To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Jordan and Mexico's diplomatic ties, the Mexican Embassy in Amman hosted a visual arts exhibition in which the Fine Arts faculty took part. "Frida Through the Eyes of Young Jordanian Artists," the exhibition's title, was attended by Dr. Nancy Nimroqa, Minister of State. Under the direction of Dr. Mohammed Salem, Head of the Fine Arts Department, the exhibition included 77 modern pieces of art that drew inspiration from the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. More than 70 male and female college students produced the pieces, which represented Kahlo's symbolic presence as a worldwide symbol of artistic integrity and audacity while also expressing their own visual interpretations of her legacy.
The Mexican ambassador to Jordan, said that the two nations' relationship goes beyond formal and institutional frameworks to include deep-seated cultural and human ties. “The art exhibition is a clear indication of the deep appreciation that young Jordanian artists have for contemporary Mexican art," he said.
Salem emphasized the role that Yarmouk University's Fine Arts faculty plays in fostering artistic and cultural communication, pointing out the significance of these efforts in enhancing the college's artistic visibility both domestically and abroad, showcasing students' creative energies, and creating opportunities for collaboration with embassies and cultural institutions that foster idea sharing.
The exhibition, which runs until August 6, represents a unique milestone in the university's cultural landscape and a valuable academic opportunity to deepen students' awareness of global art issues. It also represents a practical embodiment of the Sustainable Development Goals in activating the role of the arts as a tool for cultural expression and cultural exchange.
The President of Yarmouk University, Dr. Islam Massad, affirmed the University's strong belief that knowledge is no longer a choice but a necessity. He emphasized that scientific research is the most reliable path toward sustainable development, knowledge sovereignty, and a better future.
Speaking at the opening of the Scientific Day, organized by the Deanship of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies under the title "New Horizons in Scientific Research and Graduate Studies: Innovation and Challenges", Dr. Massad added that scientific research is the key to national progress and to finding effective solutions to the various challenges facing societies.
Dr. Massad stressed Yarmouk University’s commitment to translating the Royal directives that prioritize education, youth empowerment, and the development of scientific research as a fundamental pillar of national progress. Accordingly, the University has developed a vision with clear steps and quality initiatives that have led to notable achievements on both local and regional levels.
He added: "Today, Yarmouk University proudly honors a group of distinguished researchers, faculty members, and graduate students whose innovative ideas and promising scientific efforts reflect the bright image of the University and contribute to building a Jordan defined by excellence and ambition."
For her part, the Dean of Scientific Research and Graduate Studies, Dr. Wissal Al-Omari, noted that this Scientific Day marks the culmination of the University's ambitious strategic vision. The aim is to promote a culture of productive scientific research and foster an academic environment that encourages creativity, adapts to change, and responds thoughtfully to challenges through sound scientific methodology and responsible critical thinking.
She confirmed that scientific research and graduate studies are essential pillars of academic institutions’ progress and excellence. Graduate programs, she explained, are no longer merely advanced stages of education; they have become platforms for creative thinking, hubs for knowledge generation, and incubators for intellectual leadership capable of making a meaningful impact and shaping the future.
As part of the Scientific Day activities, Dr. Tareq Maghtash, Secretary General of the National Center for Epidemics and Disease Control, spoke about the importance of scientific research and its role in the development of societies. He described it as the key to the future and at the heart of every positive change we aspire to for our country. He stressed the need for countries to give special attention to scientific research due to its critical role in boosting national economic output.
He called for unified efforts to make scientific research a true national priority, to develop policies that support research, and to align academic studies with national and societal needs. He also emphasized the importance of creating national funding programs in cooperation with the industrial sector and giving youth the opportunity to lead.
The opening ceremony also included the honoring of distinguished university researchers for the year 2025 across engineering, scientific, medical, and humanities faculties.
- At the level of engineering and scientific faculties, Dr. Massad honored Dr. Haitham Bani Salameh (Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology), Dr. Eyad Abu Doush (Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Sciences), and Dr. Ali Shehadeh (Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology).
