AMMAN —
His Majesty King Abdullah on Tuesday
stressed the important role of universities in the successful implementation of
the outcomes of the state’s modernization efforts, especially political
modernization.
اضافة اعلان
During a meeting with the presidents of public universities
at Al-Husseiniya Palace, King Abdullah urged youth at universities to undertake
their key role in the political modernization process and participate in
platform-based political parties.
At the meeting, attended by HRH Crown Prince Hussein, His
Majesty called for finalizing the by-law to organize the activities of
political parties at universities and urged institutional action to prevent
placing any impediments to youths’ engagement in political life.
The King also underscored the importance of providing a
positive environment at universities conducive to achieving political
modernization, according to a Royal Court statement.
Discussing the importance of staying abreast of
technological developments to bolster Jordan’s human capital, His Majesty
stressed the need to equip future generations with the skills needed to enable
them to capitalize on the opportunities available and meet labor market
demands.
For his part, Crown Prince Hussein highlighted the role of
universities, as well student clubs and unions, in supporting the political
modernization track, and promoting a culture of dialogue and political action
among students.
The Crown Prince also noted the need for a qualitative leap
in vocational and technical education.
Speaking at the meeting, Minister of Education and Minister
of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Wajih Owais outlined the measures
taken by the two ministries to implement the Political Parties Law, which
allows for on-campus political party engagement by university students.
Owais said a committee was formed by the Higher Education
Council to prepare courses to educate students on political party engagement on
campus, noting these courses will be ready by the first semester of the
upcoming academic year.
Owais highlighted the importance of regulating relations
between students and university administrations, expecting the by-law for this
to be finalized within a week, and to enter into force as of October.
In order to equip school students with the necessary skills
to engage in political life, he said the Ministry of Education has prepared, in
cooperation with the National Center for Curriculum Development, two textbooks
for 10th and 11th graders to hone their skills before entering universities.
For their part, heads of universities reviewed key
challenges facing their academic institutions, sharing their views on means of
enhancing the role of students and universities in implementing modernization,
especially on the political track.
They said universities have to be examples and incubators of
political activism in Jordan, highlighting the need to further develop
curricula and youth programs by experts, and to restructure deanships of
students’ affairs to allow for this.
The university presidents added that university
administrations and faculty members must maintain neutrality to allow for
on-campus partisan work, calling for training faculty members on ways to
promote political engagement among students.
They said universities must take back their leading role in
the local community and capitalize on the expertise of professionals to educate
students and hone their skills.
They stressed that universities should keep up with regional
and international educational developments, highlighting commitment to academic
modernization at all levels to ensure graduates can meet labor market needs.
Royal Hashemite Court Chief Yousef Issawi and Director of
the Office of His Majesty Jafar Hassan attended the meeting.
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