Jordanian Universities Ordered to Draft Financial Plans Amid Economic Reforms

Alanbatnews -

Jordan's Minister of Higher Education has directed public universities to urgently formulate financial plans for the period 2026-2029, aligning with the Kingdom's economic modernization vision.

Minister Azmi Mahafzah emphasized the need for these plans to include specific measures, timelines, and performance indicators to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of each university's progress.

The minister's directive came during a meeting with the heads of Jordanian public universities, where recent government decisions impacting the higher education sector were discussed.

These decisions include the government covering 50% of the universities' outstanding dues to the Social Security Corporation over the next three years, and waiving debts owed to the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Commission.

However, these benefits are contingent upon universities taking concrete steps to address the issue of stagnant and saturated academic specializations.

This includes phasing out admissions to programs with low demand or poor alignment with labor market needs, restructuring and updating curricula, and transforming programs into specialized or applied tracks.

Mahafzah also stressed the importance of developing faculty capabilities to enhance employment opportunities and provide the national economy with qualified personnel.

Furthermore, the minister underscored the need for universities to consistently pay their monthly contributions to the Social Security Corporation and to obtain prior approval from the Prime Minister for all administrative appointments.

During the meeting, Minister Mahafzah also addressed the royal directives aimed at uniting national efforts to protect the nation's youth from the scourge of drugs, urging university presidents to monitor the implementation of their respective counter-narcotics strategies.