Day: May 18, 2022

Huawei on Tuesday evening hosted the Digital Talent Summit in Barcelona as part of the UNESCO World Higher Education Conference.

In a statement on Wednesday, Huawei said that the summit was attended in person or virtually by more than 80 experts from the education sector representing government, academia, industry, and UNESCO. The guests discussed how technology can play a role reinventing higher education for a sustainable future.

UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini and Huawei’s Board Director and Senior Vice President Vincent Peng kicked off the event describing the increasingly important role technology is playing in innovation and education.

Giannini said, “We now have to go the extra mile, to bridge the global digital divide that left many behind and to integrate ICT-based solutions into higher education systems or programs. This is key for more than just graduate employability. Digital technology can also contribute to more open, flexible, and connected higher education ecosystems.”

Peng, in turn, called for universities, corporations, and governments to work together for a sustainable and inclusive future. He said, “Digital technology has the potential to rebalance the world’s education resources. We should leverage digital technology to build a more collaborative, open, and vibrant education system.”

Peng also spoke on the initiatives Huawei is pursuing to bridge the digital divide and developing talent ecosystem, including the Huawei ICT Academy project where university-enterprise collaborations help universities train new ICT talent through dedicated courses, training boot camps, and competitions.

“We have partnered with almost 2,000 universities around the world to build Huawei ICT Academies, with a target of training more than 1 million ICT professionals and experts by 2024,” he said. “We hope to improve digital literacy of all through these efforts, supporting sustainable growth of the society and industries.”

Source: Jordan News Agency

Minister of Public Works and Housing Yahya Kisbi, accompanied by Mission Director at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Sherry Carlin, on Wednesday inaugurated two new schools in Aqaba.

During the opening ceremony of al-Amal Sign Language Secondary Coeducation School, Kisbi said the USAID-funded cooperation between the Public Works Ministry and the Education Ministry contributes to achieving the goals of the national strategy for education by providing a modern and comprehensive learning environment that integrates people with disabilities in the educational process, as well as reducing crowdedness in classrooms, and reducing the number of schools operating on the double shift system.

The cooperation will also increase rates of elementary education enrollment to accommodate population growth, he continued, describing the recently-opened schools as a “model of modern schools that we aspire for our kids to be part of.”

He said al-Amal Sign Language Secondary Coeducation School, which consists of 3 stories, will give hope to students with hearing disabilities due to its suitable design and special devices.

The building of these new schools will alleviate the burden on the Education Ministry and cover part of the increasing demands, he said, pointing to a USAID-funded project to build 25 schools across the Kingdom, 12 of which have been built.

Kisbi lauded the continuous support of the United States government and people and the USAID, looking forward to further cooperation in the future.

For her part, Carlin said: “When the USAID invests in inclusive education, it invests in human capacities of the Jordanian children and youth.”

“We are extremely proud of our partnership with the ministries of public works and education,” she added, stressing that the modern schools are an example of a distinguished relation and partnership with the Jordanian government.

Principle of al-Amal School Salam Majali commended the USAID’s efforts in building and maintaining schools in Jordan, underscoring that the cooperation serves the local community, especially those with disabilities.

For her part, Principe of the Tase’a Elementary Coeducation School Su’ad Dardasawi said the 4,507 meters 4-story building houses 24 classrooms.

Source: Jordan News Agency

-Civil Aviation Regulatory Authority (CARA) Chief Commissioner/CEO, Haitham Mesto, chaired Executive Council of Arab Civil Aviation Organization (ACAO) 65th session, which started its deliberations on Tuesday in the Moroccan capital, Rabat.

In a CARC statement on Wednesday, Mesto said the session will discuss files aimed to advance joint Arab action and achieve common goals related to the Arab civil aviation sector, in addition to studying recommendations and technical decisions set to be submitted to the ACAO’s administration.

The discussions will go over assessing achievements in the technical field during the previous periods, he noted, stressing the importance of carrying out the ACAO Executive Council’s mission “fully,” in a bid to achieve aspirations of this “important” sector, which is a key economic driver worldwide.

On 19-20 May, Jordan will also take part in the 27th ordinary session of the ACAO’s General Assembly, in a delegation headed by Mesto.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Fish lice and the Koi herpesvirus disease are suspected to be the culprit behind mass die-off of fish populations in some carp farms in the Jordan Valley region, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement Wednesday.

In its statement, the ministry did not rule out the possibility that the problem, which appeared four days ago in specific farms that depend exclusively on the waters of the Jordan River, has developed into an epidemic.

