Private and privatised higher educational institutions in Jordan

Abstract

Jordan is a country that has prided itself on being a source of trained manpower and which has actively participated in building infrastrucures in some neighbouring oil-producing countries. Over the past decade, it has witnessed an unprecedented increase in the establishment of private universities and higher educational institutions. From a country where university education was a monopoly of the state, Jordan has been recently transformed into a haven of financial investment of the private sector in higher education. Twelve full fledged universities have been established and accredited so far and several other applications for permits for the establishment of more universities are being considered. This paper aims at a descriptive survey of the establishment and growth of private higher education in Jordan. It also aims to provide a critical analysis of the major challenges associated with the privatisation of education, as well as an evaluation of the Jordanian experience in meeting the educational needs of the country and some neighbouring countries, responding to the aspirations of the young and maintaining the required standards for the training, preparation and education of the incoming students. The paper also raises a number of questions that have a bearing on many sensitive issues related to the efficiency of education, commercialisation of education, profiteering, ideology development, and inefficient responses to creativity. Private higher education in Jordan is an innovative trend; but it is an experience worth evaluating. The paper concludes with implications and recommendations.