An MSU alumnus was named the fifth prime minister of Jordan last week.

Adnan Badran, a Jordanian who received both his master's and doctorate degrees from MSU in 1960 and 1963, respectively, was elected to the position on Thursday.

He replaces Faisal al-Fayez who resigned last week after reports of the king's disappointment about the pace of reforms.

"My plan is to strengthen peace with neighboring countries - try to get support," Badran told The State News in a telephone interview from Jordan. "It's a big task. I hope to succeed in this."

Jordan is a country in the Middle East with a population of about 5.6 million people. It neighbors Israel, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Iraq. King Abdullah II leads the country, above the prime minister.

Badran, 69, was a biology and physiology professor in Jordan and also president of the country's Philadelphia University. In the 1980s, he served as Jordan's minister of agriculture and education.

Badran said he will work on economic, social and jurisdiction reforms in the country. He also plans to push for human rights and more freedom of expression. One challenge he said the country is now facing is how to industrialize democracy reform.

The quality of Jordan's higher education is lacking, Badran said, adding that he plans to work on improving the country's colleges and universities.

Badran said that he misses life on MSU's campus from when he was a student more than 40 years ago, and he succeeded in persuading his son to apply to the university for his master's degree.

"I remember the harsh winters and the beautiful campus," Badran said. "I remember when I would run across the street for a cup of coffee as a graduate student and stay out late hours until 11 or 12 o'clock."

Office of International Students and Scholars assistant Director Rosemary Max said it isn't unusual for an MSU student to take on such a leadership role in another country.

"We have several of our graduates in leadership positions in sciences," Max said.

There are about 3,300 international students at MSU, Max said. She said many foreign students come to the United States to receive an education because the United States has the best educational opportunities in the world, along with great facilities.

Max said students' accomplishments, like Badran's, mean a lot to the university and its reputation.

"It's great," Max said. "It means more exposure that one of our students is prime minister of Jordan."

Badran advised those who want to take on a leadership role such as his new position as Jordan's prime minister to have courage.

"My advice is to be open, to try not to fear," Badran said. "Take the step; if we are afraid we will never move."

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Yvette Lanier can be reached at lanieryv@msu.edu.