jordan pulse -

Chief of the Royal Hashemite Court, Yousef Issawi, on Thursday patronized a ceremony honoring the winners of the 2025 Pioneering Leaders Award, organized by the Knights of Change Association for Political Development and Civil Society Development, with the participation of political, economic, and academic figures.

Association President Muhannad Haddadin said the launch of the award aligns with the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II on the importance of recognizing distinguished leadership, entrenching a culture of excellence, and encouraging national figures to enhance institutional performance in support of economic development and public sector efficiency.

He added that a specialized evaluation committee, comprising experts and members of the association, shortlisted five candidates per category in a confidential selection process based on performance indicators and institutional achievements recorded in 2025. The award was presented across three main categories: education, corporate leadership, and women’s leadership.

In the education sector, University of Jordan President Nazir Obeidat was honored for what was described as a transformative leadership approach that combines academic legacy with digital transformation requirements. Under his leadership, the university advanced 44 positions to rank 324th globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings. It also launched a major digitalization initiative for educational content, positioning it among the top 350 universities worldwide and first nationally in education quality and scientific research.

The university also recorded a significant financial milestone by eliminating its accumulated debt, while maintaining capital expenditure on major development projects. It also pursued comprehensive modernization of infrastructure and digital systems to support a smart and sustainable academic environment.

In the corporate category, businessman Michel Sayegh was awarded in recognition of his contributions to national economic development through investment-driven projects, including investments exceeding JD120 million to establish a medical university and teaching hospital in Aqaba, supporting the education and healthcare sectors.

He was also recognized for leading Sayegh Group of Companies, which includes Roya Media Group, Jordan Commercial Bank, and National Paints Holding Company, contributing to job creation and economic activity across multiple sectors.

In the women’s leadership category, Samar Nassar, Secretary General of the Jordan Football Association, received the award in recognition of achievements linked to the national football teams, including finishing runner-up in the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup, in addition to qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico for the first time in the country’s history.

The Knights of Change Association is a national youth organization registered with the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs. It has more than 64,000 members and implements initiatives aimed at empowering youth and women, supporting the national economy, and enhancing community participation through partnerships with the private sector.

//Petra// AJ