It is with great honor and pleasure that I address you as the eleventh President of The University of Jordan (UJ). The honor stems from the fact that the UJ, the alma mater that received me, along with more than 150,000 other students, with much love and care as an undergraduate in the Department of English Language and Literature and now as a President, is no ordinary university. It is not only the oldest university in the nation, the “Mother University” as we often speak affectionately of it and soon to celebrate its Golden Jubilee, but also the most comprehensive, innovative, and internationally recognized.

Over the years, the UJ’s administrations have succeeded in crystallizing a central role for the University in offering solid education to successive generations of Jordanians and non-Jordanians alike, and in contributing fundamentally to the development and progress of the Jordanian society and state. It is a great privilege for me indeed to lead the UJ at this crucial juncture in time, at which both higher education itself and our Jordanian society at large are facing ever-growing global challenges and unparalleled competitive environments.

The pleasure stems from the many aspirations and plans we have for the UJ. Much has been done, I should remind; but much still needs to be done, I should caution. While high quality education will be at the core of the UJ’s mission, and an essential requirement for maintaining the University’s standing as a center of excellence for higher education, the challenges of the times and the needs of a knowledge-based society, makes it imperative that the UJ charts new scientific research policies and stratigies that will equip it to rise to the challenges.

          In my first address to the faculty members of the UJ two days after I assumed the office of the President (September 21st, 2010), I announced the new vision of the University, “UJ 2015: The First Research University in Jordan.”  To reach this vision, we need to work hard and diligently on developing the University’s infrastructure in terms of both the material and human resources. My administration is committed to cutting edge scientific research and endeavor. Scholarly activities should not be driven by individual interests such as promotion and tenure only, but should and will be driven by the needs and the “greater good” of the society as well.

Another high priority for my administration over the next few years will be turning brain drain into brain gain.  The UJ, as well as all other higher education institutions in the Kingdom, suffered from a severe attrition of faculty members during the last five years.  Immediate actions must and will be taken to stop this.  My administration will ensure that the UJ offers a conducive work environment that leads to high retention rates among its faculty members, and that promotes their collective development without overlooking their individual needs.

The UJ will accelerate its internationalization and outreach efforts to play its rightful role as a premier institution of research and higher education in the global age we live in.  It will continue to lead the society and to be the country’s laboratory for innovation, and scientific and cultural ventures. With the dedication and hard work of its academic and administrative staff, and the excellence and creativity of its students, the UJ will pursue initiatives that will propel it towards joining the league of world-renowned universities in the not-so-distant future..