The Secretary-General of the Jordanian National Commission for Women, Ms. Maha Ali, patronised a Ramadan Iftar hosted by Middle East University (MEU) in honour of the Women and Leadership in Higher Education Network.
Set against the spiritual backdrop of the holy month, the gathering was attended by the president of the university, Professor Salam Al-Mahadin, alongside prominent national figures dedicated to women’s affairs, faculty members, and heads of women’s studies centres. Furthermore, the guest list featured a significant cohort of female doctoral students and alumnae, representing the next generation of Jordanian academia.
Addressing the assembly, Professor Al-Mahadin reaffirmed the university’s dedication to the principles of justice and equal opportunity. In particular, she noted that women now make up approximately 50% of the university’s academic staff—a figure she highlighted as a tangible reflection of an institutional culture designed to empower women across both academic and administrative tiers.
Building upon this theme, Ms. Maha Ali underscored the vital role universities and research centres play in bolstering national efforts toward female empowerment. Nevertheless, she remained candid regarding the hurdles that persist, calling for targeted institutional policies to address the challenges women face in reaching senior academic ranks. To this end, she emphasised the necessity of fostering career sustainability and structural fairness within the higher education career path.
In a fitting conclusion to the evening, the meeting featured a review of the network’s recent milestones and a ceremony to honour those who have contributed to its success. Ultimately, the gathering served as a firm signal of a shared commitment to elevating female leadership and expanding its influence across the wider education landscape.