Riots at Yarmouk University

A large fight broke out yesterday at Yarmouk University between Irbidi and Ajlouni students. This resulted in damage to windows, cars and buildings on the campus, as well as the injury of four people, including a security guard.

The reason cited for the fight was student elections. It is notable that Yarmouk University is one of the few universities where student council elections are for the entire body. Other universities appoint half of the members.

Anyway, this is not the first time university students get into a brawl. There have been incidents at the University of Jordan and at various private universities. There seems to be a lack of respect for the finer points of debate and argument, and an alarming reversion to tribal and regional loyalties. This is occurring in the very places where the future of the country is being cast.

Universities are not simply places where knowledge is transferred. They are centers for forging attitudes and ethics. It is true that many of students’ attitudes are set before they enroll in universities. This raises a challenge but does not provide an excuse. An aggressive effort needs to be made to instill the desired attitudes into our students. Ethics of work, respect, tolerance, reasoning, meritocracy and curiosity should replace those of expedience and tribal and regional bonding. Only when this begins to happen will we be on the right path.