Latest news with #RoyalScientificSociety
Jordan Times
13-05-2025
- Science
- Jordan Times
Digital technology projects to strengthen refugee resilience in Jordan conclude
The Royal Scientific Society organises a final workshop for digital technology projects aiming at enhancing refugee resilience (Photo courtesy of the Royal Scientific Society) AMMAN — The Royal Scientific Society (RSS) has organised a final workshop for digital technology projects aiming at enhancing refugee resilience. Funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering-UK, the workshop was organised in collaboration with the University of Bradford, Applied Sciences Private University and Yarmouk University, according to a RSS statement. The event marked the completion of two main projects. The first project, Golden Thread to Sustainability, Inclusivity, Affordability and Futureproofing in Global South through Innovative Advancements in Net-Positive Housing (SIAH-NP), introduced a new model for housing in developing countries, focusing on sustainable, innovative, and affordable housing. The project views housing not just as shelter, but as a tool to promote sustainable development. It seeks to improve energy, water, and food systems, while also raising the quality of life in surrounding areas. SIAH-NP adopts a net positive approach, designing housing systems that create more environmental and socioeconomic value than they consume. This is achieved by integrating Modern Design Methods of Construction, circular economy principles, and smart decentralised systems. These components work together to minimise environmental impact and increase resilience to climate change. The second project, Community Mapping of the WEFE Nexus within Refugee Camps in Jordan (CoMAP), focuses on building community-based mapping frameworks for managing the water, energy, food, and ecosystems nexus in refugee camps, using Baqaa camp as a case study. It emphasises the role of community participation in mapping and decision-making for better resource planning and management. Despite earlier efforts in mapping, much of the existing data in refugee camps is either outdated or inconsistent. CoMAP highlights the need for updated, accurate geospatial data to support long-term planning. The workshop underlined the importance of these projects in improving refugee living conditions, promoting sustainability, and supporting social justice in refugee communities. It also emphasised their potential in helping policymakers, urban planners, and housing experts design practical solutions for the housing sector.
Jordan Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Arab Water Week conference kicks off with focus on sustainability, regional cooperation
Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud on Sunday inaugurates the Arab Water Week conference (Petra photo) AMMAN — On behalf of Her Highness Princess Sumaya Bint El Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society, Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud on Sunday inaugurated the Arab Water Week conference. The event brings together participants from around the world, including donor institutions, funding agencies, and stakeholders in the water sector, according to a Ministry statement. Held at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Centre at the Dead Sea, the conference is themed 'Towards Efficiency and Sustainability in Utilities through the Water, Energy, Environment, and Food Nexus.' It is organised by the Arab Water Utilities Association (AQUWA), in cooperation with the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the Arab Ministerial Water Council of the Arab League. In his opening remarks, Abu Saud emphasised Jordan's position as one of the most water-scarce countries in the world and outlined the growing challenges of water security and groundwater depletion. He highlighted the National Red Sea Desalination Project in Aqaba as a cornerstone of Jordan's strategy to ensure a sustainable and equitable water supply. The minister also pointed to national efforts to reduce water loss, prevent illegal usage, and adopt non-conventional water sources, stressing that such steps are vital to restoring groundwater levels and enhancing sector efficiency. He also underscored the importance of public-private partnerships, technological innovation, and community engagement in achieving long-term water sustainability. Abu Saud called for stronger regional and international cooperation to support sustainable development, enhance water and food security, and promote knowledge-sharing, technical training, and innovation. Egyptian Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sweilam said the conference reflects a growing awareness that regional challenges, especially in water, energy, environment, and food, are interconnected and must be tackled through a unified nexus approach. He noted that 19 of 22 Arab countries are classified as water-stressed, with most falling below the severe water poverty line of 500 cubic metres per capita annually. Citing a 2023 UN report, he said over 90 per cent of the Arab population faces critical water shortages, while 21 countries depend on transboundary water sources such as the Nile, Euphrates, and Jordan rivers, further complicating the region's water security due to geopolitical tensions. Yemeni Minister of Water and Environment Tawfiq Sharbaji commended Jordan and Egypt's water governance experiences and expressed Yemen's interest in adopting similar models to improve its own water and irrigation infrastructure. Secretary-General of AQUWA Khaldoun Khashman said that Arab Water Week has become a leading platform for dialogue among experts, policymakers, and private-sector leaders, facilitating cooperation and regional partnerships on pressing water-related issues. The five-day event features 35 technical sessions and over 160 international experts discussing topics such as smart water technologies, climate resilience, institutional reform, financial planning, and progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). On the sidelines of the conference, Minister Abu Saud and German Ambassador to Jordan Bertram von Moltke launched the Ministry's new digital e-library, aimed at expanding access to knowledge and supporting research in the water sector.
Jordan Times
19-02-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
RSS, Planning Ministry renew economic development programme 'IRADA'
HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, president of the Royal Scientific Society, and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan on Wednesday sign a cooperation agreement to implement and manage the 'IRADA' programme for 2025 (Petra photo) AMMAN — HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, president of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), and Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Zeina Toukan on Wednesday signed a cooperation agreement to implement and manage the "IRADA" programme for 2025, supported by a JD2.95 million funding commitment. IRADA, a national government initiative launched by the Ministry of Planning in 2002, has been implemented by the RSS since 2006 as part of the Economic and Social Productivity Enhancement Programme, which embodies the Royal vision to address the Kingdom's development challenges, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Princess Sumaya stressed that the agreement builds on IRADA's nearly 20-year track record of success under RSS management. She highlighted the programme's recent expansion to include an entrepreneurship and innovation component, initially targeting the governorates of Ajloun, Zarqa and Aqaba. The new component aims to empower youth to develop innovative entrepreneurial ideas addressing economic and environmental challenges, particularly in sectors aligned with the target regions' comparative advantages. Toukan cited "significant" achievements through IRADA's 27 centres across all governorates in the past year. The centres prepared 2,266 economic feasibility studies and supported the establishment of 1,567 projects. The programme connected 354 recent graduates with public and private sector training opportunities, issued 75 compliance certificates for various project products, and organised three entrepreneurship hackathons. The programme provides technical support services for individual projects and technical specifications for charitable associations, cooperatives and youth clubs. It also introduces quality concepts and applications for SMEs in areas such as Global Gap, HACCP and ISO standards, while developing a fellowship programme. IRADA implements a food product quality control project enabling home-based businesses to develop their products, enhance marketing capabilities, and boost competitiveness through laboratory testing at RSS facilities and compliance certification.
