The team of the Faculty of Law at Yarmouk University has qualified for the tenth Arab Moot Court Competition in the sisterly State of Kuwait and will represent the Kingdom in this Arab student competition next March. The team includes the students: Hiraa Shaaban, Islam Al-Moumani, Sarah Al-Asmar, and Nola Al-Hallaj, and the supervisors: Dr. Wassef Al-Zboun, Dr. Alaa Darawsheh, and Dr. Diala Al-Ta’ani. The team qualified after ranking first in the national moot court qualifiers organized by the Kuwait International College of Law at the level of Jordanian universities.
Interestingly, the national competition between Jordanian universities focused on presenting a case that stimulate the current Palestinian reality before the International Criminal Court by showcasing the daily attacks of Israeli occupation forces on defenseless Palestinian people in Gaza Strip and other safe areas. Thus, Yarmouk’s team was able to present a plea that required changing the way the Palestinian legal right is presented before the international judiciary in form of the presence of a party that proves, with evidence, laws, international conventions and agreements, international criminal charges against the accused state before the International Criminal Court.
Yarmouk University achieved outstanding results in QS World University Rankings of Sustainability 2024, which measures the extent of the ability of global universities to achieve sustainable development goals, as Yarmouk ranked 741-750 in the world, 209 in Asia, and the third at the local level. The ranking includes three main axes: environmental impact, social impact, and governance, each of which has specific performance indicators. The University made progress in the ranking it achieved this year, as it ranked 733 in the world in the environmental impact axis, which consists of three indicators, most prominent of which is the Sustainability Environmental Index, in which the University ranked 265 in the world. Also, the University ranked 303 in the world in the Knowledge Exchange index within the Social Impact axis, which consists of 5 indicators. It also ranked 347 globally in the Governance axis.
The University President, Professor Islam Massad, said that Yarmouk University, as a leading national institution, is keen to play its role in serving the nation and achieving sustainable development goals for the benefit of Jordan, especially in light of the global interest in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were approved by the United Nations in 2015. He explained that this represented a culmination of the expected role of universities in leading the comprehensive implementation of the axes of sustainable development and achieving its goals, pointing out that this global classification is concerned with assessing the extent of universities’ commitment to achieving the goals of sustainable development. Massad then expressed his thanks and appreciation to the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Center at the University for preparing and following-up the processes of applying for this classification and other international classifications, stressing that Yarmouk advances through the efforts of its distinguished academic and administrative cadres.
*The update allows the development of web programs compatible to work on smart phone devices
*Redesigning, developing, and programming student information system according to the latest technologies that take into account user experience
*The registration process for the second semester 2023/2024 was carried out using the new system
Based on Yarmouk University’s efforts and keenness to modernize and develop the technology of its various systems, the Computer and Information Center completed an update to the software infrastructure of Oracle’s systems operating on the Internet, moving from the version (APEX 4.1) that was installed in the year 2006 to the version (APEX 23.2). the new version is the latest and most advanced version from Oracle, which allows the development of web-compatible programs to work on smart phone devices and provides the automatic ability to extract, analyze, and display data using visual tools.
The center's director, Dr. Mohammad Al-Zamil, said that this update included changing the composition of the systems' servers to add a new level (ORDS 23.1) that supports dealing with big data and sharing it through (REST API). He continued: As a result of this update, five systems were launched in their updated versions on the new environment, pointing out that the registration process for the second semester 2023/2024 was done using the new system. Al-Zamil indicated that a group of new services will be added to the system successively to suit the academic needs of students, noting that the new environment provides the possibility of downloading the program in form of an application on smart phones, which will be launched soon. He then explained that the councils’ system, which is used by the Board of Trustees, the Council of Deans, and Faculty councils, has been updated for each of Al-Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology and the Faculty of Educational Sciences in cooperation with the Councils Secretariat Department. The model school system, which includes the student system and the faculty member system, was also updated in cooperation with the Model school. Furthermore, a new program for the Arab Digital Library was established in cooperation with Al-Hussein Bin Talal Library at the University. Finally, Al-Zamil confirmed that the Computer and Information Center is launching a set of new systems covering a group of major procedural processes at the University in cooperation with the Accreditation and Quality Assurance Center, the Language Center, Queen Rania Center for Jordanian Studies and Community Service, the Councils Secretariat Department, and the Finance Department, stressing that these systems will support the management of Strategic and executive plans, a special platform for financial services provided by the University centers and departments, and three platforms for enhanced academic procedures for students and faculty members.
The President of Yarmouk University, Professor Islam Massad, and the President of the Jordanian Women's Union Association, Amna Al-Zoubi, signed a memorandum of understanding with the aim of consolidating and framing cooperation between the two sides in the field of exchanging experiences, academic studies, and training and awareness programs concerned with women.
