Jordanians studying in Syria looking for local universities

The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on Thursday called on Jordanians studying in Syrian universities to register on the ministry’s website. The ministry posted an announcement on its website (http://www.mohe.gov.jo) requesting these students to fill in the information form between January 5 and 14. The required data includes their names, subject of study, Tawjihi scores and place of residence in Jordan. Earlier this week, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Rowaida Maaitah said some 317 Jordanians studying in Syria have already registered their names with the ministry. She noted that the ministry will have no option but to accept them in local universities as in the case of Jordanians who used to study in Libya and Yemen. Last year, more than 900 students who were enrolled in Libyan and Yemeni universities were admitted into degree programmes at local higher education institutions due to the turmoil and revolutions in both countries. Of the 317 Jordanians studying in Syria registered who have already registered, 117 are medical students, 69 engineering, seven veterinary and the rest are in other specialisations. Maaitah said there will be coordination between public and private universities to accept these students, noting that all those studying medicine in Syria have Tawjihi scores that qualify them to enrol in Jordanian medical schools. Four public universities in the country teach medical courses: the University of Jordan, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Mutah University and Hashemite University. Around 1,200 Jordanian currently study in Syria, the majority of them medical students, according to Ministry of Higher Education Secretary General Mustafa Odwan.