Jordanian universities awarded $445,000 research grants in energy, healthcare

A picture shows on September 6, 2018 a view of the Hamdan al-Qara mosque in southern Amman, equiped with 140 solar panels on its roof. (File/AFP)
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  • Initiative aims to tackle challenges in development and sustainability

AMMAN: Seven Jordanian universities have been granted a total of £350,000 ($445,000) to support collaborative research projects in the fields of energy and healthcare, Jordan News Agency reported on Monday.

The funding comes from the Industrial Scientific Research and Development Fund under Jordan’s Higher Council for Science and Technology, in partnership with the British Royal Academy of Engineering.

The 2024 Transforming Systems through Partnership program has awarded each of the following universities a £50,000 grant: the Royal Scientific Society, Al-Balqa Applied University, Al Hussein Technical University, Hashemite University, Yarmouk University, Mutah University and Philadelphia University. These grants will facilitate joint research efforts with Cranfield University, De Montfort University, Coventry University, University College London, Aston University, Northumbria University and the University of Bath.

The initiative aims to tackle challenges in development and sustainability. Mashhour Refai, secretary-general of HCST, underscored the enduring partnership with the academy, highlighting the role of academia-industry collaboration in bolstering the national economy through applied scientific research.

Rima Ras, director of the fund, remarked on the program’s effect in enhancing the research and innovation capabilities of Jordanian universities and national institutions. She said that a panel of Jordanian and British experts reviewed 22 applications, ultimately selecting seven projects for funding.

This year’s program includes participation from Jordan, South Africa and Thailand. Since its inception, five rounds of the program have been conducted in Jordan in collaboration with the academy, supporting 34 projects with a total funding of more then £2 million.