On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies at Yarmouk University organized a volunteer initiative that involved distributing symbolic gifts carrying motivational messages in support of women, in appreciation of their role and contributions across various fields.
The Center’s Director, accompanied by the Center’s staff, a number of university student volunteers, and members of the local community—including a group of students from Granada College School—conducted a tour that covered several faculties and administrative units at the university. During the tour, gifts were presented to female employees and staff members as a gesture of appreciation for women’s efforts and their continuous contributions to the academic and administrative journey.
The Center’s Director affirmed that celebrating this global occasion reflects the Center’s commitment to highlighting the role of women and strengthening their status. She noted that the motivational messages accompanying the gifts were intended to emphasize the value of women and the importance of their role in building society and contributing to its progress.
In celebration of International Women’s Day, and in line with Yarmouk University’s commitment to empowering women and supporting their intellectual and psychological well-being, the Vice President for Scientific Research, Rankings, and International Accreditation, Dr. Ruba Al-Batayneh, sponsored a specialized panel discussion titled “Mental Health.” The session was organized by the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies in cooperation with the Royal Health Awareness Society, coinciding with global celebrations of Women’s Day, and was attended by the Center’s Director, Dr. Batoul Al-Muheisen.
In her speech during the session, Dr. Al-Batayneh expressed her appreciation for Jordanian women, noting that women’s empowerment begins with self-belief and the ability to achieve psychological balance. She emphasized that inner stability is the true fuel for creativity and academic and professional excellence, affirming that the university will always remain a supportive and safe environment for every woman striving to leave a positive impact on her community.
The session, moderated and supervised by Dr. Aseel Al-Rat’aan, Head of the Research and Studies Department at the Center, addressed awareness aspects of mental health. Sara Abu Hsheesh from the Society provided a comprehensive overview of the establishment of the Royal Health Awareness Society and its strategic goals in building a health-aware community.
In turn, Nawar Al-Naqresh from the Society discussed the concept of self-care as a fundamental tool for maintaining psychological balance amid the pressures of modern life. She highlighted the strong positive correlation between the quality of mental health and the efficiency of human performance across various fields, emphasizing the importance of mental health in making better decisions, coping with anxiety and stress, communicating confidently with others, and achieving success in both professional and daily life.
The session, which included the participation of several female administrative staff members at the university, also addressed the types of psychological pressures that particularly affect women, how to distinguish between beneficial and harmful stress, and emphasized that mental well-being is the primary foundation upon which both professional and social success are built.
The former Speaker of the House of Representatives, MP Ahmad Al-Safadi, sponsored the dialogue session, held in the presence of the Vice President of Yarmouk University for Scientific Research, International Accreditations, and Rankings, Professor Ruba Bataineh. The session was organized by the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies, in cooperation with the “Yalla Nsharek, Yalla Nethazab” Initiative and the Imar Irbid Foundation, under the title:
“Jordanian Women as a Fundamental Pillar in the Comprehensive National Modernization Project.”
The session featured contributions from former Minister Dr. Mohammad Obaidat, former Senator Aminah Al-Zoubi, MP Dr. Abdul Nasser Al-Khasawneh, Director of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies Dr. Batool Al-Muhaisen, and the Head of the Initiative, Saif Al-Islam Bani Mustafa.
The discussion addressed the participation of Jordanian women in political life and their role in the comprehensive national modernization project pursued by the Jordanian state.
In her remarks, H.E. the Secretary-General of the Commission, Eng. Maha Ali, emphasized the importance of the study in identifying the reality of female students’ participation in student unions at Jordanian universities and the challenges they face, as well as in providing recommendations that would enhance their participation. She noted that the study results showed a noticeable increase in the percentage of female candidates; however, this was not reflected in winning rates. She added that participation in student unions contributes to developing students’ skills and capacities in public engagement, candidacy, elections, and decision-making, and serves as an important gateway to encouraging women’s involvement in public life.
