Our alumnus of the month for this issue is a recent PhD
graduate, Islam Aljdou.
With her determination, persistence, and studiousness and the
supportive policies, bylaws, and facilities of the University of Jordan (UJ),
Islam, who has hearing loss, was able to reach the highest degree offered at
the university.
Aljdou obtained a PhD in Special Education from the
University's School of Educational Sciences, her dissertation title was:
"The level of professional and personal competencies and their
relationship to career satisfaction among teachers of students with hearing
disabilities in light of some variables".
On a
couple of occasions, Islam confirmed that the
environmental facilities inside the university have become much better; the
number of sign language interpreters has increased and communication has
improved.
Aljdou said that since her childhood she had difficulty
communicating with the surrounding community. As a young girl, she only aspired
to reach high school, but after that, she realized her own strength, and despite the challenges she faced in school she
continued her undergraduate university education.
Aljdou added that soon after obtaining her bachelor's degree,
she realized that she had to keep-going and, accordingly, worked hard and
obtained a master's degree and then a doctorate, despite many family
commitments and the surrounding community's attempt to discourage her.
Aljdou, who is currently a full-time employee at the Greater
Amman Municipality, says she wishes to pursue a career in the academia.
The Students Guidance Department at the Deanship of Student
Affairs, which was established in 2002, provides the necessary and specialized
support for university students in general and students with special
disabilities in particular.
The Special Needs Student Support Division at the Department
works to transform the university environment into a less restrictive
environment, in order for the student with disabilities to achieve the highest
degree of adaptation.
Moreover, students with disabilities at UJ receive 90%
discount on credit hour fees for both, undergraduate and postgraduate studies.