversight.

According to Jordan News Agency, the Prime Minister was joined by the Minister of Health as he called for fast-tracking the expansion of the hospital’s emergency department to boost patient capacity and cut down wait times.

He also instructed that construction on the new Madaba Public Hospital begin this summer, with operations set to start by the end of 2027. The hospital, pledged during a Cabinet session in Madaba this past March, is part of the government’s broader commitment to expanding healthcare infrastructure.

The Prime Minister also visited Umm Rummaneh Mixed Basic School in Al-Jeezah (Central Badia), where he spoke with students and teachers about their needs and challenges. In response, he directed immediate progress on the school’s planned expansion, upgrades to its facilities and outdoor areas, and a full round of maintenance.

The visit is part of Dr. Hassan’s wider effort to directly assess public service priorities and ensure timely delivery on key development commitments.

Amman: Jordan continues to advance its higher education sector, with several notable developments highlighted in the first quarterly report of 2025 under the Economic Modernization Vision (2023-2025).

According to Jordan News Agency, as part of efforts to align university education with labor market needs, three Jordanian universities, Amman Arab University, Applied Science Private University, and Middle East University, have partnered with Pearson Education to launch new technical diploma programs. These programs are designed to complement the updated high school curriculum and promote the growth of technical and vocational education across the country.

In parallel, the government approved a new investment fund regulation for Yarmouk University in 2025. The move is intended to empower the university to generate its own resources, enabling it to finance development initiatives and support ongoing academic activities.

The report also pointed to solid progress in infrastructure development linked to healthcare and medical education. Construction of the new Faculty of Medicine has reached 67% completion, while 79% of the associated university hospital has been completed, both part of a broader national project aimed at enhancing Jordan’s medical education and healthcare services.