Latest news with #HigherCouncilforScienceandTechnology
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
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Prince El Hassan calls for establishing regional mechanism for security, cooperation
Prince El Hassan speaks on Wednesday at the conclusion of a three-day workshop in Amman titled 'Nuclear Security in the Middle East and North Africa: Keeping Pace with an Evolving World (Petra photo) AMMAN — HRH Prince El Hassan, chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) called for the creation of a regional mechanism for cooperation and security, based on shared humanity, pluralism and the geopolitical realities of the Middle East. His remarks came on Wednesday at the conclusion of a three-day workshop in Amman titled 'Nuclear Security in the Middle East and North Africa: Keeping Pace with an Evolving World'. The event was organised by the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission in partnership with the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Prince El Hassan said that regional cooperation is not only a strategic requirement but also a moral obligation. He stressed the need for a broader, more connected understanding of security — one that includes water, energy, food and the environment. 'Nuclear safety cannot be addressed in isolation,' he said, 'but must be part of a wider dialogue on sustainable development'. He also emphasised that the future of nuclear and human security relies on science, cultural understanding, and communication across generations. During the closing session, NTI vice president for nuclear materials security, scott Roecker, and IAEA director of nuclear security, Elena Buglova, both highlighted the importance of regional collaboration, knowledge sharing, and joint planning to improve nuclear security and promote regional stability. In a joint statement issued at the end of the workshop, Prince El Hassan and NTI CEO Dr Ernest J. Moniz, who is also a former US secretary of energy, stressed the urgent need for international cooperation to manage nuclear risks. 'Nuclear security challenges cross borders,' the statement read, 'and require action built on trust and cooperation'. The statement described the workshop as a historic first for the region, focused on managing sensitive nuclear materials in a complex and fastchanging geopolitical environment. It praised Jordan's leadership in hosting the event and its recognised role as a regional centre for peaceful nuclear technology training. The discussions focused on the peaceful use of nuclear energy as a way to enhance security and stability. The IAEA acknowledged Jordan's growing role in training newcomer countries in the safe use of nuclear technologies. The workshop, the statement added, was a rare opportunity to highlight nuclear energy priorities from the Middle East to the wider world — especially since nuclear security summits have been largely absent from the region, unlike major climate forums such as the COP meetings. With nuclear energy expected to grow as a tool for addressing climate change and energy security, the ideas presented at the workshop offer a responsible roadmap for safe expansion. The regional vision discussed in Amman also highlighted the importance of the Water-Energy-Food-Environment (WEFE) Nexus as a tool for building long-term peace and sustainable development. 'The WEFE approach offers a holistic way to stabilise the region through cooperation rather than conflict,' the statement said, adding that this initiative could serve as a model for other regions facing similar challenges. 'We encourage world leaders to adopt this spirit of cooperation,' the statement concluded. 'Let the work achieved here in Amman be a starting point for deeper partnerships. Together, we can ensure nuclear technologies are used safely and sustainably— and reduce risks through shared commitment, dialogue, and mutual respect.'
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
07-04-2025
- Health
- Jordan Times
Prince El Hassan calls for positioning Jordan as regional hub for health services
HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, Chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology, on Sunday visits the World Health Organisation headquarters in Jordan (Petra photo) AMMAN — HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, Chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology, on Sunday visited the World Health Organisation (WHO) headquarters in Jordan, where he called for positioning Jordan as a regional hub for health services. During the meeting attended by WHO Representative in Jordan Jamela Raiby, Chairman of the Senate Health Committee Yassin Husban, former minister of education and minister of higher education and scientific Research Walid Maani, former minister of health Saad Jaber and WHO staff, Prince El Hassan stressed the importance of developing standardised models to monitor and evaluate health needs and achievements across the region, thereby enhancing Jordan's role in regional health cooperation Prince El Hassan also underlined the need for clear, targeted health goals and robust national partnerships to realize a comprehensive, humane health vision, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. He also emphasised the significance of including mental health as an integral part of broader healthcare efforts, advocating for regional, cross-border collaboration in health advancement. On health emergency preparedness, he stressed the necessity of adopting scientific methods, including statistical tools, to identify risks, propose proactive solutions, and minimize impacts before crises emerge. He also highlighted the vital role of international and humanitarian organisations in reducing the adverse effects of conflicts and wars on affected populations. For her part, Raiby affirmed that the WHO's accomplishments in Jordan align with national health priorities and reflect the goals outlined in the Economic Modernisation Vision and the joint country strategy between Jordan and the WHO. She highlighted four key objectives of the WHO's work in Jordan: ensuring universal health coverage with an emphasis on primary healthcare and financial protection; promoting public health awareness and cooperating with national stakeholders, particularly youth, on issues such as mental health, smoking, and substance abuse. Additionally, the WHO aims to strengthen preparedness and response to health emergencies, drawing on the organisation's support during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as enhancing the use of data to guide effective health policies and decision-making.
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.
