University of Bradford holds 50th anniversary reception in Jordan
On March 19th, British Ambassador to Jordan Edward Oakden, hosted the 50th anniversary celebration for the University of Bradford in Jordan.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador Oakden said:
Last year alone, over 1,500 Jordanians began university study in the UK, embarking on journeys of education at British universities like Bradford. I’m delighted that so many Jordanians are choosing British institutions for their study, because having the best of education is vital to building a strong economy. Some 200 Jordanians have already studied in Bradford, part of 1500 alumni living and working in the region. Bradford University is especially strong in high technology; and both the University and I are keen to increase its number of Jordanian students further, as it grows into one of the UK’s centres for high technology.
Boosting education, alongside creating jobs and helping to buttress security, is the UK’s highest priority in Jordan. The UK has committed £80m over four years to help get all children in education in Jordan, helping provide training for teachers, equipment for classrooms and maintenance of school buildings. In higher education, this year we provided more scholarships than ever for Jordanians wanting to study Masters programmes in the UK. I’m proud that the UK is supporting all elements of education here, as this is vital to Jordan’s long term economic sustainability.
Also speaking at the event, Professor Brian Cantor, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bradford, said:
I would like to thank Edward Oakden, the British Ambassador for hosting our 50th Anniversary Alumni celebration. During this trip we have strengthened our existing relationships and established new partnership agreements with some of the region’s leading universities. These partnerships support our strategic plans around student recruitment, world-class research and knowledge transfer in the Gulf. We have also renewed our connections with our alumni and with over 3,000 alumni living and working in the Middle East, this demonstrates the considerable Bradford network we have in this part of the world. We look forward to the next 50 years as we continue to develop as one of the world’s great technology universities.
Background Information:
The University of Bradford has over 3,000 alumni living and working in the Middle East, including a considerable number in Jordan. The celebration was attended by over 100 of Bradford’s Jordanian alumni, many of whom are now working in prominent positions in both the private and public sectors.
The UK is providing almost a quarter of a billion dollars of support to Jordan this year, to help build Jordan’s continued security, stability and economic sustainability. Since the start of the Syria crisis the UK has provided over three quarters of a billion dollars of support to Jordan.