Over the past two decades, higher education in Jordan has undergone strategic transformations that have reshaped its structure, role, and academic standing locally, regionally and internationally. The focus has shifted from mere quantitative expansion through increasing the number of universities and students to a gradual emphasis on achieving a qualitative leap in the quality of education and scientific research. This has propelled Jordanian universities into a new era of competitiveness and institutional effectiveness. Jordan, now home to nearly forty public and private universities and higher education institutions, has succeeded in broadening university enrollment, providing ample educational opportunities, and attracting tens of thousands of Arab and international students. However, this expansion has also created a parallel challenge: the need to develop quality and raise the level of academic performance.

 

These qualitative efforts came within a national context witnessing a major transformation in the structure of the economy and knowledge. During the period 2023–2025, Jordan achieved remarkable progress in the Global Knowledge Index, reaching 73rd place out of 195 countries in 2025, maintaining its upward trajectory for the third consecutive year. This achievement reflects clear improvements in pre-university education, higher education, scientific research, innovation, and technological infrastructure. It is the result of implementing comprehensive modernisation plans within the framework of the economic modernisation vision, as well as strengthening the readiness of a knowledge-based economy.

 

At the university level, Jordanian academic institutions in both the public and private sectors have witnessed tangible progress in their presence on the global rankings map. Many of them have entered the QS, Times Higher Education, and Shanghai rankings, particularly in the fields of engineering, medicine, information technology, pharmacy, natural sciences, and humanities. Among these successes, the Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) stands out, with its Medicine and Dentistry programs ranking among the world's elite in the Shanghai Ranking and achieving first place nationally. This accomplishment reflects the strength of the university's scientific research, the development of its infrastructure, and the competence of its academic staff.

 

The University of Jordan also continued to solidify its presence in the QS World University Rankings, confirming its position as a leading research institution with regional and international influence. This scientific impact is further enhanced by the presence of prominent names from universities such as Al-Hussein Bin Talal University. A number of Jordanian scientists are ranked among the top two per cent of researchers globally according to international research citation databases. These include a select group of professors from Al-Hussein Bin Talal University who have excelled in engineering, energy, basic sciences, and education. Other universities, such as the University of Jordan, Yarmouk University, the Hashemite University, and Mutah University, also boast researchers who have contributed to the development of complex mathematical models, water treatment technologies, artificial intelligence applications, and environmental studies. This reflects the development of the academic environment and its capacity to produce research with direct practical impact. Similarly, Jordanian private universities have witnessed remarkable progress in international rankings, reflecting the qualitative development of their academic programs and the rise in the level of their scientific research. Universities such as Princess Sumaya University for Technology, Applied Science Private University, and Amman Arab University have strengthened their positions in the QS and Times Higher Education rankings in the fields of technology, business, and health sciences. This success is driven by investments in modern infrastructure, updated curricula, expanded international partnerships, enhanced faculty capabilities, and a significant increase in internationally published research. These achievements underscore the pivotal role of private universities in advancing the Jordanian higher education system and enhancing its regional and global competitiveness.

 

In the field of agricultural sciences and natural resources, Jordanian universities have contributed to developing new technologies to improve agricultural production, enhance food security, understand the impacts of climate change, and develop drought-resistant crops. Furthermore, in the area of ​​water management, universities have been able to offer practical solutions in a country considered one of the world's most water-scarce. In the humanities and social sciences, researchers have produced high-quality studies in education, sociology, economics, linguistics, and history, contributing to the development of educational and administrative policies, enhancing cultural and social awareness, and enriching public discourse on issues of identity and development.

 

The addition of Jordanian universities today is a natural outcome of the interaction between quantitative expansion and qualitative growth. On the one hand, the expansion in the number of universities and programmes has provided ample educational opportunities, while on the other hand; national policies for accreditation and quality assurance have fostered a culture of excellence and raised academic standards. Furthermore, the internationalisation of education and the attraction of students from over one hundred countries have helped create a multicultural learning environment, contributed to the growth of the knowledge economy, and given Jordanian universities a regional presence.

 

However, further development remains urgent on several levels, especially given the financial pressures facing some public universities. Strengthening good governance is essential for improving the quality of decision-making and ensuring transparency and financial sustainability. Investing in faculty members through specialized training programs, supporting scholarships, and providing incentives for rigorous research and publication is also crucial for improving outcomes. Furthermore, there is a need to develop digital and laboratory infrastructure to keep pace with the rapid global digital transformation.

 

A review of the structure of academic disciplines is also necessary, along with strengthening the link between university programmes and labour market needs, and directing resources toward specialised fields that add real value to the economy and society. It is also essential to build deeper partnerships with the public and private sectors to create applied programs, provide training and employment opportunities, and generate new funding sources that reduce debt and enhance sustainability.

 

Adopting this balanced vision, based on quality and institutional effectiveness, can enable Jordanian universities to deepen their scientific mission, enhance their role in national development, and strengthen Jordan's presence on the global scientific map. Quality higher education is no longer an option, but a strategic necessity for a more prosperous future and the ability to meet the challenges of the times.

 

Hasan Dajah is professor of strategic studies at Al-Hussein Bin Talal University