His Majesty King Abdullah II, in the presence of Crown Prince Hussein and Prince Faisal, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Abdullah II Center for Excellence, presented the Distinguished University Award to the President of the University of Jordan, Dr. Nather Obeidat, in a grand ceremony held at the Palace of Culture to announce the winners of the current 2024 cycle of the King Abdullah II Awards for Government Performance and Transparency.The University of Jordan ranked first in the Distinguished University Award as part of the King Abdullah II Awards for Government Performance and Transparency. This announcement coincided with the Kingdom's celebrations of the silver jubilee of His Majesty's assumption of constitutional powers, during which His Majesty has shown particular interest in higher education, directing successive governments to prioritize the development of higher education and to promote a culture of excellence through the development of models and frameworks that focus on this culture and provide the best international practices to enhance institutional performance.Obeidat expressed his pride in receiving the award, stating that the university is proud to carry the name of His Majesty King Abdullah II, may God protect him, and to be associated with his award once again, as the university has a story, indeed many stories, with His Majesty, may God protect him.Obeidat mentioned that the University of Jordan has adopted excellence as a path and quality as a way of life, striving for the award as a step in its journey towards global recognition. He emphasized that when applying for the award, the university did not view itself merely as the top university; it considers its local prominence a duty and an obligation rather than a choice. Since 1962, it has deepened its roots in the land, extending its branches and veins of life that flow with contributions to various institutions in Jordan, and supplying the Arab nation with distinguished qualified individuals capable of giving and contributing, dedicating itself as a tree of knowledge and life in our beloved Jordan, which represents the beating heart of the Arab nation extending east and west.Obeidat added that the university is a unique Jordanian experience, undertaken by dedicated citizens who have exerted effort, hard work, and sleepless nights for its success, transforming it into what it is today: a beacon that attracts the hearts of students, a place of hope for those seeking knowledge, and a destination for the aspirations of educated youth from the Arab world and beyond; a bright light that draws the attention of the world.Obeidat affirmed that by receiving the award from the King, the university has entered a new era of renaissance and development, aimed at the advancement of the nation, with knowledge and education as its foundation, and a focus on human issues. The university has taken it upon itself to lead a series of initiatives to earn the award, with the entire university community—president, vice presidents, deans, faculty members, administration, students, and alumni—working together like a "beehive," where each part supports the other to make the desired difference and change, aiming to be a center of cultural, intellectual, scientific, and technological enlightenment, leading development plans and solutions to current and future challenges.Thus, the pursuit and effort to develop the concept of institutional management have emerged, creating a system that meets the demands of change and elevates itself and those around it—people and society—to the level of challenges, even surpassing them.