 The foundation work at the University's site started in 1989, and by 1991 the University launched its academic programs in the faculties of Engineer, Pharmacy, Sciences, Financial and Administrative Sciences, Law, and Arts. The student population by then was 166. During the past seventeen years, the university realized distinctive progress qualitatively and quantitatively where new faculties have been established and new specialties offered in the process of satisfying the University's mission: to provide the community with trained and qualified manpower cognizant of the new developments worldwide. The University now comprises eight faculties, in addition to the Deanship of Research and Higher Studies and the Deanship of Student Affairs. Consequently, the number of specialties has increased to reach (28) subjects, in addition to two master programs: one in English Language and Literature, and the other in Computer Sciences.
A number of factors contributed to the remarkable increase in student population: 166 students in 1991 up to 7014 in 2009. The major factors are the quality of the academic programs offered, the Social Solidarity Fund set up to support needy students, the open channels for communication with the local community, and the good name the University has developed. Furthermore, the University has adopted a policy which takes good care of the academic staff and academic research, which has reflected positively on its academic position. The University has also gave no less importance to securing a campus that accommodates labs of different functions, play grounds, transportation, and other means of communication.
Three hundred and twelve (312) faculty members are in charge of teaching 7014 students at an almost ideal ratio: 1:22 students. The students enjoy pre- and post gradation services. On campus, there is a medical centre, a library, and different sports play grounds. There is also Students' Counseling Office and Solidarity Fund which takes care of those students who lost their financial sponsors.
In order to secure a permanent academic cadre in each faculty, the University's policy has stressed the need for sending MA holders of distinct academic standing to European and North American universities to obtain Ph.D's in required specialties at British, Canadian, and American universities. For the purpose of extending its role to the Jordanian academic community, the University has established the following awards:
· The Philadelphia University Award for a Distinctive Book
· The Philadelphia Award for the Best Translated book.
· The Philadelphia Award for the Best Computer Software.
· The Philadelphia Award for the Best Invention.
Among the indications of the University's academic excellence are the number of awards won in different fields, and its pioneering effort in developing and implementing the Quality Assurance programs for all the specialties, making it on a par with other well-established universities and institutes in the area and worldwide. The University was ranked: · The fourth best university among public and private universities in Jordan as per the Ranking Web of World Universities in 2007/2008.
· The first as valued by Al-Hussein Fund for Creativity and Excellence in Information Technology in 2003.
· The British Quality Assurance Committee has confirmed that Philadelphia University is still far ahead in information technology.
· First by Al-Hussein Fund for Creativity and Excellence in Law in 2006.
The University is also distinguished by its network of relations and memos of understanding with numerous institutes and universities in the Arab world, Europe, Australia, and America. It is also an active member in: · Arab Universities Union.
· International Universities Union.
· International E-Libraries Union.
· UNESCO's E-Learning Project.
· Arab - European Universities Union.
· Islamic Universities Union.
This strategic plan stems from the University's interest in strategic planning for further excellence, research, Quality Assurance, and scientific and social development. It also comes in response to the Ministry of Higher Education's guidelines set out by the Minister of Higher Education on October 2nd, 2007.
The plan was drafted by the Committee for Strategic Planning headed by Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. M. Awwad and membership of:
· Professor Saleh Abu Osba – Vice President for Administrative and Financial Affairs.
· Professor Mohammed Asfour – Dean of the Faculty of Arts.
· Professor Mahmoud Qeshta – Dean of Research and Higher Studies.
· Professor Marwa Ahmad – Dean of the Faculty of Administrative and Financial Sciences.
· Professor Qassem Al-Obaida – Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.
· Dr. Mohammed Mahafza – Acting Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology.
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