Opening of the Guidance and Support Office for Medical Students at the Alma Mater: A Significant Addition to Student Support and Skill Development**
When dreams become reality: In a celebratory atmosphere on July 30th, the opening of the Heart and Mind Guidance and Student Support Office was held at the school of Medicine at The University of Jordan. The event was under the patronage of Professor Dr. Nathir Obeidat, with the presence of vice presidents, deans, faculty and administrative members, as well as faculty members from the Faculties of Arts, Literature, and Sports, alongside a number of students from both the basic and clinical years of the college.
The event’s was presented by Dr. Fida Thekrallah , Assistant Dean for Student Affairs in Clinical Years and Graduates, who introduced the attendees and managed the event's program.
The ceremony began with a Holy Quran reading by student Abdullah Bani Ata,
In her opening remarks, Ms. Haifa Muhasna, Assistant Dean for Student Guidance, highlighted the importance of the office in providing support to students and enhancing their skills. She emphasized that the office will not only support struggling students but also work on improving communication skills and building students' self-confidence, making it a second home for students within their college.
This was followed by a series of segments and activities. Professor Dr. Firas Habees from the Department of Psychology at the Faculty of Arts discussed important psychological aspects related to students and ways to support them. The audience also enjoyed a performance on the oud by students Abdullah Al-Shawa and Rashid Abu Saleh, who played two musical pieces that added an artistic touch to the event. Additionally, there was a poetic exchange presented by student Suhaib Zaiter, and a caricature drawing session to get to know the professors, led by student Sarah Hammou.
In another part of the program, Dr. Radwan Bani Mustafa provided an overview of the efforts made to achieve this dream, which started small and became a reality, expressing his gratitude and appreciation to all contributors to this project.
Dr. Mohammad Ayoub, Deputy Dean of Student Affairs, reviewed the activities available at the Dean's Office, highlighting the diverse opportunities offered there. Dr. Maha Taysir from the Faculty of Rehabilitation spoke about the impact of smoking on student achievement, while Dr. Rahamna emphasized the importance of sports in students' lives. Dr. Musab Al-Qudah from the Faculty of Arts also participated, discussing job market and innovation. Finally, Dr. Ibrahim izraiq shared his vision regarding his work at the Student Mental Health Club.
During the event, a logo design competition for the office was held, with the winning logo created by student Rahaf Haitham. Additionally, the results of the poetry and short story competition were announced, with student Ahmad Ayoub Al-Mishaalah receiving recognition for his poem about beautiful Amman, while student Catherine Al-Sayouf won the short story award for her work "365 Days - 365 Opportunities."
The event concluded with a word of thanks and appreciation from Professor Dr. Nathir Obeidat to everyone who contributed to this achievement, including faculty and administrative members. At the end of the ceremony, Dr. Khaloud Al-Hajri, a 2024 graduate, was honored for her significant contributions to the project, as well as Dr. Maram Abdel-Jalil for her efforts in organizing the event.
Finally, the attendees were invited to open the new office and exhibition, where students' exceptional works in music, art, and Arabic fonts were displayed, alongside presentations from various groups interested in different clinical specialties. The event also featured the active participation of the Jordanian Diabetes Association , the "Bel Arabi" group and several student sports activities.
Notably, this event was considered important in fostering connections between preclinical and clinical students.
On the sidelines of the opening, sports equipments were purchased to be available to students during their free time, supporting interaction among students and between students and their instructors.
The students' reactions were positive, as the school of Medicine is now seen as addressing all student interests, not just academic matters.