UJ expected to interview 15 presidency candidates

AMMAN – A total of 75 people have so far applied to fill the position of president of the University of Jordan (UJ), with the majority serving as UJ professors, according to an informed source. 

In remarks made to the UJ radio station, Adnan Badran, chairman of the university board of trustees and head of the committee entrusted to select a new principal, noted that the deadline for receiving applications will end within few days. 

He added that the applicants will be chosen according to specific criteria related to their managerial abilities and contribution to scientific research. 

“The panel has put 20 questions that tackle challenges facing the university, especially its financial problems, and ways to address them,” Badran highlighted. 

He expected 15 applicants to reach the interview stage.  

Mid last month, the Higher Education Council (HEC) decided not to renew Ekhleif Tarawneh’s presidency at UJ for a second term, amid

student protests against a decision by their university’s administration to raise tuition fees for the parallel and post-graduate programmes.

On the other hand, Badran underlined the need for universities’ boards to elect presidents instead
of the HEC.

“Universities have lost their independence after the establishment of the council, particularly by withdrawing the authority of universities’ boards to appoint presidents and specify the number of students enrolled in universities,” he said.