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Jordan Times
05-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Prince El Hassan inaugurates regional conference on climate justice in Arab world
HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, President of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), on Monday inaugurates the regional conference titled 'Climate Justice in the Arab World: Where Do We Stand?' (Petra photo) AJLOUN — HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, President of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), on Monday inaugurated the regional conference titled 'Climate Justice in the Arab World: Where Do We Stand?' The three-day event, held in Ajloun Governorate, is organised by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC – Quakers) in partnership with the Royal Academy for Nature Conservation. In his opening remarks, Prince El Hassan called for redefining 'scarcity' as a driver of regional solidarity and cooperation, highlighting the Arab world's 'acute vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.' He also stressed that climate justice cannot be realised if communities are seen merely as recipients of aid, underscoring the need to empower people and foster dialogue to translate knowledge and expertise into community-led local action. Prince El Hassan also urged for an integrated resource management approach, linking water, food, energy and ecosystems, as a path toward sustainable outcomes that bolster both climate and food security. He also called on Arab governments to adopt this model as a regional policy. Highlighting the need for collective knowledge-sharing among Arab states, Prince El Hassan emphasised the importance of inclusive dialogue, good governance, and a holistic vision to balance human development with environmental protection and ensure a better future for the next generations. He also renewed his call to establish a regional socio-economic council that can reshape Western perceptions of the Levant (Mashreq) and represent the region internationally in ways that reflect its real needs and promote integration based on equity and mutual respect. AFSC Regional Director Khaled Kooz said that achieving climate justice in the region is inseparable from realising human justice. He noted that populations most affected by war and conflict in the Arab world are also the most exposed to the impacts of climate change. Kooz also stressed the need to link human rights and environmental justice, noting that protecting human rights must be a priority in all development and environmental initiatives. He added that the conference is part of AFSC's broader 'Regional Dialogue' programme, which aims to build bridges among diverse communities and promote shared understanding of key regional issues. He emphasised that the complex challenges facing the region require collective, cross-border solutions rather than isolated efforts. The conference gathers experts, researchers, academics, environmental activists, and civil society representatives from Jordan, Palestine, and Lebanon. It features discussions on climate change, environmental justice, historical and political contexts, and the role of active movements working on environmental and climate issues in the Arab world.
Jordan Times
24-04-2025
- Science
- Jordan Times
Prince El Hassan honours winners of El Hassan Bin Talal Award for Scientific Excellence
HRH Prince El Hassan, chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology, on Thursday honours the winners of the 2025 Hassan bin Talal Award for Scientific Excellence (Petra photo) AMMAN — HRH Prince El Hassan, chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), on Thursday honoured the winners of the 2025 El Hassan bin Talal Award for Scientific Excellence, now in its 29th edition, in the presence of HRH Princess Sarvath Hassan. This year's award recognised outstanding institutions in the field of vocational and technical education, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra. Addressing the gathering, Prince Hassan highlighted the founding vision of the award to promote innovation, continuity and meaningful change that uplift individuals across the Kingdom. "The goal is for every citizen, regardless of location, to feel part of a greater whole," the prince said. He commended the winning projects for promoting human dignity and transforming creative ideas into practical tools that serve the public interest and support national development. Prince Hassan also stressed the importance of integrating different skills into vocational training and aligning vision, legislation and implementation to improve the overall health of society. HCST Secretary-General Mashhoor Rifai described the award as a national success story that continues to inspire innovation in Jordan's education and science sectors. The first prize was jointly awarded to Al Balqa Applied University's Al Salt Technical College for its "Smart Communication Bridge" project, which uses artificial intelligence to convert sign language into text and speech and vice versa, improving communication for the hearing impaired. The second winner of the first prize is Mafraq's Rahbeh Rakkad Comprehensive Secondary School for Boys for its "Rahbeh Skills Platform", an interactive e-learning initiative aimed at developing modern skills and supporting digital transformation in education. The second prize was shared by Irbid's Zarnouji Vocational Secondary School for Boys for designing a "Double-Acting Reciprocating Pump" as a sustainable alternative to electric pumps in agricultural areas, and Amman's Manshiyet Hesban Mixed Secondary School for its "Nashmiyat" project. The project empowers female students to produce and sell handmade crafts through a digital platform that promotes entrepreneurship and economic independence. The third prize was awarded to Mafraq Industrial Secondary School for Boys for its "Wood Reborn" project, which recycles wood waste into educational tools and interactive games, combining sustainability with hands-on learning.
Jordan Times
28-01-2025
- Health
- Jordan Times
Prince El Hassan inaugurates expansion of national centre for diabetes
HRH Prince El Hassan, Chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), on Tuesday inaugurates the new expansion of the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics (Petra photo) AMMAN — HRH Prince El Hassan, Chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), on Tuesday inaugurated the new expansion of the National Center for Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Genetics. During the ceremony, attended by heads of several institutions and organisations, Prince El Hassan emphasised the critical need for networking, coordination, and integration among medical sectors to deliver multidisciplinary healthcare that enhances the quality of services and fosters excellence "It is time to move beyond institutional isolation and adopt an integrative approach that fosters cooperation and collective effort," he said. The Prince highlighted the importance of holistic and inclusive healthcare, underscoring the interconnected nature of institutions with overlapping and complementary specializations. He also stressed the need to prioritise scientific research, leveraging it to nurture and invest in the country's most valuable asset—its human capital. Prince El Hassan also called for strengthening cooperative, interdisciplinary efforts across scientific research centres, particularly in applied sciences, to advance healthcare solutions and innovation. Following the inauguration, Prince El Hassan toured the newly expanded facility, visiting various departments, including the institute, the ophthalmology clinic, the cardiology clinic, and the laboratories. President of the National Center for Endocrinology, and Genetics Diabetes Kamel Ajlouni underscored the centre's foundational commitment to scientific principles. He said that a 1995 study revealed that 25 per cent of Jordanians over the age of 25 suffer from diabetes, with many also experiencing hypertension, obesity, and high cholesterol. Ajlouni also noted the centre's accomplishments, including the completion of fellowships in diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolism by 36 physicians between 1996 and 2025, as well as the publication of 201 scientific research papers by the centre's physicians.
