Jordan: MPs to examine amendments to 4 draft laws

Lawmakers are scheduled to look into amendments to four draft laws introduced by two Lower House permanent committees during today's session. Deputies will discus the Financial and Economic Committee's amendments to the 2011 transferable assets draft law. During their deliberations on the legislation, members of the committee recommended pledging current assets as collateral. Also today, MPs are secluded to discuss the committee's amendments to the 2011 draft competitiveness law. In a statement to The Jordan Times last week, the head of the committee Deputy, Ayman Majali (Karak, 2nd District), said members of the panel approved the legislation as referred from the government with some amendments. In addition, lawmakers will examine amendments to the Higher Education and Scientific Research Law introduced by the House Education, Youth and Culture Committee. Also on today's agenda is the draft law amending the Universities Law which members of the committee approved last week. In a recent meeting with presidents of public universities, His Majesty King Abdullah called on each university to draw up an action plan of its own to achieve higher education reform. Following the meeting, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in cooperation with university presidents prepared the 2012-2015 action plan which seeks to develop the quality of education and produce qualified people who can meet the market needs and compete locally, regionally and internationally. Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Wajih Owais noted last week that the plan entails a recommendation to amend laws governing higher education, such as the Higher Education and Scientific Research Law and the Universities Law to ensure the independence of universities through providing the boards of trustees with more academic, administrative and financial authority. Last week, the head of the committee, Nidal Katamine (Tafileh, 1st District) said members of the panel approved the two laws as referred from the government with some amendments.