 ordan’s King Abdullah is all too aware of the many changes
taking place in today’s world, and the challenges they create. His timely foresight
on the importance of education as a means of providing insight and understanding for new
generations is unique. Not just for the young people of Jordan and its neighbors, but for
those around the world as well.
 The excitement and anticipation of students who
travel to other countries to expand their education is unsurpassed. Those who come to the
Middle East find an expanse of knowledge that can only be matched by the Internet.
However, the Internet does not provide that feeling of "been there and did it
myself." Of the 110,000 students who graduate from Jordan’s schools, colleges
and universities, the majority seeks higher education opportunities in the United States.
Providing further enlightenment to the complexities of finding harmony in a multi-cultural
society, as well as the possibility of visiting the natural wonders of our continent.
While the Age of Technology can provide information, it will never be able to replace
personal experience.
Thus, the Second
International Education Exhibition in Amman, March 5-7, 2000, will be center stage for all
learning institutions wishing to fill classrooms, and students who wish to fill their
minds and souls.
The Exhibition will be held
at R.A.M.S. (Rawdat al-Maaref Schools and Colleges) in Amman, Jordan celebrating their
104th year. Owned and operated by the Barakat family (mother – Naimeh Barakat, and
son – Basem J. Barakat are on the cover in front of the Amman Campus), this unique
institution was established in Jerusalem in 1896, and now has campuses in Amman and
Jeddah. The campus of the Mother College is a 2200-year old building featuring Romanesque
architecture constructed during the Roman occupation as a Governor’s Palace. It is at
this site that Christ was sentenced to be crucified, and is the first station (gathering
point) of the Via Dolorosa (procession with the cross) to Calvary. The campuses in Amman
and Jeddah retain the picturesque appeal of the Old World while offering the finest
facilities to a New World. Full cafeteria and restaurant facilities (varied menus), the
most efficient and up to date technologies, temperature controlled living quarters with
modern conveniences, curriculums to meet the needs of any career plans, extensive library
facilities, buses with computerized instruction capabilities, state of the art
laboratories and computer networks. It is a first class educational village by all
standards.
It is anticipated that over
150 American, Canadian, Australian, British, and other European Universities as well as 20
leading world publishers, 20 educational supply corporations, and 40,000 interested
scholars will participate in this notable event. All will be as interested in the beauty
and history of the region, as in the opportunities to be gleaned from the Exhibition.
Participants will want to extend their visits to further appreciate the facilities and the
surrounding areas. The RAMS is sure to present a stiff competition to all institutions
represented at the exhibition.
While Jordan’s bustling
cities are connected by the 3,000-year old King’s Highway, today’s visitors are
awestruck by the vast resort-style hotels and spas available to fulfill their every dream.
The diversity of cultures found among the residents of the Holy Land confirms the
capability for acceptance, and willingness to over-come adversity. However, the real story
began with time itself.
One recent discovery
places man in the area now known as the Holy Land, as much as 700,000 years ago. The
10,000-year old fertile valleys of the Decapolis provide a mere glimpse of the
agricultural wealth of the region. Jerash’s "Street of Columns" is but a
peek at the early Roman influences also seen in Amman’s Citadel. Amman also hosts
Rainbow Street’s turn of the century villas, shops, suqs (markets), and coffeehouses
which add atmosphere to a very specialized cuisine.
The first station of the Via
Dolorosa starts at the RAMS School in Jerusalem.Top of next column 
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The Fortress of Petra.
Madaba’s
Greek Orthodox Church of St. George is the window to the Byzantine Era with its intricate
mosaic map of the Holy Land blanketing the floor. The Dead Sea offers unique views from
400 feet below sea level and a resort hotel with mineral spas said to have vast healing
qualities.
The Fortress of
Petra’s 140 foot high rose hued walls of the Treasury hand-carved centuries ago by
only the most highly skilled stone cutters attest to talents which are yet to be tapped.
Desert safaris to natural preserves on the original four-wheel drives—Camels, and the
water wonderland of Aqaba—Jordan’s "Window to the Sea," gives visitors
overwhelming views of flora and fauna both in and out of the water, including rare plants
and fish. And yes, there are a variety of pleasures for the palate as well as the eyes. A
diverse people make for an equally diverse cuisine with many tasty examples.
However, while we tempt the body with a multitude of
pleasures, let’s not forget to indulge the mind and soul. The Holy Land is more than
one area, and Israel, Palestine, and others contribute to it mysteries. Jerusalem (the
beginning of the Holy Land) contains a variety of knowledge and spiritual entrées that
could take another millennium or so to reveal. Something which future generations will
need to study in order to protect and preserve their findings. Bethlehem and
Qumrhan’s histories include the birthplace of Jesus, and the site where the Dead Sea
Scrolls were found, each holding different yet equal importance for today and
tomorrow’s children.
The Holy Land and other
surrounding regions provide such an expanse of study topics that only on rare occasions
would two students come to the same conclusions or findings. What better place could there
possibly be to hold the opening of the highly acclaimed RAMS Exhibition? It establishes a
firm foundation for sharing the fruits of the mind, compassion of the soul, and the
talents of the body for future millenniums, and perhaps throughout time.
 His Late Majesty King Hussein said, "Human
beings are the most precious of all." Possibly King Abdullah would add that even more
precious is the infinite knowledge and wisdom that only they possess and can share.
Sharing of expertise, professionalism, experiences, knowledge, and perhaps the special
feeling of friendship. Learning of one’s past and improving the future. Preparing the
road to world understanding. This is what education is all about, it’s what the
International Education Exhibition hopes to accomplish. LVN
For further information on the exhibition
in Amman, Jordan, please contact Las VegaN magazine at 1-800-299-2113 or 702-792-4036.
The campus in Jeddah, Saudi
Arabia.
The original campus built over
2,200 years ago.
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