Jordan’s House of Representatives will hold a legislative session on Tuesday to discuss the Education Committee’s recommendation on the draft amendments to the Jordanian Universities Law of 2026.
The Council of Ministers approved the draft legislation on May 24, aiming to align university regulations with Jordan’s institutional reforms and recent legislative changes in the education sector, particularly the establishment of the Ministry of Education and Human Resource Development, which officially succeeded the former Ministries of Education and Higher Education and Scientific Research.
The proposed law is considered a key legislative framework governing higher education institutions. It is designed to complement the recently approved Education and Human Resource Development Law, with the goal of improving the quality of education, enhancing graduate outcomes, strengthening universities’ role in economic and social development, and enabling institutions to adapt to global changes.
Among the most significant amendments is reducing the number of members on the boards of trustees of both public and private universities from 13 to 9, a move intended to improve decision-making efficiency, strengthen governance, and clarify institutional responsibilities.
The bill also revises the appointment process for presidents of public universities. Under the proposed changes, each university’s board of trustees would recommend a candidate to the Higher Education Council, which would then submit its recommendation to the Prime Minister, reinforcing the role of university boards in the selection process.
In addition, the draft law expands its scope to cover all higher education institutions, including university colleges and community colleges. The current Universities Law does not comprehensively regulate these institutions, despite their important role in preparing technical and vocational professionals, meeting labor market needs, and supporting post-secondary education.
The amendments are part of Jordan’s broader efforts to modernize the public sector, improve higher education quality, strengthen links between education and the labor market, and align national legislation with international best practices in higher education governance.
The appointment mechanism for presidents of private universities remains unchanged. Their boards of trustees will continue to nominate candidates, who will be appointed by the Higher Education Council.
Parliamentary Committees
Following the legislative session, the Parliamentary Legal Committee will discuss the draft amendments to the Real Estate Ownership Law of 2026, with approval expected during the meeting.
The proposed amendments would empower the Department of Lands and Survey to study the real estate market and issue reports and data based on the collection and analysis of property information, providing clear market indicators and supporting faster responses to market developments.
The bill also aims to accelerate the department’s digital transformation by expanding the use of electronic transactions and digital signatures for contracts and certifications, enabling online submission of applications, issuance of official documents, electronic notifications, and the use of electronic payment systems.
