A prominent figure in the educational realm, Haifa Hajjar Najjar has taken a definitive endeavor to reshape education in Jordan. A member of the Jordanian Senate for the second session, the Superintendent of the Ahliyyah School for Girls and the Bishop’s School for Boys and selected amongst the most powerful women in Jordan in the Jordan Business Magazine. She is also the head of the Technical Committee of The Queen Rania Award for Excellence in Education, the President of The Business and Professional Women Association in Amman, and a member of the Council of Education in Jordan.
Mrs. Najjar was a founding member of the Board of Trustees of The King’s Academy, a member of the Economic and Social Council in Jordan and the Head of its Educational Policies Committee, and a Board Member of The Greater Municipality of Amman in addition to many others.
Women Fitness President talks to the Jordanian Senator about her dreams, fitness & lots more!
Namita Nayyar:
Driven by your passion, mission and love for giving, you are a Jordanian Senator and the General Director of the Ahliyyah School for Girls and the Bishop’s School for Boys in Amman. Walk us through your incredible professional journey so far.
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
The passion to be in service of others and make a difference in people’s lives began at my home, inspired by my mother and culture. Professionally, I began my journey as head of the KG at the Ahliyyah School for Girls. It was there that I realized the extent to which adopting a learner’s mind-set is the strongest ingredient for growth: personal and collective. This lesson is my major driving force so far: healthy growth is mutual growth of an individual within their community, where giving and taking is their everyday bread. Moving on to becoming Superintendent of Ahliyyah, then Superintendent of the Ahliyyah, the Bishop, and the Ahliyyah and Bishop KG, every day is born with new lessons to learn, the utmost being to love life and generously give it your whole self. My biggest pleasure is in serving my country through the positions I assume and not in the positions themselves.
Namita Nayyar:
Introduce us to a day in your multi-dimensional life.
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
It seems any given day begins but never ends. A day in my life begins with morning coffee with the family, physical exercise at the gym, tending to our schools and fulfilling any other items on my daily agenda. I also make time for socializing, reading, and contemplating on my day.
Full interview is continued on next page
This interview is exclusive and taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness
Namita Nayyar:
What is the role of fitness and exercise in your life?
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
It is an essential part of my daily routine, as I consider it part of my duty towards myself and others. Being fit and healthy means serving better and sustaining my ability to meet the needs and requirements of others.
Namita Nayyar:
Do you take some special diet or have a strict menu that you follow to remain healthy and physically fit?
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
Although I enjoy tasty food and tasty food is rarely calorie-free, I do keep a watch on its being healthy as much as possible. Nevertheless, I would never hesitate to join in eating with those I love regardless of the restriction. Moderation is key to enjoying and benefiting from what you eat.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you think of the participation of women in leadership and decision-making positions in Jordan, and how do you wish to empower more women?
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
Jordan is on the right track with regards to opportunities for women to assume leadership decision-making roles. However, I do realize the extent to which women need to sacrifice and toil to reach these positions. I truly hope that by modelling my beliefs in being a productive citizen through my work, I am empowering women. Through education, my colleagues and I adopt the mission of empowering youth, not only women. By empowering both young men and women through knowledge, opportunities and choices, we are empowering the whole community to develop and be productive.
Namita Nayyar:
You are considered amongst the Most Powerful Jordanian Women. How does it make you feel when you are regarded with such high honor and you are able to influence the lives of so many individuals who look up to you?
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
I am both humbled and honoured. I consider it an essential obligation, but when I receive comments or remarks that I have been able to personally inspire someone, I am deeply touched, and this drives me to want to do more.
Namita Nayyar:
How challenging is managing two of the most prestigious schools in the Kingdom despite holding many other positions?
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
When one is driven with the passion to contribute to the wellbeing and success of other, the challenge becomes an opportunity. I consider the schools my first home that birthed the person I am today. If all other positions were to be shed, my identity as an educator will always last.
Namita Nayyar:
Tell us about your Top 5 Career Tips For Women Entrepreneurs.
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
1. dare to try
2. learn and know yourself, others involved, and your steps well
3. be guided by your beliefs that you will succeed
4. be fair, ethical, and passionate
5. see you goal with your inner eye and aim at it with unsurpassed determination
Namita Nayyar:
Share with us your views on the role of education in one’s life.
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
Education is a means to understand, savour, and make use of life. It is an everlasting journey for those who are life-long learners.
Namita Nayyar:
Any advice or motivational words for the inspiring and budding working women, who all are your fans and shall like to know from you for their climb to the ladder of success in this field?
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
Be ethical in your dealings, directed by a personal and collective mission, and do not fear to hope, dream, and take well-informed risks. But most importantly work with others for other to be productive and feel fulfilled.
Namita Nayyar:
You have been awarded the Al Hussein Medal for Distinguished Contribution; the Al Hassan bin Talal Award for Academic Excellence; the King’s Academy Member Founding Board of Trustees Award presented by His Majesty King Abdullah II; the European Council of International Schools (ECIS) Award and many more for your exceptional service, tell us how have you been able to achieve and quench your thirst of giving back to the society through your endeavors?
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
Since in the journey of life multiple paths intertwine, when you are genuine about endeavours, they bud and sprout into branches that carry the fruit of your efforts. Sometimes these are planned, and sometimes others emerge as a natural by-product. I cannot claim such achievements were accomplished easily, but I can say they were pleasurable to reap, particularly that they wouldn’t have been possible without the collaborative efforts of all those who supported me. These acknowledgements are a testimony to the collective success of us all.
Namita Nayyar:
What do you wish to say about the website Womenfitness.net and message for its visitors?
Haifa Hajjar Najjar:
It is a rich website for those who seek to know and learn. One of the Mantra’s I repeat is “I am because you are.” Womenfitness.net reminds me of this.
This interview is exclusively taken by Namita Nayyar President womenfitness.net and should not be reproduced, copied or hosted in part or full anywhere without an express permission.
All Written Content Copyright © 2019 Women Fitness