jordan pulse -

Faris Karama
Amman - Ranking of Al-Ahliyya Amman University at top of Jordanian universities in Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2026, and its placement at 132nd rank Asia-wide, was not merely a transient achievement. It is result of an exceptional leadership vision behind which stands a personality who made the difference, Dr. Maher Al-Hourani.
Al-Hourani is not just Chairman of Board of Directors, but engineer of a real transformation in university’s path. He is man who reads future with eye of an expert and deals with education as a long-term strategic investment, not as a traditional sector. He was able to move Al-Ahliyya Amman from its local framework to space of regional and international competition, to become today a scientific beacon and destination for students from various Arab countries.
This wide Arab, regional, and international presence did not come by chance, but as result of accumulated trust in university’s reputation and quality of its outputs. This contributed directly to supporting state treasury and driving wheels of economy based on principle of educational tourism, through attracting international students and enhancing Jordan's position as a leading educational destination in region. Students utilized various sectors such as real estate, services, and others.
Under leadership of Al-Hourani, university no longer seeks participation, but top position. What has been achieved in terms of a qualitative leap in ranking and increase in indicators of scientific research quality, research environment, and international cooperation, reflects an advanced administrative thought that believes excellence is made in details.
Furthermore, this top position enhances trust of students and countries in university and supports its academic accreditation on a wider scale. This opens new horizons for expansion and international partnerships and consolidates its position as an educational institution with a global presence.
Achievement realized today is a true translation of Al-Hourani’s philosophy, based on investing in human and knowledge, enhancing scientific research, openness to international partnerships, and adopting latest global practices in higher education. It was not strange that university recorded clear leaps in ranking indicators, especially in scientific research quality, research environment, cooperation with industrial sector, and international outlook.
While universities compete for positions, Al-Ahliyya Amman chose to compete on value: value of education, value of research, and value of outputs that suit local and global labor market. This approach made it today highest-ranked Jordanian university and one of most prominent rising universities in Asia.
Dr. Maher Al-Hourani leads university with a mentality that combines economy and education, and boldness and precision, placing a clear goal before his eyes, which is reaching ranks of global universities.
Today, Al-Ahliyya Amman does not only harvest an achievement, but establishes its position as a Jordanian success story par excellence, led by a man who knows how to turn vision into reality.