Zarqa, May 6 (Petra) -- President of Hashemite University Khaled Hyari said the university and Zarqa governorate were filled with pride and joy following a meeting between His Majesty King Abdullah II and residents at the university on Tuesday, in a scene reflecting the deep bond between the Hashemite leadership and citizens.

Hyari told the Jordan News Agency (Petra) on Wednesday that the royal meeting marked a bright milestone and a strong incentive for further achievement at the university, carrying messages of support and encouragement for launching more national initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and innovation and establish active business incubators. He said such efforts would strengthen students’ sense of belonging and loyalty while opening broad horizons for creativity and participation in nation-building.

He praised the royal directives that placed special focus on university students by facilitating their mobility and supporting the health, education, youth, and women’s sectors, as well as development and industrial zones. He added that the comprehensive royal vision reflects a continued commitment to stimulating economic growth, improving the business environment, and enabling investment.

Hyari said the university, with its academic and national mission, would remain an active partner in this process by advancing its academic and research programs and preparing generations capable of keeping pace with modern challenges and contributing to national progress.

He noted that the royal meeting included directives benefiting both students and the local community, which would positively impact more than 30,000 students by easing their daily commute and addressing a long-standing issue. He said the king directed the government to establish a bus rapid transit link connecting Zarqa city with the university, facilitating student transport and strengthening modern infrastructure. He praised the step as one that would shorten travel times and make journeys safer and more efficient, ensuring timely arrival, especially for morning lectures.

He added that improving the university’s transport system would enhance education and research, raise student satisfaction and improve academic outcomes, reflecting a comprehensive strategic vision aimed at serving citizens and supporting education and scientific research in Jordan.

Hyari also welcomed His Majesty's meeting with residents of Zarqa governorate, which he said carried promising news of vital economic and development projects, including the establishment of a green industrial city set to be the largest in Jordan, strengthening the kingdom’s position in sustainable industry. He also pointed to directives to establish a comprehensive health center in Zarqa to ease pressure on healthcare services and improve service quality.

He highlighted the university’s three-decade journey, noting it now comprises 17 faculties with around 30,000 students and benefits from its location in Zarqa, a key industrial and commercial hub, as well as its proximity to the new industrial city. He said the university is implementing an ambitious strategic plan aligned with royal directives and the Economic Modernization Vision to develop technical education.

Hyari said the university has established a specialized technical faculty and introduced a range of technical diploma programs, along with new majors aligned with future skills and advances in science and technology. He added that comprehensive updates to study plans and the integration of artificial intelligence tools into the learning process have helped advance scientific research through modern analytical tools supporting researchers and students.

He also highlighted the university’s role in supporting the healthcare sector in Zarqa, which has a population of about 1.7 million, or 14.3% of Jordan’s population, by providing specialist doctors at Zarqa Government Hospital across various fields and performing advanced medical procedures. He referred to a university project to build a clinical dentistry facility with a capacity of 200 dental units over an area of around 11,000 square meters, serving as an advanced training center for students and providing high-quality healthcare services to the local community. The project has reached around 20% completion.

//Petra// AF