Established in 1995, Hashemite University, often abbreviated HU, is prominent among the Jordanian state-run universities. Located in the vicinity of the city of Zarqa, it is the first university in Jordan to apply the Two-Summer-Semester system. Additionally, the university uses the credit hour system. Each faculty has its own requirement for credit hours. HU offers a variety of masters programs. It also offers an international admissions program that allows non-Jordanian students to enroll at the university. The university is comprised of 19 colleges (faculties) and institutes. It offers (52) specialties at the undergraduate level and (35) specialties at the postgraduate level (doctorate, masters, higher diploma, in addition to a number of professional diploma programs.
Demographic Advantage
The university is situated on a site at the intersection of two international highways. The west gate of the university, which is the main gate, opens to the international highway that links Amman with Mafraq and Irbid, and from there to Syria. The south gate opens to the highway that leads to Az Zarqa and from there to Iraq and Saudi Arabia.
A Rich History
The university came into existence by royal decree on 19 June, 1991. Teaching commenced in the university on 16 September 1995. It is built on a total area of 8519 acres. HU received the order of independence of first class for its achievements in renewable energy and higher education.
About the Faculty of Medicine
The Faculty of Medicine at the Hashemite University was inaugurated by his Majesty King Abdullah II Bin Al-Hussein in 2006. It began with an initial batch of 135 students, and its capacity has now grown to close to 1750 students through its current 6-year Medical Doctor (MD) degree program. The faculty comprises 5 departments in clinical and basic sciences:
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences: Anatomy& Histology, Physiology, Biochemistry & Genetics, Pathology, Microbiology, Immunology, Pharmacology, Community Medicine & Forensic Medicine.
- Department of Internal Medicine and Family Medicine, which also includes Dermatology &Diagnostic Radiology.
- Department of General Surgery & Specialized Surgery that includes Urology & Pediatric Surgery, Orthopedics, Ophthalmology & Otolaryngology.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
- Department of Pediatrics & Neonatology.
The faculty has attained international accreditation from WHO, IMED, PLAB, the American Medical Residency Certification Board, and the Medical Board of California. The faculty has well qualified national and international teaching staff from various medical specialties, royal medical services, and the Ministry of Health. It offers an exciting and stimulating learning environment that inspires and equips the medical students to become distinguished medical professionals.
For the basic years, the faculty follows a comprehensive curriculum integrating both theoretical and practical teaching. Unique bespoke courses to Hashemite University include medical economics, health policies, medical ethics, and medical decision making as well as its flagship Clinical Skills Education and Testing Center (CSETC) which aims to equip the medical students with professional competency in clinical and consultation skills. Furthermore, the newly installed Digitalized Anatomy Laboratory (DAL) is part of the faculty’s continued striving to use the latest technologies to enhance the learning environment for the medical students.
In the latter 3 clinical years, medical students rotate through the medical specialties in the central regional hospitals and undergo comprehensive theoretical and practical assessments, including objective structured clinical examination (OSCE). In addition, the faculty allows for a two-month national and international medical elective course for the students to gain international academic experience and broaden their vision.
The faculty of medicine awards the degree of Doctor of Medicine (MD) after successful completion of 257 credit hours, during the course of six years. The degree is recognized locally (accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education), regionally (WHO and IMED), and internationally by some of the most prestigious academic institutions (PLAB, the American Medical Residency Certification Board, and the Medical Board of California).
An Erudite President
The person leading Hashemite University towards the heights of educational and career excellence is none other than Professor Doctor Kamal Bani-Hani, the President. He is a gastrointestinal surgeon and formerly held the position of dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Hashemite University. He also was the dean of the Faculty of Medicine at Jordan University of Science and Technology from September 2008 to October 2010.
Exceptional Educational Facilities
The Faculty of Medicine focuses on producing highly proficient medical practitioners who are capable of providing state of the art medical care in all the different specialties of medicine. The faculty aims to raise the medical standards of physicians in the local community through specific programs of ‘Continuous Medical Education’.
The faculty marches forward with the goal of raising standards of health care and medical services in the Kingdom in general, especially in the middle region, in cooperation with the Ministry of Health and the Directorate of the Royal Medical Services. It focuses on stimulating medical research with a special emphasis on health problems prevalent in the local communities. Additionally, the faculty aims to raise the standards of Preventive Medicine and Primary Medical Care.
The Dedicated Faculty
The excellent faculty comes from many nations. , and many of them are graduates of distinguished international universities and have received their clinical training in leading international hospitals. They are actively involved in scientific research, regional and international conferences, and regular contributions to the medical literature. In recognition of these research achievements, the university has also been accredited by the Foundation for Advancement of International Medical Education and Research (FAIMER).
Beyond the Curriculum
Other than providing exceptional educational facilities, the university offers various services to the local community and society at large. It provides free clinical services in hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health, including Prince Hamzah Hospital. The university organizes volunteer medical days in different cities and villages throughout Jordan. It participates in innovative projects to enhance medical awareness and services in the local community. Moreover, the university encourages media involvement to promote health education on various platforms, like television, to improve public health awareness. It always encourages the students to participate in local and international medical conferences and workshops, which, in turn, provides them the much needed exposure to the larger world.
Towards a Future of Endless Possibilities
The university aims at building a bright future for its students. The faculty is preparing study plans for higher specialization programs. The faculty aims to improve its offerings further by:
- Enhancing medical training through innovative and cutting edge medical educational methods
- Implementing a more integrated medical curriculum
- Appointing academically recognized staff and continuing of scholarship programs.
- Allocating a university hospital
- Continuing to attain local and international accreditations and collaborations
Objective: The University aims to produce professional physicians and health-care leaders for tomorrow and to provide state-of-the-art research, medical education and health-care services.
