Jordanian researcher Dr. Sanaa Mahmoud Salem Al-Samadi, faculty member at the School of Educational Sciences at the University of Jordan, has won the Khalifa Award for Education in its 18th cycle (2025) in the category of Educational Research. Her achievement stood out among submissions from 48 countries across the Arab world and beyond, marking a significant academic milestone and reinforcing the University of Jordan's contribution to educational development on both regional and global scales.
Dr. Al-Samadi received the award in recognition of her applied scientific research, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Nasreen Mohammad Hameed Al-Jaafrah from the Ministry of Education. The study, titled:
“The Impact of Using AI-Based Educational Applications on Enhancing English Speaking Skills Among Jordanian Basic Stage Students and Their Perceptions Along with Teachers' Views",
addresses one of today's most pressing educational challenges in light of rapid digital transformation. The research explores the potential integration between artificial intelligence and language teaching, through a field study measuring the effectiveness of AI-powered applications in developing students' speaking abilities and gathering feedback from both students and teachers.
This international recognition underscores the University of Jordan's and the School of Educational Sciences ' commitment to supporting high-impact research, and to delivering innovative educational solutions rooted in technology and knowledge—aligned with the goals of modern education. It also showcases the excellence of Jordanian women and national educational experts in prestigious global forums.
Commenting on the achievement, Prof. Mohammad Sayel Alzyoud, Dean of the School of Educational Sciences , expressed his pride in this well-deserved recognition, stating that Dr. Al-Samadi's award is a culmination of academic dedication and research perseverance. He affirmed that this honor reflects the scientific stature of both the faculty and the university on Arab and international levels, and further reinforces the Faculty's role as a hub for educational innovation and a think tank for shaping research-based educational policies.
Dr. Al-Samadi, for her part, voiced her gratitude and pride, describing the award as a motivator to continue contributing to educational innovation, and to develop research initiatives that enhance teaching quality and keep pace with the digital age. She reaffirmed her commitment to the University of Jordan's mission of leadership and knowledge advancement.
The Khalifa Award for Education, considered one of the most prestigious awards in the Arab and global educational fields, seeks to promote excellence and innovation by honoring influential initiatives and impactful research that contribute meaningfully to the advancement of education in the Arab world.