UJ students to be off Thursdays in summer

AMMAN — University of Jordan (UJ) students will be off on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays during the upcoming summer semester under a decision announced Sunday.

UJ’s council of deans decided to have four-day lecture weeks for students, while management staff working hours will start at 8am and end at 3pm every day, including Thursdays, according to a UJ statement.

Admission and Registration Unit Director Mohammad Shridah said the decision was based on a suggestion from the Student Union.

Shridah said lectures will be an hour and 15 minutes long instead of one hour during the summer semester, pointing out that if the move proves successful, the university will apply the decision in the fall and spring semesters.

He added that the decision will offer students more time to study and engage in extracurricular activities, and will also decrease traffic jams on Thursdays in areas surrounding UJ, since more vehicles enter the capital in summer with the influx of visiting expatriates and tourists.

The move will also enable the university to reduce infrastructure, electricity and water expenses.

Around 43,000 students are currently enrolled in UJ.