“Nation building requires diligence and commitment; the citizen is the foundation of the nation’s strength.”
Middle East University hosted former Prime Minister Dr. Abdul Raouf Al-Rawabdeh during the “Middle East Dialogues” event titled “Abdul Raouf Al-Rawabdeh… My Journey”. The event was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Dr. Yacoub Nasereddin; the University President, Professor Salam Al-Mahadin; the Vice President, Prof. Ahmad Al-Louzi; Member of Parliament, Prof. Tamara Nasereddin; and former Minister of Labour, Dr. Nadia Al-Rawabdeh, alongside members of the university’s academic and administrative staff.
In his address, Dr. Nasereddin commended Al-Rawabdeh’s career, describing it as an inspiring model of leadership and knowledge. He asserted that recalling the past is a necessity for interpreting the present and building the future, noting that Al-Rawabdeh represents a national school of thought rich in experiences worthy of reflection and study.
During the discussion, which was moderated by the media figure and member of the Faculty of Media, Prof. Hani Al-Badri, Al-Rawabdeh expressed his delight at meeting the university students, affirming his pride in the university’s role in consolidating the values of national dialogue.
Al-Rawabdeh also reviewed pivotal milestones in his professional and political career, as well as his extensive experience in public service, addressing the most prominent challenges and achievements that marked his tenure in various leadership positions. He offered profound analytical insights based on his long service in state institutions, emphasising that his journey was founded on diligence, seriousness, and the continuous pursuit of knowledge from his upbringing through to his service in various state roles. He also stressed the constants of the Jordanian approach to governance and administration and the importance of instilling values of belonging, moderation, and responsibility in the conscience of future generations.
Al-Rawabdeh highlighted the importance of science and investing in education as the most successful path to nation-building. He noted that national responsibility begins with the individual’s awareness of their role, realising that public office is not a personal privilege but a duty to serve the nation and its citizens. He added that the quest for knowledge represents the cornerstone of state progress and the development of individuals capable of influence and innovation.
Furthermore, he stressed that the citizen is the foundation of the nation’s strength and that investment in knowledge is the primary route to bolstering this strength. He pointed out that whilst disagreement with governments is natural, the State remains the constant that must be preserved and its stability maintained. He also alluded to the importance of protecting the nation and upholding its identity as an integral, shared responsibility.
At the conclusion of the session, an extensive discussion took place between Al-Rawabdeh and the students, covering a range of prominent issues in the Jordanian domestic arena, as well as topics concerning youth and their role in shaping the future. The students expressed their appreciation for the rich experience shared by Al-Rawabdeh and the value gained from his vision and inspiring expertise.