1. Lets Stop University Violence
Universities are arguably the safest environment to study, think, and develop. This safe sanctuary
of an environment is sadly changing in several Jordanian universities where a new negative
phenomenon began to spread; University violence.
The meaning of university violence is different to each segment of students, but it’s basically the
practice of violence weather by physical assault, the use of harsh and inappropriate verbal words,
destroying university property, or any act that makes the university campus feel unsafe.
Global Network for Rights and Development understands the significance of this very dangerous
phenomenon. Therefore a campaign named “Let’s stop university violence” was launched by
GNRD-Amman to be the first organizations that take a step and communicate with the students in
order to understand their needs and their opinion on the reasons and solutions. The campaign
took action during two consecutive days, each day containing several activities that essentially
aim to connect to students themselves.
The first day consisted of interviews professors in the university and hearing their opinion on the
reasons and solutions to university violence. GNRD also interviewed the dean of the business
collage in the University of Jordan, in addition to interviewing several faculty members. Interviews
were also done with numerous students from different specialties and different backgrounds in
order to cover as much segments as possible. The second day was filled with activities such as
distributing awareness brochures containing advice of how to control anger and how to avoid
being caught in violent behaviors. Also, a booth was established with the name of the campaign
on it that succeeded to grab the attention of all the students surrounding. There was a banner to
show rejection to university violence acts and was signed on by students, and a white board that
students can write phrases weather funny or catchy that expressed how they felt about university
violence. All those activities are aimed to interact with students and let them know that they are a
vital part of the solution. GNRD successfully managed to establish the goals of the campaign which
are to include the students where more than 900 brochures were distributed and more than 200
students signed the banner.
What are the reasons of university violence?
Based on a study by the strategic and security center in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Reasons can vary, following are some of the reasons: Tribal and community fanaticism, Lack of
strong links between family members, and lacking the ability of persuasion and conversation to
get the students to what they want. It is also noticed that students with low GPA or academic
achievements tend to practice university violence. The reasons according to the teaching faculty
where all evolving around the fact that university students have too much free time that they
aren’t using it in productive actions so they tend to waste this energy in a negative way, as well as
the change in teaching methods where home works and projects aren’t being assigned to
students which also lead to too much free time. The reasons by students were either that there is
too much racism, favoritism, or the false understanding of the Tribal society.

2. One of the students expressed his opinion during the interviews saying: “I am in collage and
studying law because it had always been my dream to become a successful lawyer, but when I
first started university I was disappointed to see that I rarely find people who study out of passion
and that the competitive environment is weak which made me feel angry. In my opinion
disappointment is one of the reasons for practicing university violence.”
Another student also provided us with her opinion in one of the interviews: “There is no denial
that there are several issues in university and that we all face situations that make us angry, but
the mental gap in some of the students mind leads to thinking that the only way out of a bad
situation is using physical power. I wish those people understand that this reflects nothing but low
self confidence.”
What is the solution to university violence?
“University violence will not be solved in a single event or one period of time, it is a continuous
process that takes time and requires the full understanding and communication between students
and the teaching faculty” said Dr. Zu’bi Al-Zu’bi the dean of the school of business in the
University of Jordan. Establishing campaigns and programs that seek to eliminate university
violence needs understanding that these programs need to be continuous and gradual. This fact
was intensely emphasized by all faculty members interviewed.
The strategic and security center in Jordan suggested the following solutions: Spread Awareness
of the consequences of university students on cases of violence and riots, establish meetings
between GSS leaders and student leaders, hold seminars and workshops that aim to consolidating
security and stability within the university campus, and Deepening the meanings of love and
cooperation between the people of one nation.
Solutions from the professors’ point of view was to adjust the mechanism of students acceptance
in the university, motivate students by providing scholarships and extra curriculum activities, as
well as building the bridge of communication between professors and students so that they can
guide the students and let them that there is always a better way to blow off steam than violence.
Recommendations and Observations by GNRD team:
The goal of this campaign is to engage with students, understand their needs, and do the absolute
best to put an end to violent activities in universities starting with the biggest university in Jordan;
Jordan University (JU). In order to achieve the goals of the campaign, the Global Network for
Rights and Development team (GNRD) in cooperation with their Youth Groups (YGGNRD) closely
observed the behavior of students and their opinions. Following are some of the opinions:
• Ala’a Nazzal (YGGNRD): Honestly what I saw is a group of people blaming tribalism,
irritation, annoyance. Anything but take responsibility! In the end, behavior that roots
itself in anger cannot bear sweet fruits. As Dato Sri Vijay Eswaran said, “We can keep a
sword or a gun but never have to use it", so in my own point of view we must learn to
control our anger, because submitting to it is the real culprit. Instead, it is best to respond

3. with a positive attitude. The effect won’t be obvious immediately, but it is the start. To
reap a harvest of peace and justice in the future, we must sow seeds of non violence here
and now in the present, especially in respected places and times like universities.
• Mohammad Salameh (YGGNRD): In my opinion, the reason behind acts of university
violence is the free time with no positive place to unload the energy. I suggest establishing
several activities and discussion groups so that students can spend their free time at.
• Hani Sa’ad Al-Deen (YGGNRD): Through our campaign, I have seen many acts that don’t
reflect appropriate acts for students, such as the wrong understanding of “tribalism” and a
lot of wasted free time in the hands of the students. Extra curriculum activities are the key
to solve this issue, every person has abilities that can be and should be encouraged and
steered to shine.
• Hala Al-Jaghbeer (GNRD): From what I have witnessed, those who practice violence don’t
feel the extent of their acts due to lack of consequence and the lack of responsibility. The
solution in my opinions lies in developing the mentalities before developing only the
educational and academic part. Also, implement a strict punishment policy to those who
take violence lightly. Learning and developing in a safe environment is a right for all.
• Ala’a Saymeh (GNRD): In my opinion, the mechanism of student acceptance should be
changed. The quality of students to enter universities should be accepted based on both
mental growth and high academic scores.
Students in universities are the leaders of tomorrow; they are what lights the way of developing
and growth. They are tomorrow’s parliament members, defenders, ministers, governors, fathers
and mother. Throughout the campaign, it was very clear that the issue of university violence
disturbs many, and that violence is rejected in all its forms by both students and teaching faculty.
Global Network for Rights and Development (GNRD) truly believe in the abilities of all peoples, we
believe that the key to solve any challenge is by peace and communication not hatred and
violence. We hope that we can one day touch the change we profusely try to make, handing the
responsibility to the youth of our societies.