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The students' branch of IEEE "Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers" at Hajjawi Faculty for Engineering hosted the 12th edition of IEEEextreme Global Programming competition that lasted for 24-hours. The Dean of the faculty Prof. Ahmad Al Shamaly and the Dean's Assistant for Quality Control Dr. Yazan Al-Issa supervised the competition and provided all the necessary equipment for 160 contestants representing 14 Jordanian universities with the support of more than 40 volunteers who worked around the clock, noting that Princess Sumaya University ranked 4th and 8th in the world among the 4000 participating teams.
The President met the "Newton-Khalidi Fund" officer Dr. Giathri Warna Suria, and Dr. Fiona Butters from the British Embassy in Amman to discuss procedures for benefitting from the fund grants.
At the meeting, Kafafi focused on the interest of researchers at the university in conducting outstanding research projects supported by various international agencies in different fields of study which would positively reflect on the career and knowledge of researchers. He stated that the cooperation between the university and the Newton-Khalidi Fund would provide an opportunity for researchers in both Jordan and the UK to collaborate in the field of research and joint scientific projects and he pointed to the need of reconsidering the procedures for providing support for Jordanian researchers.
Giathri pointed that the fund is ready to reconsider the procedures of support since she is interested in attracting the largest number of researchers to benefit from grants offered by the fund stressing the importance of benefiting from the expertise of Yarmouk's distinguished researchers in various fields of science. Further, she presented a lecture to a number of faculty staff members about the establishment of the "Newton Fund" pointing that the fund located in Jordan was called "Newton-Khaldi Fund" to celebrate the Jordanian Biochemist Dr. Osama Al-Khalidi. Giathri added that the fund under the supervision of the British Cultural Board and in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education launched a new research link that aims to focus on five areas identified by the Ministry as priorities for long-term sustainable development in Jordan including: water sustainable management, renewable energy, sustainable food production, Biotechnology and Biosecurity, and Nanotechnology. The program supports Jordanian universities and Jordanian researchers through linking them with British partners to provide grants from the "Newton-khalidi Fund".
HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal, President of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), called for the use of nanotechnology to develop innovative policies and scenarios that will enable us to address the challenges facing the region.
The Ninth Conference of the Petra International School of Physics at the University of Jordan was held through cooperation between the University of Jordan, Yarmouk University and The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, based in Italy. During his sponsorship of the conference which came under the title (Nanotechnology: Basics and Applications), Prince El Hassan affirmed the importance of the concept of ethics in science and innovation which aim to place human at the top priorities.
Prince El Hassan also referred to the importance of using the nanotechnology due to its impact on various sectors and fields in life and science stressing the need to develop the region's potential capacity and to develop regional participants to meet the challenges through holding, supporting and activating the information systems regionally and nationally. He also called for identifying priorities, concepts and overall vision before starting programs and projects as well as developing a system that enables us to move from crisis management to crisis prevention.
The Chairman of the organizing Committee for the conference, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Jordan Dr. Mahmoud Al-Hussein, said that nanotechnology is considered the basis of a new industrial revolution and it will lead to huge leaps in all the branches of basic science and engineering; he also added that it represents a great opportunity for countries with limited resources to build a knowledge economy that will find solutions for societal problems. Furthermore, he stated that such technology became the focus of a large number of universities and scientific research centers, while pointing out that the University of Jordan is seeking to establish a National Center for Nanotechnology Research in cooperation with the Higher Council of Science and Technology.
130 researchers from the USA, UK, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine and Jordan participated in the Ninth Conference of Petra International School of physics aiming at stimulating the scientific research in physics and basic sciences, providing a platform for exchanging scientific ideas and experiences among researchers. HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal is the founder of the Petra International Physics School in 1980; it held its first conference in 1982 through cooperation between the University of Jordan, Yarmouk University and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics.
The president of Yarmouk University, Prof. Zeidan Kafafi met Erasmus+ Jordan office Director Dr. Ahmad Abu El-Haija to discuss the procedures of implementing projects funded by Erasmus+ and carried out by Yarmouk University.
Kafafi highlighted the keenness of Yarmouk University to encourage students and faculty and administrative staff to participate in Erasmus+ projects funded by the European Union; including student exchange and capacity building programs. He added that it is essential for universities to raise awareness regarding the scientific research in various scientific, medical, literary and human aspects.
Abu El-Haija praised the advanced level of projects submitted by Yarmouk University researchers supported by Erasmus+ and explained that the plans of 2014-2020 are focused on student exchange and capacity building in higher education; he referred to the need for a committee in the University that includes one of the Vice Presidents, the Dean of the concerned faculty and the Director of International Relations Office; this committee will select participants in the student exchange projects and apply the selection criteria for both receiving and sending parties with integrity, transparency and equality. Abu El-Haija further explained the mechanisms and conditions for selecting projects and he ensured that all the projects implemented at universities are institutional rather than personal projects, and that they aim to enhance the capacities of these institutions, to develop the abilities of employees and to equip laboratories and scientific facilities with necessary equipment.
The meeting was attended by Vice Presidents Prof. Ahmad Al-Ajlouni and Prof. Fawwaz Al-Abed Al-Haq, Dean of the Faculty of Science Prof. Nihad Yusuf, Dean of the Faculty of Arts Prof. Mohammed Bani Doumi, GEO4D coordinator Dr. Rana Al-Jawarneh, the Director of International Relations and Projects Dr. Mwaffaq Otoom and the Director of Public Relations Mr. Mukhles Al-Ibbeni.
During their visit to the University, Abu El Haija and Dr. Rima Al Khader met the research team of "Geodesy and Geoinformatics for Sustainable Development in Jordan GEO4D" project to follow-up on implementing the project and provide advice for some aspects; the research team plans to establish three scientific laboratories in Geodesy and GIS at Jordanian universities, establish three MA programs, and activate e-learning in order to achieve quality assurance in teaching Geodetics.
