The Compass – The University of Jordan will hold a retreat for university presidents on Saturday to discuss the organization of partisan work among university students and participation in political life, with the participation of elite deans of student affairs and the elite of senior politicians and officials.

The retreat, which is titled “Towards the Road Map for Partisan Work in Universities,” aims to complete what King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein started when he met with the heads of public universities recently; He called for working to remove any barriers between university students, participate in political life and provide a university environment that contributes to promoting political modernization, in addition to what Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah stressed the importance of the role of universities and student clubs in promoting this path.

The University of Jordan added in a statement, “Because today universities represent the largest incubator for educated youth, including professors, researchers, research centers, laboratories, graduate students, researchers and students on study benches. The culture of democracy, pluralism and acceptance of the other.” Hence the importance of the retreat that will be held by the university under the direct supervision and follow-up of the university president, Nazir Obeidat, with the participation of university presidents, deans of student affairs, university officials and Jordanian politicians.

The participants in the retreat discuss, through its three sessions, the legislation and policies emanating from the Committee to Modernize the Political System, the opportunities and challenges in framing student party work in universities, a general discussion of student curricula and activities and the roadmap for the next stage, in addition to recommendations that will be provided to the government, and an exchange of experiences and opinions and access To the roadmaps necessary for the development of student political party work in Jordanian universities.

The participants in this retreat seek to answer a number of questions, including: What is the philosophy behind framing partisan work in universities, why the shift in state policy towards political and partisan activity for students today, and what are the most prominent repercussions of election laws and parties on student work in universities, and how It is possible to develop a framework for the desired university policies to achieve this, and what are the values, standards and rules that were used to set the system that defines and frames partisan work in Jordanian universities, and what are the most prominent activities, events and changes required to promote a culture of democracy and partisanship among university students, and the challenges and concerns that prevent the development of university youth participation In political and party work in general, the drivers and dynamics that help accelerate and promote the integration of university students into public work.

67% oppose the participation of university students in parties

An opinion poll conducted by the Center for Strategic Studies at the University of Jordan showed that the majority of Jordanians (67%) oppose the participation of university students in parties, and only (33%) support them, as fear of problems, strife and discrimination are among the factors that do not support students’ participation in political parties. .

The vast majority of Jordanians (79%) oppose the establishment of parties for partisan activities inside universities, and only (21%) support the establishment of parties for partisan activities within Jordanian universities.

He indicated that among the reasons for supporting the establishment of partisan activities inside universities are: spreading partisan and political awareness among students (38%), students’ participation in new ideas (36%), and encouraging party affiliation (11%). As for the reasons for not supporting the establishment of partisan activities inside universities, they are: focus and interest in education (50%), fear of discrimination and sedition and consequently problems and violence (36%), lack of conviction in parties (6%).