For his part, the President of Yarmouk University, Dr. Malek Al-Sha’ari, stressed that true development can only be achieved through an integrated partnership between men and women—one based on equal opportunities, complementary roles, and recognition of competence and capability—pointing out that this vision aligns with the national vision and the Hashemite leadership.
The event also featured a panel discussion attended by the Vice President for Scientific Research, International Accreditations, and Rankings, Professor Dr. Ruba Al-Batayneh, on the importance of university female students’ participation in political life. The panel included H.E. Senator Khawla Al-Armouti, Chair of the Women’s Committee in the Senate; H.E. MP Hala Al-Jarrah, First Assistant to the Speaker of the House of Representatives; Dr. Ali Al-Khawaldeh, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs; and Dr. Abeer Al-Dababneh, Member of the Board of Commissioners of the Independent Election Commission.
The event also hosted male and female students from the universities included in the study, who shared their experiences in running for student union elections.
Coordination Meeting to Strengthen the Role of Women’s Studies Centers and Launch the “Equality Charter” Initiative in Jordanian Universities
As part of the Committee’s efforts to coordinate and enhance the role of Women’s Studies Centers in Jordanian universities within joint cooperation plans, and in support of policies that promote the principles of justice and equal opportunities for women in alignment with the National Strategy for Women in Jordan (2020–2025);
The Jordanian National Commission for Women, in cooperation with Middle East University, hosted a coordination meeting that brought together directors of Women’s Studies Centers from several Jordanian universities, in the presence of H.E. Eng. Maha Ali, Secretary-General of the Commission, along with the Commission’s relevant team.
During the meeting, the Middle East University team presented the “Equality Charter” initiative, a proposed university-led initiative aimed at achieving gender equity within Jordanian academic institutions, enhancing equal opportunities for women academics, and addressing the challenges and barriers they face in their academic and professional careers.
Dr. Batoul Al-Muhaisen highlighted the importance of unifying efforts among Women’s Studies Centers across Jordanian universities to strengthen institutional collaboration and exchange expertise and best practices. She emphasized that the “Equality Charter” represents a qualitative step toward institutionalizing the principles of justice and equal opportunities within the academic environment and creating a supportive framework for women’s academic and professional empowerment, in alignment with national priorities and the role of universities as key partners in sustainable development.
It is truly meaningful to leave a positive impact on the hearts and minds of our dear students—this is the core mission of both the University and the Center.
Yarmouk University
Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies / Yarmouk University
The Vice President of the University for Scientific Research, International Accreditations, and Rankings—and Chair of both the Central and Advisory Councils of the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies—Professor Dr. Ruba Batayneh, chaired the first meeting of the two councils.
During the meeting, an introductory presentation about the Center was delivered by its Director, Dr. Batoul Al-Muheisen, in which she highlighted its mission, objectives, tasks, organizational structure, and أبرز its key activities and events.
The meeting also included a presentation of the projects the Center has applied for in 2026, as well as its future plan aimed at strengthening its role as a research and community umbrella concerned with issues related to Jordanian women, and contributing to the support of relevant studies and policies.
Members of both councils emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships and cooperation with various relevant entities in order to achieve the Center’s goals and maximize its impact at both the academic and community levels.
The meeting coincided with the launch by the University, in cooperation with the Jordanian National Commission for Women, of a national study on female students’ participation in student union councils—an خطوة that reflects the University’s commitment to empowering young women and enhancing their role in public life.
The Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies at Yarmouk University conducted a training workshop entitled “Professional Communication in the Workplace,” specifically designed for female academics at the University, as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance professional skills and develop the academic work environment.
The workshop was delivered by Dr. Dina Al-Nasser, Executive Director of Consultancy and Beat of Perfection Training, and addressed a range of specialized interactive themes, most notably the fundamentals of management and leadership, personality analysis, conflict management, and negotiation skills. These topics contribute to strengthening effective communication and improving institutional performance efficiency.
This workshop is part of the Center’s training programs aimed at empowering female academics and building their professional capacities, in line with Yarmouk University’s mission to support sustainable academic development.
