Under the Patronage of Cardinal Edwin O'Brien The American University in Madaba (AUM)

                                   Celebrates the Graduation of the Second Batch of its Students.

 On Friday, the 2nd of September, 2016, Cardinal Edwin O'Brien, the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre, patronized the ceremony of the graduation of the second batch of the American University students in Madaba (AUM), with the participation of Senator Nancy Styles and the attendance of HE Dr. Marouf Al Bakhit, Chairman of the University Board of Trustees; Archbishop Alberto Ortega the Vatican Ambassador to Jordan; and former Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem Fouad Al Twal.

In his Speech during the ceremony, Cardinal O'Brien said that his presence today represents the Catholic Church - the owner of this university- to share the students and the teaching staff their joy of this special achievement that is considered the fruit of their academic march. He also expressed his feelings of pride of this achievement and his appreciation of the efforts of all who contributed to this success today.

The presence of the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre indicates the support of the Catholic Church of the aim and march of the AUM which is exemplified in combating ignorance and focussing on knowledge that has great influence on the presence of students in the national and global communities. He also emphasised that hope and the noble values are their most important main motive.

On the other hand, Senator Styles referred to the excellence of the AUM and its staff which main cause behind registering it as an American university in addition to granting the academic certificates in accordance with the rules and regulations, She also referred that she witnessed the progress of the university from its beginning which was achieved in a short time under the patronage of the Latin Patriarchate and the Catholic Church.

In his inaugural speech, Dr. Muneer Dabanneh, the Acting President of the AUM, has emphasized the importance of the location of the university in Madaba. He also said that the university is considered a forum of twenty eight nationalities from all over the world that gain knowledge and wisdom which contribute to develop their own communities. The acting president also emphasized the role of the family and the teaching and administrative staff in contributing to prepare the leaders of the future. At the end of his speech, he expressed his thanks and gratitude to everyone who contributed to the development of this academic institution.

Diala Al Rashdan, a graduate student, delivered a speech on behalf of the graduate students in which she expressed the student’s feelings of pride of their university and considered this moment a starting point of a new challenge.

The graduation ceremony consisted of international musical symphony performed by the Jordan Academy for Music followed by certificate presentation.