AUM is a traditional American-style four to five year university located on a 100 acre (33 hectare) stand-alone campus approximately 5 miles (8 km) from the city of Madaba, a historic region in the country of Jordan. The university is committed to devote adequate resources and energies that create a supportive and productive community serving the citizens of Jordan and, where appropriate, extending to the region and the world.
The city of Madaba, with a population of approximately 80,000, is the eighth largest city in Jordan. Madaba sits in the midst of a major agricultural area and is just 45 minutes (along divided highways) from Amman, the capital of Jordan and a city of over 1.3 million. Madaba is also about 45 minutes (by divided highway) from the Queen Alia International Airport.
As part of its Vision and Mission, AUM seeks to improve life in Madaba, Jordan, and the Region. Therefore, a major emphasis of research and creativity activity is devoted to local projects. Recent examples of these efforts are conferences sponsored by AUM on autism and energy, both areas of concern within Jordan and the Middle East.
The cultural heritage of Madaba is especially rich, even in Jordan. During the final year of their desert wanderings, Moses and the Children of Israel passed near Madaba on their way to the crossing of the River Jordan. A battle site where the Children of Israel fought the king of the Hivites is near Madaba. Mount Nebo, where Moses stood to behold Palestine is only a few minutes from Madaba and is a major tourist attraction. Near the base of Mount Nebo is the northern shore of the Dead Sea where several modern resorts can be enjoyed. A fine museum of the Dead Sea, showing its geology and environment, as well as a beautiful view, is located on a hilltop a few minutes south of the resorts. A famous hot springs at Ma’in is also located nearby. A few minutes’ drive north of the Dead Sea, near the place where the Jordan Crossing was made, is the lovely natural wooded enclave surrounding the site where Jesus was baptized.
Roman and Byzantine ruins abound within and near the city of Madaba. Of special interest is the mosaic map showing the location of Christian communities in the 5th century when the map was created. Several other mosaics are scattered in museums and churches throughout the city, thus giving Madaba the name of “Mosaic City”. About 30 minutes’ drive south of Madaba is the world heritage site of Umm ar Rasas, a Roman and Byzantine city now in ruins. The largest and, some say, the most beautiful and important mosaics in the Holy Land can be found there.
Other famous attractions in Jordan are only a few minutes or hours away. Petra, the famous city carved into the stone faces of cliffs, is about 2 hours south of Madaba. Aqaba, the seaport famous for scuba diving is about an hour further south of Petra. Kerak, a well-preserved Crusader and Byzantine castle is about 1 hour south of Madaba along the historic King’s Highway (used by Abraham when he rescued his nephew Lot who had been captured by invading kings). The marvelous “Grand Canyon of Jordan”, a deep and environmentally protected canyon named Wadi Mujib, lies between Madaba and Kerak.
North of Madaba about 2 hours is the marvelously well-preserved Roman ruins of Jerash. Even further north in Jordan are the mountains and Rabad Castle at Ajloun, the biblical cities of Pella and Gadara (now Umm Qais), and numerous other locations mentioned in the Old and New Testament.
Madaba is truly at the center of a great historical region.
The American University of Madaba is located around 7Km southeast of the city center of Madaba. Madaba has plenty of restaurants, both oriental and modern, where you can find traditional Arabic menus and other international. Most of the restaurants are located in the city center of Madaba.
