Anwar Battikhi 2009

Anwar Battikhi

PhD '77, Soil Physics
Amman, Jordan

As an academic administrator, Anwar Battikhi (PhD ’77 soil physics) has been entrusted with almost all academic posts — from serving as a chair of an academic department to president of a state university in Jordan. In these positions, he has made preeminent contributions on both the national and international levels in educational leadership and policymaking.

A recognized expert in several agricultural disciplines, Battikhi has published widely in soil moisture and conservation, crop modeling, soil water measurements, soil physical properties, and irrigated crops and water harvesting.

Following 20 years as a faculty member and administrator at the University of Jordan (1977-1997), Battikhi was appointed president of the Hashemite University. During his stint as president he made significant changes in upgrading the university, including increasing the number of colleges (from three to eight), areas of specialization (from 17 to 54), faculty members (from 50 to 350) and students (from 2,000 to 13,000). He also increased the number of Hashemite scholars who received their doctorates from U.S., Canadian, and British universities from five to 150.

Just this past year, Battikhi was appointed Secretary General of The Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST). In his new role, he represents that organization and the Kingdom of Jordan before Arab, regional and international institutions, and bodies concerned with science and technology. HCST has a vital role in the strategic planning and policy-making in science and technology for the kingdom, defining its priorities, establishing related programs, connecting academic institutions with the private sector, and providing necessary funding for such activities.

Battikhi has received the Abdul Hamid Shouman Award for Young Agricultural Scientist in the Arab World and the Ministry of Education Medal of Honor. A member of seven honorary and scientific societies, he has served as president of the Jordan Society for Scientific Research and is a member of its Board of Trustees.

In addition to his Iowa State degree, Battikhi holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the American University in Beirut, Lebanon.

Battikhi is an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association. He and his wife, Sahar Alaeddin, live in Amman, Jordan. The couple has two children: Amer and Alaa’.