Middle East University recently hosted a panel discussion entitled “Violence and its impact on the university and tribal environment”, featuring the advisor to His Majesty the King for tribal affairs, Pasha Kineian Al-Balawi. The event was attended by the chairman of the university’s board of trustees, Dr. Yacoub Nasereddin, and the president of the university, Professor Salam Al-Mahadin, alongside various members of parliament, subject-matter experts, and representatives of the local community.
This session was conducted within the framework of the university’s commitment to its national and educational mandate, seeking to foster a culture of constructive dialogue and to consolidate a secure academic environment founded upon mutual respect. Such efforts align with the university’s mission to cultivate informed students capable of contributing positively to society and rejecting all forms of violence or deleterious behaviour within the campus.
During the proceedings, which were moderated by the dean of student affairs, Dr. Hazem Al-Nsour, Pasha Al-Balawi asserted that the phenomenon of university violence is inseparable from intellectual and behavioural accumulations that possess deep social and cultural dimensions. He explained that the university represents a pivotal juncture in shaping the consciousness of the youth and establishing a robust concept of national belonging predicated on the rule of law, respect for others, and the acceptance of pluralism. He further clarified that authentic Jordanian tribal values are rooted in wisdom, tolerance, and the regulation of disputes and are entirely antithetical to manifestations of chaos or aggression. He noted that Jordanian tribes have historically been, and remain, a fundamental pillar of national stability and an active partner in strengthening social peace and state cohesion.
Furthermore, the chairman of the board of trustees, Dr. Yacoub Nasereddin, stated that addressing this phenomenon requires the enhancement of a culture of dialogue and openness within academic institutions, as well as the provision of safe spaces for students to express their views through civilised channels. He emphasised that genuine investment lies in the development of conscious individuals capable of protecting themselves and their nation from a descent into violence or fanaticism.
The session featured an extensive discussion with students, addressing the causes of university violence and its repercussions on the educational process and the social fabric, whilst proposing practical visions for prevention. Concurrently, Pasha Al-Balawi, accompanied by several attendees, visited the House of Art exhibition, which contained dozens of artistic and national paintings depicting various stages of the history of the Hashemite family.