- In the medical and health faculties, Dr. Massad honored Dr. Omar Qamouh, Dr. Mirvat Al-Sous, and Dr. Haneen Amawi from the Faculty of Pharmacy.
- In the humanities faculties, he honored Dr. Khalaf Al-Tahat (Faculty of Media), Dr. Khaled Al-Bashayrah (Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology), and Dr. Sahm Al-Nawafleh (Faculty of Business).
The Scientific Day also featured a student research poster exhibition and two lectures. The first, delivered by Eng. Mohammad Diab, Head of the Intellectual Property and External Licensing Department at the Intellectual Property Commercialization Office, was titled “Protecting the Outcomes of Innovative Scientific Research.” The second lecture, given by Dr. Rami Nassar from the group of multinational pharmaceutical companies, was titled “How Can Jordan’s Healthcare System Prepare for Tomorrow?”
The event also included a panel discussion with several Deans of Scientific Research titled "Opportunities and Challenges for Scientific Research in Jordanian Universities," and a 5-Minute Thesis (5MT) competition where graduate students presented their theses and dissertations in just five minutes. The day concluded with the honoring of the winners of the Best Poster Competition and the 5MT Competition.
A group of students from Al-Hijjawi Faculty of Engineering Technology at Yarmouk University participated in the opening of the Special Operations Equipment Exhibition SOFEX 2024, which was sponsored by His Majesty the King in Aqaba, in the presence of His Highness the Crown Prince. The participation of Yarmouk students in the exhibition came through two projects, within the section of creative projects for Jordanian university students.
The first project, entitled "Smart Helmet for Military Purposes", is a graduation project for students, Lina Al-Quran, Mohammed Gharaibeh from the Department of Electronics Engineering, Omar Khatatbeh from the Department of Computer Engineering, and Lama Al-Khatib from the Department of Communication Engineering, under the supervision of Dr. Yousra Obeidat from the Department of Electronics Engineering, considering that this project received financial support from King Abdullah II Fund for Development in cooperation with the Jordan Design and Development Center.
The second project, entitled "Versatile Robot for Safety Systems", supervised by Dr. Ghazi Maqbala from the Department of Industrial Engineering, is a graduation project for students, Abdul Rahman Al-Masei, Fatima Al-Arsan and Sarah Al-Daabsa from the Department of Industrial Engineering, and Rama Daqamseh from the Department of Architecture Engineering.
For his part, the Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Muhammad Al-Zubaidi, stressed that the participation of students in such exhibitions comes as an embodiment of the University's philosophy of involving its students in events that link their creative projects to the industrial and modern technology market in a way that enhances national belonging through projects that have military applications.
It is noteworthy that the exhibition was held over 3 days, with the participation of 73 countries and more than 300 international exhibiting companies specialized in defense and security industries. Also, it is noteworthy that the exhibition was attended by military leaders and civilian officials from Arab and international countries.
Representing the Minister of Youth, Assistant Secretary-General for Technical and Strategic Affairs Dr. Yassin Al-Hilal sponsored the conference activities TEDxYarmouk University, organized by Al-Hajjawi College of Technological Engineering at Yarmouk University, with the participation of a group of Jordanian speakers and a qualitative presence that included academic leaders, students, and those interested in culture, creativity, and technology.
Al-Hilial confirmed in his opening speech, that this conference reflects the young Jordanian identity that weaves from passion and excellence a global platform for all, stressing that TEDx Yarmouk University represents a unique experience in the north of the Kingdom.
For his part, the Dean of Al-Hajjawi College of Technological Engineering, Dr. Mohammed Al-Zubaidi, expressed his pride in organizing this qualitative event of Yarmouk University, stressing that TEDxYarmouk University is not just an event, but also an embodiment of the university's vision and its leading role in empowering students and promoting the culture of creativity and community participation.
He added that the university's participation in organizing this event comes from its belief that the role of academic institutions is no longer limited to the transfer of knowledge, but extends to include building a stimulating environment for critical thinking, experimentation and leadership, expressing that Al-Hajjawi College is proud that it not only graduates competent engineers, but also creates personalities capable of influencing and serving their societies. Al-Zubaidi praised the great efforts made by the student team organizing this event, consisting of 41 students, appreciating their role in bringing out the event at a high level befitting the university, and expressing his deep thanks to all speakers, sponsors and supporters.