According to the philosophy of the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology at Yarmouk University that aims to open up to regional and international universities and institutions and to enhance cooperation in the fields of antiquities, heritage and inscriptions through Erasmus+ program, Dr. Rocio Dareva from the University of Barcelona, Spain presented lectures at the Faculty of Archaeology on the ancient religions of the Near East in the period between 28-31/10/2018.
The lectures focused on the ancient Near East religions in the early periods since the Neolithic period, through the Copper Stone Age, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age in Mesopotamia, the Levant and Jordan, the Nabatean religions and temples of the Arab island before Islam, as well as discoveries in Mesopotamia, Levant, Southern Turkey, Northern Syria and Jordan.
The Vice Dean of the Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology Prof. Atef Shiyab stated that the faculty is continuously working on holding such important meetings and lectures for both students and faculty staff members. He further added that such lectures are in line with the study plans of the faculty in order to have qualified students for the job market by giving them the required knowledge and skills and by informing them about the latest discoveries and developments in the fields of antiquities, inscriptions and heritage. Shiyab also stated that the faculty has distinguished scientific and cultural relations with many international institutions and universities concerned with antiquities, inscriptions, museums and heritage.
President Prof. Zeidan Kafafi met a delegation from the US Embassy in Amman included vice consuls Mr. Paul Wulfsberg and Ms. Ana DeLaCruz on Oct. 1, 2018. The visit came to discuss the mechanism of the admission of students to the «Summer Work and Travel» program in the United States.
At the beginning of the meeting, Kafafi asserted that the University is keen to cooperate with American universities and educational institutions, while pointing out the importance of the «Summer Work and Travel» program in giving students the opportunity to learn languages and cultures of other nations, reflecting on their educational career, broadening their understanding and promoting the concepts of constructive dialogue. He also added that “the Language Center in Yarmouk University is ready to welcome American students who want to learn Arabic”.
In return, Wulfsberg asserted that the «Summer Work and Travel» program, offered by the U.S. Embassy to students who want to spend 3 - 4 months during the summer time in the United States of America, will have a positive impact on the development of their English language skills and their education in terms of the nature and culture of the American society. The meeting was attended by Vice Presidents Prof. Ahmad Al-Ajlouni, Prof. Fawwaz Al-Abed Al-Haq and Prof. Anis Khassawneh. During the visit, the Department of International Relations and Projects organized a meeting between the American Embassy delegation and the students of the university to show the procedures of admission in the program through the offices of the embassy, which are committed to provide job opportunities to the admitted students. Further, the delegation answered students' questions and queries.
An agreement of cooperation was signed on Oct. 18 between Yarmouk University and the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies represented by Dr. Yasser Maali regarding receiving graduate students from Yarmouk University with the presence of Vice Presidents Prof. Fawwaz Al-Abed Al-Haq, Prof. Ahmad Al-Ajlouni and Prof. Anis Khassawneh as well as Dr. Muhannad Al-Mubaidin.
The agreement provides that distinguished BA students would be able to pursue their postgraduate studies in social and human sciences, public administration, development economics, psychology and social work, conflict management and humanitarian work at the Institute; the agreement also indicated that the Institute allocates grants to Yarmouk students annually to cover tuition fees, accommodation, and health insurance, and that a committee would be appointed to study nominations and to conduct interviews with candidates.
Kafafi stated that the agreement provides an opportunity for students of the University to study in such an institute with a distinguished academic reputation. On the other hand, Al-Maali praised the prestigious scientific reputation of Yarmouk University at the Arab level and added that the Institute intends to increase the number of Jordanian students studying there. He also presented information about the establishment of the Institute which offers 17 MA programs in social, human and administrative sciences, adding that they aim to establish a Master program in human rights as well as a PhD program.
The president welcomed an American delegation included Dr. Farha Abbasi from the College of Medicine at Michigan State University and Mr. Steve Olweean, the Director of Common Bond Association to discuss means of developing the joint training program between the two universities in the field of social work and mental health on Oct. 23rd.
During the meeting, Kafafi stated that the University seeks to enhance its scientific and research cooperation with prestigious international universities in various academic fields including the American University of Michigan which has a prestigious international reputation through developing the training program in cooperation with the American Association of Common Bond that includes students of the faculties of Medicine and Sharia and Islamic studies. This program succeeded in attracting students from 2016 until now. Kafafi also indicated the possibility to create a joint MA program in medical specializations such as public health and also to allow students from the Faculty of Medicine at the University to study and to have training at the MSU.
Members of the delegation also praised the efforts of Queen Rania Center for Jordanian Studies and Community Service and the Department of Sociology and Social Service in implementing a training program on social work and mental health that would lead to a cooperation agreement that would be beneficial for students studying in the faculties of Medicine and Sharia and Islamic Studies.
Yarmouk University President Prof. Zeidan Kafafi and some officials in the presidency met with the Swiss Ambassador to Amman, Lukas Gasser on Oct. 2, 2018.During the meeting, both sides exchanged ideas on promoting bilateral academic ties between Yarmouk University and universities in Switzerland. Kafafi stated that Yarmouk University has scientific and research cooperation with various prestigious international universities; these ties created opportunities for exchanging faculty members and allowing students to pursue their postgraduate studies at these universities. The President called the Swiss embassy to build a bridge of academic and scientific cooperation in various fields between Yarmouk University and various Swiss educational institutions. He further talked about the possibility of adding a corner of Swiss science and culture to Al-Hussein bin Talal library to allow students to discover the achievements of Swiss scientists and researchers in various fields of science.