His Excellency Abdul Karim Al-Kabariti
Pro-Chancellor, distinguished friends, colleagues, graduands and guests.
His Excellence Abdul Karim Al-Kabariti has spent his career making a significant contribution to not only the financial sector in the Middle East, but also the political process in Jordan and the notion of education for all.
Born in Amman, Jordan, Mr. Kabariti's Father, Alawi Kabariti, was an entrepreneur with a vision ahead of his time. He was one of the first hotel owners in the Red Sea region in the City of Aqaba as well as the founder of a financial services company based in his home town in Aqaba. It is therefore no surprise that Mr Kabariti has inherited much of that drive and determination.
Growing up with a firm interest in geology, poetry and politics, Mr Kabariti completed his primary and secondary education in Amman before studying geology for four years at the American University of Beirut. From there, he moved to America to complete a BA Honours in Business and Finance at St Edwards University in Austin, Texas.
Mr Kabariti was destined for a career in politics and was elected to Parliament in 1989. He served as Minister of Labor and Tourism before his appointment to Foreign Minister in 1995.
He was a member of the Twelfth and Eleventh Jordanian Parliament from 1993-1997 and 1989-1993 respectively, during which time she was the Head of the Economics and Finance committee from 1993-1995.
In 1996 he was appointed as Prime Minister by the late King Hussein bin Talal and it was during this period that he was instrumental in forging solid relations with the Gulf States and Jordan. Mr Kabariti was also recognised for his positive attitude towards reform and his openness towards journalists.
After leaving government, Mr. Kabariti was identified by the majority shareholders of JKB, KIPCO, a large Kuwaiti holding company, predominantly owned by the Kuwaiti royal family, and was asked to lead the bank in Jordan. Under his leadership, the bank has enjoyed exponential growth in asset size and profitability. This has resulted in KIPCO increasing its investments in Jordan in the real-estate, insurance and commercial sectors and has underlined Mr Kabariti’s status as a leader in the financial sectors.
Though he has met many individuals in his long and distinguished career, Mr Kabariti cites two men as being the most inspirational influences. He describes His Excellence, the late Ahmad Al Louzi, a former Jordanian Prime Minister and Chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Jordan, as a ‘highly-sincere and well-educated man’ who was ‘an educator, a lover of science’ and a ‘visionary passing on his wisdom to generations.’ His second nomination is HRH the late King Hussein; a visionary leader who guided his country through strife and turmoil to become a haven of peace, stability and moderation in the Middle East – possessing the values that Mr Kabariti himself believes in.
Mr. Al Kabariti is a strong supporter of education and has continued to sponsor many under privileged exceptional children in their quests for secondary and undergraduate studies. In his spare time, he enjoys fitness, particularly weight training, reading and water sports.
He has been married to his high school sweetheart Fatina for 39 years and is the proud father of a daughter, Nour, and son, Awn. He is a loving and devoted grandfather to Badwa and Sameeh, all whom are here with us today to celebrate the achievements of their beloved husband, father and grandfather.
For his significant contribution to the financial sector across the Middle East and for his commitment to education and the political process in Jordan, Coventry University, by decision of the Academic Board, has the privilege of conferring the Honorary Doctor of Business Administration, honoris causa, on HE Abdul Karim Al-Kabariti.