The American University of Madaba (AUM) was honored to welcome His Excellency Bishop Iyad Twal, Patriarchal Vicar for the Latin Church in Jordan, who delivered a special lecture addressing the evolving challenges facing Catholic higher education in an increasingly dynamic global context. The lecture was attended by members of the university’s academic and administrative leadership.

In his address, Bishop Twal underscored the essential role of Catholic universities in safeguarding their educational and humanitarian mission while promoting ethical values, open dialogue, and intellectual engagement. He emphasized the need for such institutions to continuously adapt to academic, technological, and societal developments in order to remain relevant and effective in fulfilling their mission.

The lecture was followed by a panel discussion chaired by Bishop Twal, featuring the participation of AUM Board of Trustees Chairman Eng. Azzam Shweihat and Acting University President Prof. Adi Arida. The discussion provided a platform for meaningful exchange on strategies to advance higher education, address institutional challenges, and strengthen collaboration between academic institutions and religious leadership.

The event concluded with a shared reaffirmation of the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration, highlighting the value of such engagements in fostering the exchange of perspectives and shaping a forward-looking vision for the future of higher education.