The Director of the Department of Public Relations and Media at Yarmouk University, Mr. Mukhles Al-Ebbini, announced the publication of the 12th issue of Yarmouk Newsletter electronically. Pointing out that publishing this issue embodies the department's keenness to continue communicating with the community, Al-Ebbini mentioned that the 12th issue celebrates the university's achievements at the academic, scientific and administrative levels during the Coronavirus-based hardships of the university as well as the entire nation. Al-Ebbini then stated that issuing the newsletter electronically reduces the expenses of printing and that it should make the Newsletter accessible for a broader audience from inside and outside the university.
The President of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi, stated that the speech of His Majesty King Abdullah II, which he addressed today to Jordanians, inspires people with hope, determination, and confidence that our country will overcome this delicate circumstance that is spreading all over the world. Kafafi emphasized that since the beginning of the Corona pandemic, which caused the disruption of work and study and overwhelmed all aspects and forms of life, His Majesty's communication with Jordanians has been consistent and continuous, and it shows the King's personal involvement in fighting against the pandemic, as evident in His Majesty's activities, orders, and visits to all institutions involved in this issue. His Majesty, as Kafafi acknowledged, has always been keen to direct the government to take all measures aiming to protect citizens and provide them with their needs and necessities of daily life. Kafafi also stressed that Yarmouk University will continue to present its programs through the platforms of e-learning and that it will continue supporting students in every possible means until the routine of life returns, considering that his Majesty's speech represents a leap forward and a catalyst for every citizen to make more commitment to the interests of our dear country.
The President of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi, stressed that Yarmouk University as a national educational institution seeks to support the government's efforts to implementing preventive measures aimed at reducing the spread of the Corona virus and that the university appreciates the great efforts made by our armed forces, security agencies, and all health sector cadres that cooperate to maintain the security, health, and safety of citizens, under the guidance and active care of the country's leader, His Majesty King Abdullah II.
He added that Yarmouk, based on the decisions of the Higher Education Council, continues activating its system of distance education and providing its students with the required logistics for free. Kafafi emphasized that YU will take all measures to ensure the continuation of the educational process for the second semester effectively. Also, he explained that the university confirms the cancellation of all students' exams during the curfew period, including the mid-term exams. Then he pointed out that the university is waiting for the decision of the Council of Higher Education regarding the possibility of extending the current second semester as well as the related other related issues. Regarding graduate students, he said that the university is working hard to come up with the most efficient decisions regarding the comprehensive and final examinations period, the dates of Masters' theses discussion, and the methodology of discussion.
Preparing students for the GRE English test, which enables them to complete their postgraduate studies at prestigious US universities, Yarmouk University created a free online platform (https://BeEnglishReady.net/) for Arabic-speaking students. The university president, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi, expressed his pride in the university cadre for this great achievement, indicating that this platform represents the first real partnership within the US-Jordanian University Cooperation Network run by the US embassy in Amman. In his turn, the Director of the Department of International Relations and Projects, the Project Coordinator, Dr. Mwaffaq Otoom, explained that this platform, which is sponsored by the US Embassy in Amman, is considered the first of its kind in the Arab World.
Following is the English translation of the King’s address to the nation on Friday:
“In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful,
Dear brothers and sisters,
My fellow Jordanians,
Peace, God's mercy and blessings be upon you,
I am not speaking to you today to give advice or directives, but to tell you that you have proven, as always, that you are giants among nations. Giants because you stand tall and strong in the face of adversity, not because of your resources or material wealth, but with your resolve and your unity, standing as one to protect the homeland and its people — our most precious asset.
I am always asked, why do you stand with confidence among nations when you come from a small country with limited resources? And I say, I stand confident, strong, and proud, because I am in the company of a great, prideful people, who stand united with their army and security agencies, who support their state institutions, and who work tenaciously and professionally and sacrifice bravely.
Let me tell you, you are giants because you achieve great things in the toughest circumstances. For you, nothing is impossible. You are giants because you are a testament to true sacrifice and selflessness. You are giants because you live in a nation that places human dignity above all else. Indeed, these are the Jordanians I know and proudly speak of to the world, fully confident in my people.
Yes, my family, my source of fortitude, we will overcome these conditions, God willing. Because Jordanians show their true mettle in the face of hardship; because you are determined and resolute; because you are up to the responsibility; because belonging to this nation and standing by the state and its institutions is what you do; and because you believe that in solidarity lies strength and a better future; we shall, God willing, overcome all challenges. Yes, soon, prayers will be held in mosques and churches, streets and markets will be bustling, workers will return to their factories, employees will return to their offices, and our sons and daughters, the students, will head to their schools and universities every morning. Soon, this will become a reality. This, too, shall pass, God willing.
I wish you all health and wellbeing, for ‘God is best at guarding, and He is the Most Merciful of merciful ones’.
