‘Safety first’: Jordanian students abroad urged to ‘be patient’, abide by host countries’ rules

AMMAN — The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on Monday called on Jordanian students studying abroad to abide by the instructions and decisions issued by the authorities in the countries in which they reside, and to follow proper health protection measures.

The ministry said in a message addressed to the students that it is in continuous coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is “doing everything it can” to assist them within the available capabilities, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

The ministry added that it is especially working to maintain coordination and bilateral cooperation between Jordan and the various countries, most of which have announced the closure of their air, sea and land crossings.

The ministry said that more than 40,000 Jordanian students are studying abroad, which necessitates multiplied efforts to deal with this large number, calling on students to “be patient and to reflect an honourable image of Jordan and its people in those countries”.

The ministry noted in its message: "In light of the fear students abroad feel in these difficult circumstances in which the coronavirus crisis has spread, there are a number of cultural advisers in the countries in which they reside, who perform their role to the fullest and communicate with students constantly.”

“In countries where there are no cultural advisers, Jordanian embassies play this role and communicate with students constantly,” it continued.

The ministry expressed appreciation for all the efforts undertaken by the authorities of “brotherly and friendly” countries in their national plans to assist their citizens, which also aim to assist Jordanian students residing in those countries.

The ministry pointed to graduate students whose universities suspended their studies for an unknown period, noting that the Higher Education Council decided to consider this period of time to be within the period of residence necessary for the equivalence of their degrees.

The ministry stressed its keenness on maintaining students’ safety first and foremost, noting that it is “currently too early” to talk about any decisions that can be taken to address their academic situations.