By international standards, the University of Jordan has a medium-size student population (about 34,000). The student body at the University is immensely diverse. Most students are Jordanian. But Jordanian students are themselves diverse. As the University is public, it is bound to admit students from all over the country. The admission policies make it a must for all national universities to accept students both through a quota system (which allows students from the less privileged regions to be admitted to the various departments) and through free competition from all parts of the Kingdom: from Amman itself, the major cities, the smaller towns, the villages, and the desert areas. In this sense, the University is multicultural. Such multiculturalism is a reflection of the multiculturalism and pluralism of the country at large. There is an overall uniformity in the Jordanian society, but there is also diversity: not only geographically, but also ethnically, linguistically, religiously, and with respect to habits, customs, and moral values.

Such multiculturalism, pluralism, and diversity are a great advantage to the University community. Students from the Badia (the remote desert areas) meet students from the villages, the towns, and the cities. Such interaction on campus is both instructive and valuable. In addition to this, the University also gets students from the region at large. There are many students, both undergraduate and graduate, from Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, North Africa, etc. And there are students from all the parts of the globe: American, British, Malaysian, Japanese. One look at the Square (the central campus area in which students sit or stand in groups to socialize or debate ideas between classes) shows this nice mix of students. What enriches campus life is the environment’s conduciveness to the exchange of ideas and dialogue.

Though the University prides itself on a responsible, morally-conscious atmosphere, it cherishes the freedom and openness which characterize campus life. The number of International students has grown steadily over the years. In this respect UJ receives students from all over he globe. About 12% of the students population are International.

Another important factor to underscore in this context is that the University gets the most competitive students in the Kingdom. The vast majority of students put the University as their first choice when they fill their application for admission. In this sense, the University feels fortunate. Most students are highly competitive and have a great potential for learning and excelling. This does not mean, however, that the University is only for the elite students. As has been prefaced, it accepts students of lesser ability and potential. But it does all in its power to upgrade their ability and competence.

The University, furthermore, takes care of its students through extra-curricular activities. There are over (30) clubs and societies on campus which the students take an active part in. There are clubs and societies concerned with sports, music, the environment, public service, health, literature, art, voluntary work, seminars, lectures, etc. Student government is an important feature of campus life and the University pays a great deal of attention to it. There is an eighty-member student council, half of which is elected by secret ballot once a year. It is run by a committee composed of a president, a vice president, a secretary, etc. The Council is very active. It arranges seminars, lectures, book fares, bazaars, etc., and it offers assistance to needy students. All of these activities enable the students to learn, grow, mature, and gain experience. One fundamental objective of the University, like other outstanding universities worldwide, is to build students’ character and to provide them with leadership skills.