The Director of the Department of Public Relations and Media, the Official Spokesman of Yarmouk University, Mr. Mukhles Al-Abini confirmed that the university, under the exceptional circumstances of Corona virus, is working through its various departments and human cadres to continue professional planning and achievements.He declared that in accordance with the instructions articulated by the President of the University, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi, Yarmouk University sets the safety of its students at the top of its priorities, whether they are Jordanians or expatriates, including those of cultural exchange programs.
In this regard, the Director of the Department of International Relations and Projects, Dr. Muwaffaq Al-Otoom, indicated that based on the university's comprehensive plan to deal with this Corona-crisis-based conditions and under the direct guidance of the President of the University Prof. Zeidan Kafafi, the Department is following up with all students, especially those visiting the university within the international exchange programs, regarding their life conditions and concerns.
Al-Otoom added that YU is hosting 29 students from nine European countries through the Erasmus+ European program and 11 students from Turkey through the Turkish Mawlana program. The University, as he explained, is keeping contacting with those students through different means and is always observing their life conditions.
Focusing on the international activities of the University during the period of remote work caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Department of International Relations and Projects at YU launched an introductory video through its website (https://dirp.yu.edu.jo/) and its official account in Facebook (https://www.fb.com/InternationalYU). The Director of the Department of International Relations and Projects, Dr. Mwaffaq Otoom, said that the video included a summary of several activities including the development of the Dept.'s new website, the development of a free online platform for the GRE test, winning the INVENT international project funded by the German DAAD program, winning the third stage of the EDU Syria project that includes 25 full master scholarships for the university students, and winning a cultural exchange project with a Swedish university that includes the provision of 6 MA scholarships for a year.
Noteworthy that the Dept. of International Relations and Projects followed up the procedures of signing several international agreements, exchanging 29 students through (Erasmus and Mevlana) programs and accepting 12 international students coming to YU, monitoring several international projects run by the university remotely, and announcing several scholarships for students' exchange and nominations.
The President of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi, said that corresponding to Corona-Virus-Crisis, the university is doing its best to help its scholarship students all over the world and communicate with them constantly. He explained that faculties' deans have been advised to maintain communication with their students and be aware of their health, life, and academic conditions. Also, he emphasized that he himself asked the university deans to provide him with comprehensive and detailed reports about their scholarship students abroad.
Declaring that the Financial Department of Yarmouk University transferred the salaries of April to all its scholarship students on March 12th, Prof. Kafafi stressed that the salaries of May will be transferred to them soon. Contacting several scholarship students through social media and other visual communication means, Prof.Kafafi encouraged students to keep working towards their graduation and directed them to contact the Jordanian embassy in the country where they study. Then he asked them to keep following health instructions issued by the official authorities of their study countries.
In the same vein, the Director of the Department of Public Relations and Media, Mr. Mukhles Al-Abini communicated with several scholarship students of Yarmouk University as well as several Yarmouk professors working at different American and European universities. He conveyed to them the greetings of the university president and encouraged them to continue working for their noble goals under such emergent circumstances.
Aiming at opening horizons of exchange of experiences for the institutionalization of work between the two sides, Yarmouk University, represented by Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies, signed a memorandum of understanding with the National Committee for Women’s Affairs. Such an exchange will help implement the activities of the training program for members of elected councils in the North Region (governorate, municipal, and local councils) at Yarmouk University. The activities will be implemented in their first stage in partnership with the Hayvos Foundation –“Women Empowerment for Leadership Project in Trade and Professional Syndicates and Political Parties”.
Kafafi stressed that the committee’s officials and Yarmouk University, represented by Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies, are all keen to support and implement the goal of empowering, training, and refining women skills in order to qualify them to claiming leadership positions. This in return will contribute to their experiences and knowledge and will eventually contribute to the development of the Jordanian society and motivate Jordanian women in all regions of the Kingdom to strive for their own self-development. Also, he expressed the university's readiness to be the host for such a training program. Then he talked about the possibility of hosting participants in the program at Yarmouk University to promote a participatory approach and develop relationships with members of the local community, pointing out that serving the local community is one of the main goals of the university.
In turn, Shreddem thanked Yarmouk University for its permanent cooperation with the National Committee for Women’s Affairs, which seeks to promote the integration of gender equality measures through planning national policies and programs. She explained that the Committee adopts a gender equality mechanism in recognition of the importance of gender equality and women's empowerment in achieving national priorities. She then praised the great steps taken by Yarmouk University in the field of supporting women and enabling them to gain access to academic and administrative leadership positions at the university itself.
Noteworthy that this meeting was attended by Prof. Anis Khasawneh, Vice President of Administrative Affairs, the Director of Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women, Dr. Amna Khasawneh, and a number of university officials and officials from the National Committee for Women Affairs.
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.
