President of the University of Jordan
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| President of the University of Jordan | |
|---|---|
 Seal of the University | |
| University of Jordan | |
| Formation | February 26, 1962 |
| First holder | Nasir al-Din al-Asad |
| Website | ju |
The President of the University of Jordan is the head of the university and is responsible for its administration. The president is appointed by royal decree on the recommendation of the university's Board of Trustees.[1] As the chief executive of Jordan's oldest public university, the president oversees an institution that includes campuses in Amman and Aqaba,[2] more than 1,600 faculty members, over 50,000 students, and 25 schools.[1][3]
The president's responsibilities include academic, administrative, and financial matters. The position includes authority over the implementation and approval of university policies and procedures, subject to the oversight of the Board of Trustees. The president also reviews general academic and administrative policies and oversees senior appointments, including those of vice presidents and deans. In addition, the president supervises the establishment and reorganization of colleges, departments, centers, institutes, and academic programs.[4]
Independent background coverage of the main University of Jordan campus places it in the al‑Jubayha area of northern Amman along Queen Rania Street, and characterises the campus as a large site (described as about 120 hectares) that has expanded over time.[5]
Jordanian university legislation provides that each university has a full-time president appointed for a four-year term, renewable once, and sets baseline eligibility criteria including Jordanian nationality and holding the rank of professor.[6] For public universities, the president is appointed by royal decree based on the recommendation of the Council of Higher Education and selected from a shortlist of three candidates recommended by the university's board of trustees.[4]
The same legislative framework describes how service ends (including at the expiry of term, accepted resignation, or death) and provides for removal and transitional arrangements, including a prohibition on leaving a university without a president for more than a defined period. In parallel, comparative governance briefs produced for international higher-education cooperation initiatives describe public universities as "autonomous to a large extent" administratively and financially, while noting that presidents are appointed by royal decree upon recommendation of the national higher-education council.[7]
Powers and duties
The president's responsibilities include policy oversight, staff management, external representation, and the handling of administrative issues at the university. The office also has a role in maintaining institutional standards and responding to major operational challenges. In addition, the president oversees senior appointments, including vice presidents and deans, and supervises the establishment or reorganization of colleges, departments, centers, institutes, and academic programs.[4]
The president is responsible for approving the university's code of ethics, a founding document that guides ethical and behavioral standards within the academic community. His role extends beyond the campus, where the president serves as the official representative in various fields, including interactions with government bodies, appearing before courts, and participating in public and formal meetings.[4]
As a member of the Board of Trustees by virtue of his position, the president's influence extends to faculty appointments, renewals, and terminations, thus playing a key role in shaping the faculty body.[4]
In times of necessity or unexpected circumstances, the president has discretionary power to suspend classes partially or entirely. This ability to make swift decisions emphasizes the president's role as the ultimate decision-maker, ensuring the safety of the university community.[4]
Assistants and deputies
The president holds the highest position at the university and is at the top of the hierarchy, while the Vice President holds the highest levels within college groups.[8]
Within the president's executive team, five main vice presidents play pivotal roles. Among them is the vice president for the humanities colleges, responsible for shaping the academic landscape in this field, while the vice president for the scientific colleges focuses on the complexities of scientific disciplines, ensuring their growth and development. The vice president for administrative affairs handles administrative matters, streamlining organizational efficiency.[8]
Additionally, the vice president for planning, development, and financial affairs plays a critical role in guiding the university towards its strategic goals. Finally, the vice president for centers and community service, who also serves as the head of Aqaba branch, leads community engagement initiatives.[8]
List of University of Jordan presidents
The 15th and most recent president of the university is Nathir Obeidat, appointed in 2021. Of the previous presidents:[9]
| No. | Name | Portrait | Date of Appointment | Date of Completion | Duration of Presidency |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nasir al-Din al-Asad (First term) |
 |
February 26, 1966 | August 20, 1968 | 2 years, 176 days |
| 2 | Abdulkareem Khalefah |  |
August 21, 1968 | August 15, 1971 | 2 years, 359 days |
| 3 | Abdelsalam Majali (First term) |
 |
August 18, 1971 | June 10, 1976 | 4 years, 297 days |
| 4 | Ishaq Al-Farhan |  |
June 10, 1976 | April 6, 1978 | 1 year, 300 days |
| Nasir al-Din al-Asad (Second term) |
|
June 1, 1978 | September 20, 1980 | 2 years, 111 days | |
| Abdelsalam Majali (Second term) |
|
September 21, 1980 | July 9, 1989 | 8 years, 261 days | |
| 5 | Mahmoud Al-Samra |  |
July 10, 1989 | August 16, 1991 | 2 years, 37 days |
| 6 | Fawzi Gharaibeh |  |
August 17, 1991 | August 20, 1998 | 7 years, 3 days |
| 7 | Walid al-Ma'ani |  |
September 20, 1998 | January 15, 2002 | 3 years, 117 days |
| 8 | Abdullah al-Musa |  |
February 11, 2002 | December 2, 2004 | 2 years, 295 days |
| 9 | Abd al-Rahim al-Hunayti |  |
December 5, 2004 | May 30, 2007 | 2 years, 176 days |
| 10 | Khaled al-Karaki |  |
May 31, 2007 | July 27, 2010 | 3 years, 57 days |
| 11 | Adel al-Tuwaisi | September 15, 2010 | February 1, 2012 | 1 year, 139 days | |
| 12 | Ekhleif al-Tarawneh |  |
March 25, 2012 | March 16, 2016 | 3 years, 357 days |
| 13 | Azmi Mahafzah |  |
April 16, 2016 | June 14, 2018 | 2 years, 59 days |
| 14 | Abdel-Karim Al-Qudah |  |
August 30, 2018 | August 4, 2021 | 2 years, 339 days |
| 15 | Nathir Obeidat |  |
August 4, 2021 | Present | 4 years, 258 days |