Student spits at university professor during graduation ceremony

AMMAN — Social media users on Wednesday called for measures against a student who spat at a faculty member of Jadara University during a graduation ceremony, and the university said it will file a lawsuit against him.

In a video uploaded on YouTube earlier this week of a graduation ceremony at Jadara University in Irbid, a graduate spat at a faculty member as he was queuing to receive his certificate.

“We have already complained to the police. We will file a lawsuit against him as this was totally inappropriate behaviour,” Saleh Aqeeli, president of Jadara University, told The Jordan Times.

The university has also sent a letter to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research demanding that the student’s bachelor’s degree not be granted or accredited, Aqeeli said.

He added that two more students were involved in some riots at the graduation ceremony. One of them was expelled and another was suspended for two semesters.

When at the police station, the student claimed that he spat at the faculty members because he was dissatisfied with his grade point average.

The video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPGjPNeVS9U), which went viral on social media, triggered angry reactions from users with many calling for firm measures against those who commit violations against professors and instructors at universities.

Some social media users launched a campaign to show respect and appreciation for instructors and professors, highlighting their role as builders of bright generations and educators for life.

“The university should take firm measures against the student who insulted the professor. How come society is silent when it comes to such a violation? This is a shame,” Hanan Al Sheikh, one of the supporters of the campaign, wrote on her Facebook page.

On Twitter, several users called for measures to prevent any violations against teachers or faculty members.

“There is a need for very firm and tough measures against those who assault any teacher or faculty members to prevent [their] recurrence,” Sami Salman (@Sami_123) tweeted Wednesday.

“We need to show appreciation and respect to our educators,” he tweeted.