The Council of Deans of Jordan University of Science and Technology, chaired by the university's president, Professor Dr Khaled Al-Salem, has decided to introduce compulsory courses with specialised, sustained educational and awareness content on countering terrorism, intellectual extremism and takfiri thinking. The university becomes the first in Jordan to adopt this step within its study plans.
اضافة اعلان
Al-Salem said the creation of these courses reflects an institutional direction that shows the university believes its educational mission goes beyond preparing scientific and professional expertise, to building aware and enlightened individuals. He said the decision puts into practice the national values emphasised in the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II ibn Al Hussein and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Al-Hussein bin Abdullah II, aimed at building a cohesive society, entrenching a culture of dialogue and acceptance of others, and rejecting all forms of extremism.
Al-Salem added that strengthening young people's minds and their intellectual resilience is a shared national responsibility, in which educational institutions play a central role. This is done by providing an academic environment that entrenches a culture of moderation, centrism, tolerance and acceptance of others, and promotes dialogue, openness and respect for diversity, to prepare a generation aware of its country's issues and able to meet contemporary intellectual challenges.
The Council of Deans also stressed the importance of preparing the scientific content of these courses in cooperation with specialised national bodies, experts and specialists, in line with prevailing legislation and approved academic standards. This is to ensure rigorous scientific content that combines academic knowledge with practical awareness and responds to the intellectual challenges facing young people.
The courses aim to develop students' intellectual awareness and inform them of the dangers of extremist thinking and its effects on the individual and society. They also seek to strengthen analytical, critical thinking and constructive dialogue skills, alongside entrenching the values of citizenship, belonging, moderation, tolerance and respect for diversity, contributing to a university environment that is intellectually safe and based on openness and respect for differing opinions.
Source: Al-Ghad.
