In commemoration of its 30th anniversary, the Jordanian American Commission for Educational Exchange (JACEE) hosted a reception, on Thursday, with His Royal Highness Prince El Hassan bin Talal as keynote speaker.

Prince El Hassan praised the history of Fulbright in Jordan, noting that Fulbright embodies the principle of transcendence of identities, cultures, faiths, and religions, and lines of thought across boundaries, and towards a plurality of respect.

"These are the values and practices that Fulbright scholars are revered for, and it is precisely what we intended when we opened the ‘Fulbright House’ in Amman on December 8, 1994," His Royal Highness said at the reception, also attended by U.S. Ambassador to Jordan Henry T. Wooster and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs Lee Satterfield.

Prince El Hassan highlighted the importance of encouraging and practicing learning by analogy to learn through experience, discourse across cultural boundaries, and reflection, emphasizing the importance of conversation as a meeting of minds to transform, reshape facts and draw different implications from them and engage in new trains of thoughts.

Also speaking at the reception, Ambassador Wooster celebrated the achievements of Jordanian Fulbright alumni as truly exceptional.

“Jordanian Fulbright alumni include influential figures, such as government ministers, diplomats, performing artists, and leaders of academic, NGO, and business communities. The ripple effect from people-to-people connections made during a study abroad experience expands throughout a lifetime and for generations to come,” he said at the reception.

Also speaking at the reception, Assistant Secretary Satterfield underscored the importance of Fulbright programs in Jordan and globally.

“Today, we use that foundational value of mutual understanding to pursue a world of more shared peace and shared prosperity in key, tangible ways –from more economic opportunity and employability to a cure for the latest global health challenge to a historic peace plan, or perhaps to teach a new generation of future leaders,” she said.

The Commission’s Executive Director, Edward Prados, expressed his gratitude and appreciation for all those who have supported and participated in the Fulbright Program over the years.

He said: "The Fulbright Program is more than just an educational exchange program; it is a transformative experience that builds bridges of understanding and friendship between our two countries. I am honored to lead this prestigious institution and to continue its legacy of excellence and impact. I look forward to working with our partners and stakeholders to enhance and diversify our programs and to create more opportunities for mutual learning and collaboration."

The reception honored the achievements and contributions of the Fulbright alumni community and celebrated the enduring partnership between Jordan and the United States – which the Government of Jordan has honored by increasing its financial support to the Commission in order to help support more funding for Jordanian Fulbright candidates.

Current and former Commission Board Members, Jordanian and American Fulbright alumni, current Fulbright grantees, representatives of higher education institutions in Jordan, and other friends of the Fulbright Program also attended the reception.

Since its establishment in May 1993, JACEE has awarded over 1,500 grants to Jordanians and Americans to study, conduct research, and teach in each other’s countries, with the aim of creating and fostering greater cooperation between the peoples of Jordan and the United States.

The Fulbright Commission in Jordan is one of 49 binational commissions around the world that administer the Fulbright Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.

In addition to celebrating its past accomplishments, the Fulbright Commission is looking forward to expanding opportunities for academic and cultural exchange in the future. The Commission is currently accepting applications from Jordanian citizens for Fulbright Grants to the United States for the academic year 2024-2025. These grants provide funding for graduate studies, research projects, teaching assistantships, and professional development programs in various disciplines. The deadline for applications is June 29, 2023.

The Fulbright Commission invites interested individuals to visit its website at www.fulbright.org.jo for more information about its programs and activities. The Commission also encourages the public to follow its social media accounts at “Fulbright Jordan” on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to stay updated on its news and events.