Massad stressed that the signing of the memorandum of understanding comes within the context of Yarmouk University’s vision and its societal responsibility in consolidating cooperation with various national institutions and bodies concerned with women, society, and youth. He then indicated that the memo represents a new framework for exchanging experiences, studies, training and awareness programs with the Jordanian Women’s Union Association. He then added that the establishment of Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies at Yarmouk University came with the aim of involving women of the local community in the public and private sectors with women in the academic sector, which enhances and reflects the achievements of Jordanian women and their effective contribution to serving their community and country.
In return, Al-Zoubi stressed the importance of cooperation with a leading academic institution like Yarmouk University, which has been keen since its early beginnings to carry out societal responsibility, noting the Union’s aspiration to implement a number of joint programs and activities related to Jordanian women and their progress in cooperation with Yarmouk. She appreciated the efforts of Yarmouk University and its support of Jordanian women's issues as well as the University’s openness and constant keenness to communicate with civil society institutions and exchange experiences with them in a way that serves the Jordanian society.
The memo signing was attended by the University’s Vice Presidents, Professor Mousa Rababah and Professor Samer Samarah, the Director of Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies, Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, and the Director of Public Relations and Media, Dr. Nawzat Abu Al-Asal.
The Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies at Yarmouk University, in partnership with the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in Jordan, launched a message of solidarity with the women and children of Gaza, which came in form of a video released by the University and the Federation through their official accounts on social media sites. The message contained in the video carried a group of solidarity telegrams in which members of the teaching and administrative staff, students of the Model School of Yarmouk University, and women figures from the local community expressed the importance of paying attention to women and children and supporting them against any type of aggression.
The University President, Professor Islam Massad, said that Yarmouk University released the video to express the voice of its students and staff rejecting the aggression against humans, which indicates that Yarmouk seeks, through its partners, to build an integrated system of qualitative efforts to support people in Gaza using all available media and academic capabilities and tools. He also stressed the importance of creating media messages through social media to deepen young people’s understanding of the Palestinian issue and the distinguished Jordanian role towards Palestine, a role led by His Majesty the King and His Highness the Crown Prince. Furthermore, Massad appreciated the efforts of the University’s Faculties and Scientific Centers to represent the Jordanian women and enhance their role in supporting their sisters in Palestine.
Director of Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women's Studies, Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen, said that social networking sites have become an essential part of our daily lives, and they must be used to deliver humanitarian and social messages. She added that the Center seeks to enhance women's intellectual contributions to solving national, regional, and international issues, in addition to contributing to formulating a more positive national discourse towards women and their issues.
It is noteworthy here that the LWF – Jordan founded in 1947 is an independent, humanitarian, non-profit, and non-governmental organization, registered with the Ministry of Social Development. It works to provide assistance, protection, and permanent solutions to refugees around the world, and to provide awareness-raising training programs that contribute to the development of social welfare by organizing psychological and social support activities.
The Vice President of Yarmouk University for Academic Affairs, Professor Mousa Rababah, met with Leticia Barb, the plenipotentiary director of the French Institute at the French Embassy in Amman, accompanied by Loris Vivarelli, Charge d'Affairs for French Language and Francophonie at the French Embassy, to discuss ways of cooperation between the two sides. Rababah stressed Yarmouk University’s interest in strengthening its cooperation with the French Cultural Institute, which may reflect positively on the educational process in the field of the French language. He also pointed out that Yarmouk offers language packages, including French, for various university students so that they can compete in the labor market and complete their graduate studies in various countries. Moreover, he emphasized that the Language Center at Yarmouk University serves as a gateway for Yarmouk University to all countries of the world, as it hosts many students of different nationalities, calling on the French Cultural Institute to cooperate with the Language Center and support its executive procedures aiming at accrediting the Language Center at Yarmouk University as an accredited center for holding French language exams (DELF). He also suggested that the cooperation may involve sending a number of fellow lecturers to teach the French language and its various skills in the Modern Languages Department.
In return, Barb praised the distinguished scientific reputation of Yarmouk University and its Language Center, noting that Yarmouk University’s offering of language packages is considered a pioneering step towards developing students’ abilities and skills in using international languages, including French. She then affirmed the French Cultural Institute's endeavor to cooperate with the Language Center in order to carry out all necessary executive procedures of accrediting the Language Center as an accredited center for holding French language exams, which shall make it easier for students and people to take the DELF exam.
Her Excellency Nofa Bint Nasser, in the presence of the President of Yarmouk University, Professor Islam Massad, sponsored the dialogue session entitled “Palestinian Women: A Story of Resilience,” which was organized by the University at Arar Amphitheater in the Conferences and Seminars Building. The session began with the reading of Surat Al-Fatihah for the souls of the martyrs of Jordan, Palestine, and the Arab and Islamic nations. Then Sharifa Nofa started her opening speech where she said: “When we talk about the stories of women’s steadfastness on the beloved land of Palestine in general, the Gaza Strip in particular, we are proud of the Palestinian woman of Gaza viewing her as an icon of resistance and liberation, who painted with her pure blood the mural of victory, honor, pride and national steadfastness. She is that woman who engraved a legend of victory and resistance at the gates of Gaza and raised the banners of return and pride on the walls of Jerusalem. She is the one who composed the immortal song of victory over the land of Gaza with the ink of her soul, and lit the lamps of steadfastness and sacrifice carried by the angels of Gaza”.
