The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Wajih Owais, patronized the opening of the "Future of Medical Education in Jordan" workshop, which was organized by the Faculty of Medicine at Yarmouk University, in the presence of the Minister of Health, Dr. Firas al-Hawari, and the University President, Professor Islam Massad. During his opening speech, Owais stated that higher education in Jordan emphasizes several factors, i.e. education outputs, preparing graduates for the market requirements, finding resources of funding, and developing the process of distance and technical education. He also declared that the increase in the number of admissions in medical specialties is attributed to students’ high grades and the societal rush to study medicine, pointing out that it is necessary to carefully watch the outputs of medicine education as such a profession is related to people’s life. Stating that the number of students in the medical faculties inside Jordan is about 19,000, he underlined the need to work on organizing students’ admission policies in the near future to maintain a high level of graduates.

In his turn, Massad welcomed the attendees and participants of the workshop at Yarmouk University, pointing out that this workshop brings together decision-makers from the executive authority represented by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Ministry of Health, and the legislative authority represented by the Health and Education Committees of the parliament and the house of Senates, the Higher Education Accreditation Commission, as well as the presidents of Jordanian universities that include medical faculties. He added that this workshop is an opportunity to move forward towards national goals and visions. Massad pointed out that the future of medical education in Jordan requires much work, research, and effective dialogue to reach certain recommendations that may lead to effective decisions.

For his part, the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Khaldoun al-Bashaira, confirmed that the rapid changes in the field of medical education have led to a major change in the curricula of medical faculties in the world.  He then said that due to the Corona pandemic, it became clear that it is necessary to have a strong health care system, pointing out that Jordan has been one of the most successful countries in securing its citizens against the virus.  He finally stressed the permanent need for a periodic, participatory review among Jordanian medical faculties, universities, and other national institutions to develop the health sector as well as medicine education.

On the sidelines of the opening, a lecture entitled "The Reality and Challenges of Medical Education in Jordan" was presented by Dr. Nidal Younes and another lecture entitled "The Future of Medical Education" was presented by Dr. Ismail Matalka. However, the inauguration was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Hashemite University, Dr. Yassin Al-Hasban, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Yarmouk University, Dr. Khaled Al-Omari, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mutah University, Dr. Yousef Al-Qusous, the President of the University of Jordan, Dr. Nathir Obeidat, the President of Jordan University of Science and Technology, Dr. Khaled Al-Salem, the President of the Hashemite University, Dr. Fawaz Abd Al-Haq, the President of Mutah University Dr. Arafat Awajan, the President of the Commission for Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions and Quality Assurance, Dr. Dhafer Al-Sarayrah, Yarmouk Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Muwaffaq Omoush, a number of deans of the faculties at the university, and deans of the medical faculties in Jordanian universities.