TUJ Dean Matthew Wilson (right) welcomes Jordanian Ambassador Nasser Shraideh (left) ahead of a special lecture held at TUJ.
- Over 50 students, faculty and staff attended a lecture by Ambassador Shraideh, gaining insights into Jordan-Japan relations and the situation in the Middle East.
- The Jordanian ambassador’s visit marked the third appearance by a top diplomat at TUJ this year
- These events are consistently popular among students and they often lead to lively discussions
Students at Temple University, Japan Campus (TUJ) had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Middle East during a lecture by Jordanian Ambassador to Japan, Nasser Shraideh. Held at a time of rising geopolitical tensions in the region, the lecture also offered insights into the more than 70-year diplomatic relationship between Jordan and Japan.
More than 50 students, faculty and staff attended the April 2, 2026 lecture. During the session, Ambassador Shraideh, who assumed his post in Japan last year, provided a detailed overview of the long-standing diplomatic ties between Jordan and Japan, which celebrated their 70th anniversary in 2024.
During his talk, Ambassador Shraideh emphasized Jordan’s intention to further strengthen ties with Japan by expanding bilateral trade, attracting increased Japanese investment and promoting tourism between the two countries. He also outlined Jordan’s history, political system and its role in the politically complex Middle East. Highlighting the country’s balanced foreign policy, he explained how Jordan seeks to avoid conflict while fostering regional stability and international cooperation.
Students Engage on Regional Issues
The ambassador went on to provide a thorough overview of the history of the Middle East, before concluding his lecture with a promotional video showcasing Jordan’s key features, including its initiatives to promote clean energy. The session then moved into a Q&A session, which drew several questions from focused on Jordan’s diplomatic relations with other countries in the region, as well as his views on how these relationships might be affected by the latest geopolitical tensions.
Regular Diplomatic Engagement
High-profile guests, including senior diplomats, government officials and representatives from international organizations regularly visit TUJ, providing students with valuable opportunities to engage in discussions on global affairs and gain insights from their professional and personal experiences. These events are consistently popular among students, particularly those interested in pursuing diplomatic careers and those majoring in political science and they often lead to lively discussions.
Ambassador Shraideh’s visit marked the third appearance by a top diplomat at TUJ this year, following visits from Germany’s ambassador Petra Sigmund in February and Iceland’s ambassador Hreinn Pálsson in March.
In addition to the ambassadors, TUJ welcomed Tshilidzi Marwala, rector of the United Nations University and United Nations undersecretary-general, in March this year. In July 2025, TUJ also hosted representatives from the Norwegian Nobel Committee, offering students a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the importance of peace and humanity. That same month, filmmaker Ema Ryan Yamazaki visited TUJ to screen her Oscar-nominated short documentary “Instruments of a Beating Heart”.
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- Temple Students Engage with Romanian Ambassador to Japan on NATO and EU — Third Visit by a Top Diplomat to TUJ in 2025 (November 13, 2025)