For his turn, the president of the conference, student Hassan Abu Saris, said that his journey with TEDx began in 2022 as a beginner organizer in a small conference, but the passion prompted him to work on creating a deeper and more broad experience at TEDxYarmouk University 2025, stressing that what happened today is an experience made from the hearts of young people, and from a student vision that seeks to present the voices and inspiring ideas of Jordanians to the world.
The conference presented a group of inspiring speakers whose backgrounds and experiences were diverse.
It is noteworthy that the TEDxYarmouk University conference is one of the most prominent youth events held in the north of the Kingdom under the international TEDx license, which came this year under the title: "From the heart of Jordan to the world", embodying the creative Jordanian spirit, which seeks to create an impact beyond borders.
Ahmad Mahmoud Al-Omari, a graduate of the Computer Science Department at the Faculty of Information Technology at Yarmouk University, has won the "Computer Engineering Graduation Research Award" for his work in artificial intelligence (AI), which was ranked the second-best research project across U.S. universities.
Al-Omari’s award-winning research involves the design of a smart algorithm that integrates AI and quantum physics to create high-efficiency sensors for data collection within computers.
Al-Omari is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in computer engineering at Cleveland State University in the United States, specializing in quantum machine learning. To date, he has seven published scientific papers in this cutting-edge field.
The Higher Education Council decided to approve the establishment of the undergraduate program of Art Education in the Faculty of Fine Arts at Yarmouk University, starting from the first semester of the academic year 2024-2025. The Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Ali Al-Rabiat, said that this program includes visual arts, music education and drama education, indicating that this program is the first of its kind at the level of Jordanian universities, and the first of its kind also at the level of Arab universities in terms of the content of study plans. He added that the study plans for this program were designed according to the references of a number of leading international universities in the field of arts, such as the German University of Berlin and Ohio University, stressing that the development of this program comes in response to the growing need to develop technical and educational skills that depend on teaching creativity and innovation skills, social skills, mental, physical and academic skills among students.
He then stated: This program will contribute to providing the community with specialized competencies in the field of various arts, pointing out that the study plan includes a set of theoretical and practical courses that cover multiple aspects of visual arts, music and drama, in addition to language communication skills related to German, English, French, Spanish, Turkish and Chinese.
Moreover, Al-Rabiat stressed that the Faculty of Fine Arts is provided with the latest facilities and equipment necessary for the teaching process, such as technical studios equipped with the latest tools and technologies, modern theaters and exhibition halls, advanced music laboratories, computer laboratories and a specialized library that contains various resources in various technical fields, in addition to the Faculty’s professors and technicians who are experienced enough to achieve the academic and artistic vision of establishing this program
A research team at Yarmouk University has achieved a research milestone by publishing a patent application to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for an invention entitled “Concrete Composition Containing Thiol/Sulfide Compounds”.
The research team includes Dr. Fares Matalqa from the Department of Civil Engineering at the Hijjawi Faculty of Engineering Technology, along with Prof. Mohammad Zaitoun and Dr. Yazan Al-Akkam from the Department of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry at the Faculty of Pharmacy.
The patent application published by the Technology Transfer Office at the Deanship of Scientific Research and Postgraduate Studies addressed the development of a modified concrete composition that includes thiol-alcohol derivatives and cysteine-derived compounds, to enhance the mechanical strength of concrete by up to 50% compared to conventional concrete and improve its durability in harsh environments, through mechanisms that accelerate the cement hydration process by reducing the water content in the mix, this improves density and structural properties, reducing cement consumption without compromising overall performance.
According to the study, adding small amounts of these organic compounds to the concrete mix enhances the hydration reaction of cement. It also creates an effective alkaline medium that strengthens bonding and cohesion properties while reducing water loss.
