A Distinguished Alumni Gathering at Amman Arab University (AAU) Highlights the Pharmacist’s Role in Combating Addiction
In a step that reflects Amman Arab University’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with alumni and supporting their professional journeys, the Faculty of Pharmacy, in collaboration with the Deanship of Student Affairs, organized a distinguished alumni gathering. The event brought together a number of pharmacy graduates with Professor Dr. Rana Abu Hweij, Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, and Dr. Mohammad Bin Turaif, Dean of Student Affairs, along with several academic and administrative staff members, reflecting a strong sense of belonging and sustained engagement.
The meeting was opened by Dr. Abu Hweij, who expressed her deep pride in the Faculty’s alumni, noting that their diverse achievements across various professional fields clearly reflect the impact of the Faculty and its academic mission. She emphasized that alumni serve as ambassadors of the University, playing a vital role in advancing the healthcare sector through their knowledge and expertise. She also highlighted the importance of maintaining continuous communication with alumni, considering them true partners in supporting the Faculty’s progress and development. In this context, she reviewed the Faculty’s key accomplishments and academic accreditations, which demonstrate its commitment to quality and excellence. She also announced the launch of a Master’s program in Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Affairs, as an advanced step aimed at preparing specialized professionals to meet the needs of the pharmaceutical sector and contribute to its advancement.
For his part, Dr. Bin Turaif emphasized the pivotal role of the Deanship of Student Affairs in supporting students and alumni by fostering a stimulating academic environment that enhances their skills, shapes their personalities, and develops conscious young leaders. He stressed the importance of strengthening continuous communication channels between the University and its graduates, contributing to their academic and professional growth and sustainability.
The gathering also featured an open and transparent panel discussion, during which alumni shared their professional experiences and addressed the key challenges they face in the labor market. They also presented several developmental suggestions aimed at enhancing academic programs and aligning them more closely with professional practice requirements.
The event further included a distinguished presentation by alumna pharmacist Palestinian Abdulsalam Tayem, representing the National Center for Mental Health / Addiction Rehabilitation Department, titled: “From Dispensing to Healing: The Pharmacist as a Partner in the Recovery Journey from Addiction.” In her presentation, she highlighted the critical role pharmacists play in addressing addiction, as a cornerstone in ensuring the safe and responsible use of medications and as active partners in supporting patients’ recovery journeys. She emphasized the importance of professional and ethical awareness among pharmacists, enabling them to guide patients toward adherence to treatment plans and provide proper pharmaceutical counseling, thereby reducing medication misuse and dependency. She also stressed the professional regulations governing the dispensing of addiction treatment medications, underscoring the necessity of strict compliance with medical instructions and regulatory frameworks, and the importance of dispensing such medications only within approved legal and supervisory frameworks to ensure a balance between treatment accessibility and community safety.
At the conclusion of the event, Dr. Abu Hweij expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the alumni for their active participation, which reflects their strong sense of belonging to the Faculty and the University. She also honored pharmacist Palestinian Abdulsalam Tayem with the Excellence Shield in recognition of her outstanding awareness efforts in combating addiction and supporting treatment and rehabilitation programs, contributing to raising public awareness and promoting a healthier society.