Sharifa Nofa reviewed images of the glory of the Gazan Palestinian woman, the maker of men, the revolution, and the national struggle, who contributed to building the Palestinian state. She emphasized that such a woman is a symbol and model of giving, sacrifice, and redemption, pointing to the unprecedented state that the Gazan Palestinian woman represents with her steadfastness on the ground. She also pointed to the Jordanian woman’s stand with her sister in Gaza, supporting her steadfastness and healing her wounds, stressing that the voice of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah is still resounding in the global conscience to stop the Zionist criminal war machine. She also pointed to Princess Salma bint Abdullah II who accompanied a crew from the armed forces in the fifth airdrop of urgent medical materials and supplies, so that the Jordanian hospital in Gaza can continue providing all types of treatment and supplies necessary to the people of Gaza after the Zionist enemy destroyed all the hospitals operating in Gaza.
For his part, Massad stressed that holding this specific dialogue session is part of a series of Yarmouk University activities supporting the steadfastness of our people in the Gaza Strip, mentioning that those people are encountering the Israeli war machine that continues committing crimes against innocent people, civilians, hospitals, places of worship, and everything related to human life. He then added that the symposium is distinguished by its emphasis on the role of the Palestinian woman in defending justice, righteousness, and truth. Massad also pointed out that Jordanians are proud in the steadfastness of the Palestinian woman as well as the positions of His Majesty King Abdullah II, who is leading an intense political, diplomatic, and humanitarian movement to pressure Israel to stop the war on Gaza and allow the delivery of humanitarian aid and food supplies in a sustainable manner. He also praised the positions of Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah in supporting the Palestinian people against the Israeli enemy. Moreover, Massad expressed his pride in Her Highness Princess Salma bint Abdullah II for participating with the Royal Air Force in the fifth airdrop of urgent medical materials and supplies for the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza.
However, the session included a video showing the sacrifices and struggles of Palestinian women, prepared by students of the Palestinian community in the International Student Care Department in the Deanship of Student Affairs. On a related level, students Raghad Azoum, Dima Abu Obaid and Sally Youssef, female students of the Palestinian community studying at Yarmouk, participated in a session moderated by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Yara Al-Nimri, where they confirmed the strength of the Palestinian woman in Gaza by recounting some of the stories of those women’s steadfastness and resistance.
On the sidelines of the session, an art exhibition of drawings about Gaza and the suffering of its people and the blatant aggression they are subjected to was held, considering that this dialogue session was jointly organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs, the Refugees, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration Studies Center, and the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies.
The Faculty of Mass Communication at Yarmouk University, in front of the Faculty building, carried out a silent solidarity stand condemning the Israeli occupation’s aggression against the Gaza Strip and its targeting of Palestinian journalists and civilians. The stand was attended by the Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Amjad Al-Qadi, and a number of faculty and administrative staff members and students.
A faculty member in the Department of Journalism and Digital Media, Dr. Zuhair Al-Tahat, said that this stand expresses Jordanians’ solidarity and standing with “our beloved Palestine and the Hashemite leadership and its wise directives.” He then considered that targeting journalists is an attack against the freedom of speech, expressing his pride in the positions of His Majesty the King concerning the need to protect journalism and supporting it to convey the resounding voice of truth. Al-Tahat also pointed out that the Faculty of Mass Communication at Yarmouk University always stands with journalists and their issues relying on its lofty values and mission.
On behalf of the President of Yarmouk University, the Director of the Language Center, Dr. Rana Qandil, sponsored the awareness training workshop organized by the Center in cooperation with the West Irbid Civil Defense Directorate, for international students studying in the program of teaching Arabic to speakers of other languages, on first aid and public safety. The workshop supervised by Dr. Rejan Obaidat from the Center covered topics related to first aid, emergency rescue, evacuation in the event of earthquakes, and extinguishing fires.
During the training, Agent Haneen Al-Jarrah provided a detailed explanation in Arabic and English about the procedures necessary to open the airway in cases of suffocation when it is blocked due to swallowing the tongue, food entering the bronchi, or swallowing a weird body. She also presented the mechanism for dealing with different cases including adults, children, pregnant women, and obese people.
The workshop also discussed how to perform artificial respiration and cardiac resuscitation in a number of cases, such as drowning cases. It also included practical applications of various ambulance cases performed on dolls for adults and children. In addition, an explanatory presentation was provided for all cases using a set of videos. The workshop also included evacuation operations, as Sergeant Ahmed Bani Yassin trained the students on how to conduct evacuation in the event of earthquakes or fires, in addition to providing a detailed explanation of the parts of a fire extinguisher and how to use them to put out a fire from its beginning.
Finally, students got involved in certain exercises of how to extinguish fires, and a set of awareness leaflets and guides for dealing with emergency situations in terms of preparedness and prevention were distributed.
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