Test results have shown that using cysteine and thiol alcohol derivatives before incorporating them into concrete mixtures improves the structural performance and increases their break-resistance after 7-28 days of curing.
The research team emphasizes that this achievement reflects real integration between engineering and pharmaceutical sciences, standing as one of the multidisciplinary applied models that the university aims to support, and also confirms that using amino acid derivatives in building materials opens up new horizons for using these materials in the construction industry to improve different properties of concrete mixtures.
According to the research team, this research work is a successful example of fruitful collaboration between pharmacy and engineering specialties, as it allows an integration of experiences in molecule design and assessing its behavior in a cement environment to produce a unique combination with promising applications in sustainable construction.
The Deanship of Science Research and Postgraduate Studies is currently working on marketing the patent and seeking industrial and investment partners to transform the composition into a commercially usable product for the building and construction sector, thereby contributing to supporting the knowledge economy and strengthening the university's role in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Yarmouk University has achieved outstanding results both locally and globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025, placing within the 1001-1200 category.
The university ranked second locally in the subject of Educational Studies, placing among the 401-500 best universities worldwide in this discipline. It also secured second place locally in the Arts and Humanities subject, ranking 601+ globally.
Additionally, Yarmouk ranked third locally in Social Sciences, placing among the 801-1000 best universities worldwide in this subject.
In the subjects of Medicine and Health, Business and Economics, and Computer Science, Yarmouk University was ranked among the 601-800 best universities globally. In Engineering, the university ranked within the 801-1000 category worldwide, while in Physical Sciences, it was placed in the 1001+ category.
University President, Dr. Islam Massad, emphasized Yarmouk’s ongoing efforts and vision to enhance its academic programs by advancing its educational and research trajectory in health, humanities, and engineering fields. He also highlighted the university’s commitment to strengthening collaborations with prestigious international institutions to support rigorous scientific research, publish in global databases, and conduct joint research projects.
He added that, in line with its strategic plan, Yarmouk University consistently strives to improve its global ranking by prioritizing accreditation, quality assurance, and rankings. The university actively engages its faculty, administrative staff, and students in this effort to enhance its reputation and position among top global universities.
It is worth noting that the Times Higher Education World University Rankings is one of the most well-recognized international ranking systems, known for its rigorous evaluation criteria, which assess universities based on research quality and teaching excellence.
The Higher Education Council in Jordan decided to approve the establishment of an undergraduate program in applied Arabic language at the Faculty of Arts at Yarmouk University, beginning in the first semester of the academic year 2024-2025. The Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Muhammad Al-Anqra, said that this program is the first of its kind at the level of universities in the Middle East, indicating that it is a unique and pioneering specialization in academic and applied terms and is able to provide the best professional competencies in the field of applied Arabic language. He then pointed out that the establishment of this program at Yarmouk University came with the aim of preparing qualified graduates to the labor market in the fields of teaching Arabic, proofreading, journalistic work, and areas of daily life in which the Arabic language is used.
Al-Anqra also pointed out that the development of the program is an urgent necessity, given the contemporary global trend towards applied sciences, including languages, indicating that the Arabic language is one of the rapidly spreading languages globally and that it is deadly needed to develop the education of Arabic to cope with technical developments and the international diversity in the fields of work, whether in education, media, courts, etc. He stated: The new program of Arabic seeks to disseminate theoretical and applied linguistic knowledge within an educational system characterized by integration, development and openness. It also aims at preparing specialists in applied Arabic language studies, equipped with sufficient communicative skills and qualified enough to apply this knowledge and experience in the fields of research and all fields of work that require the employment of applied Arabic and its techniques. In addition, the program tries to consolidate the values of belonging, develop critical thinking skills, self-learning, teamwork by focusing on the four language skills: Reading, writing, speaking and listening.
With regard to the fields of work available to graduates of this major, Al-Anqra pointed out that they include working as a teacher of the Arabic language, in addition to proofreading, linguistic editing, and presenting radio and television programs.
The preparation of scientific competencies in various fields of knowledge, and the production of innovative scientific research aims to serve society by providing exemplary education in an intellectually stimulating university environment.
