About Alumni 1. Introduce yourself? I am Ahmad Al Saif, holding a BSc in Mechanical Engineering (2011) and an MSc in Business Administration with a specialization in Marketing (2019), both from the University of Jordan. I have ten years of experience in the private sector, working with Izzat Marji Group and Total Jordan in their Renewable Energy and Commercial departments.
Together with my team, I have successfully implemented Alefredo Edtech’s mission in the EdTech industry across Jordan and the MENA region. Our digital platform serves school students of all grades, currently supporting 8,000 students in 16 countries. We provide educational support materials, interactive mock exams, and a marketplace for buying and selling academic books, available in both print and digital formats.
Our company is valued in the seven digits, and we have received several national and international awards for innovation and entrepreneurship. These include recognitions from UNDP, the Embassy of Switzerland in Jordan, and Plan International. Additionally, we were honored with the 30Under30 Unicorn Award and the Social Enterprise Award in 2021.
Previously, I founded Jo Drive, a carpooling application (2015-2018), and I have eight years of experience in the startup ecosystem and business landscape in Jordan and the MENA region.
| 2. Share your fondest memory from your time at Jordan University? Ahmad's fondest university memory was graduation day, celebrating together with his friends and professors.
| 3. In one word, how would you describe Jordan University? Community.
| 4. Explain how your experiences at UJ shaped you? The time I spent at university helped me build a good network with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enhancing my understanding of the community and improving my communication skills. Excellent professors like Dr. Majd Mhelan helped me author a book on Calculus 2, which sold more than 4,000 copies. Additionally, through volunteering work, I gained a deeper understanding of real life, organizations, and more. The high level of professors also helped us build long-term relationships with them, even after university, which is what the community is all about. Overall, it enhanced my communication skills and my ability to learn, which helped me secure a job from my first interview in the private sector.
| 5. Discuss what fascinated you about your chosen course of study? I liked that it had many practical life applications. It helps students develop problem-solving skills and logical thinking, allowing them to find solutions with minimal given data. Additionally, the various math courses we took made us excellent in mathematics, which positively impacted our practical lives and the ability to start businesses. | 6. Offer advice to graduating students preparing to enter the workforce? - Strengthen Communication Skills: Focus on enhancing your communication abilities as much as possible.
- Engage in Any Job Opportunities: Don't wait for your dream job; get involved in any available work opportunities.
- Be Proactive and Seek Knowledge: Attend various events and forums to expand your knowledge and network.
- Enhance Basic Skills: Improve essential skills such as English, Excel, email etiquette, and response management.
- Be Prepared for Opportunities: Opportunities are always present, but they seek those who are ready for them.
| 7. Reflect on what you wish you had known during your time as a student? I believe I was fortunate to realize early on that university is a place for personal development, expanding intellectual horizons, and building a network with fellow students and faculty. It is also an opportunity to get involved in volunteer projects and work. University is not just about exams and grades.
| 8. Identify the person who has had the greatest impact on your career? My Father Over the span of 70 years, my father has ensured a decent life and appropriate schooling and university education for me and my 10 siblings. He did this with relentless determination and dedication, without any effort required from any of us. Yes, ten individuals over many years, not just one or two. He gave us the opportunity to start our university and professional lives without worrying about life's basic necessities or starting off with significant debts and responsibilities from a young age. He was the barrier that shielded us from life's problems when we were young, such as paying for rent, school fees, and university tuition. He answered all our social, economic, and religious questions and inquiries tirelessly, always providing comprehensive explanations and answers that stuck in our minds.
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