The ministry stated that preliminary examinations revealed that the carp fish were infected with parasites (carp lice), and showed symptoms indicating that they were infected with Koi herpesvirus disease, which is blamed for similar die-offs in fish farms in some neighboring countries.

The ministry stressed that this disease cannot be transmitted to humans and does not pose any danger to human health, even if infected fish are consumed.

The ministry promised a program to manage the disease and limit its damage in the short, medium and long term, noting that the minister had issued orders to facilitate the import of any treatments or antibiotics to address this disease.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Prime Minister Bisher Khasawneh said hard currency reserves with the Central Bank of Jordan have reached “unprecedented” levels, pledging that his government will take all that necessary to propel economic growth and lure in foreign capital.

In a meeting Wednesday with the head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) mission to Jordan Ali Abbas, the prime minister said that the government will soon send to the parliament a draft law streamlining the investment and business-doing ecosystem, stressing that the bill will enhance the investment environment and attract local and foreign investments.

Khasawneh also stressed that his government is committed to pursuing a real partnership with the private sector to enable it to contribute to comprehensive economic development and advance growth. He explained that the measures taken by the government and the Central Bank contributed significantly to enhancing financial and monetary stability.

The Prime Minister spoke about the repercussions of the Coronavirus pandemic on the Jordanian economy, as well as the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis on the prices of foodstuffs, basic commodities and oil.

In turn, the IMF official said that Jordan has been able to maintain economic stability, at a time when many countries suffered major repercussions on their economies as a result of the pandemic.

He also said that he is confident that structural reforms introduced by Jordan have contributed to enhancing economic growth and will reflect positively on the citizens, pledging that the IMF will continue to stand by Jordan to overcome any challenges.

Source: Jordan News Agency

-Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Yousef Shamali, and Iraqi Minister of Industry and Minerals Manhal Aziz Al Khabbaz, announced the latest developments related to the joint economic zone project to be established at the the two countries’ borders.

Held in Amman on Wednesday, the two ministers co-chaired the extraordinary meeting of the General Assembly of the the Iraqi-Jordanian Industry Company (IJIC), which took several decisions to start practical steps to carry out the joint economic zone project, according to their joint statement.

The IJIC, which is equally owned by the two countries’ governments, is charged with implementing the zone project.

The General Assembly approved a recommendation of the IJIC’s board of directors to proceed with the procedures to contract a consulting body to assist the company to outline the documents to attract a project developer, namely technical terms of reference (TOR) and request for proposal (RFP), the statement said.

The recommendation also featured incentives, privileges, customs regulations, company registration system, construction licenses, the statement noted.

In accordance with the two ministers’ joint statement, the General Assembly also approved plans to proceed with the procedures for submitting a tender to attract a project developer after receiving the consulting body’s documents in their final version for end approvals.

Source: Jordan News Agency

The Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have signed an agreement to support management of the Aqaba Marine Park (AMP) and to develop designs for Aqaba Marine Science Station (MSS).

This cooperation comes within the framework of European Green Deal, with the EU’s support for Jordan, to work on promoting sustainable economic development with a focus on measures to address climate change impact, and support “green” growth and economic development, according to an ASEZA statement.

The agreement focuses on the implementation of Indicator No. 8 of the Green Deal, related to the establishment and management of Aqaba’s AMP and MSS, the statement said.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, ASEZA Chairman, Nayef Bakhit, stressed the importance of continuous cooperation and partnership with UNDP and the European Union in the eco-protection field.

His Majesty King Abdullah II directed in 2020 to conserve Aqaba Gulf’s unique marine environment and promote scientific research to benefit from its “distinguished” features, including establishment of the first marine reserve in Jordan, Bakhit added.

The project, he noted, will help advance efforts to put the Aqaba site on the list of biosphere reserves affiliated with UNESCO and other global protected networks (IUCN Green List), and will also include an exhibition of marine life and scientific research facilities.

The AMP project is in line with Jordan’s continuous efforts to counter climate change effects and contribute to international efforts in this regard, he said.

In turn, EU to Jordan, Maria Hadjitheodosiou, lauded ASEZA’s efforts to ensure preservation of Aqaba marine ecosystem and its readiness to follow the Royal directives to establish a marine reserve and an affiliated research center.

Hadjitheodosiou stressed the importance of partnering with the UNDP to implement this initiative, as the UNDP has made continuous efforts in supporting Jordan in facing environmental and climate challenges.

For her part, the UNDP resident representative, Randa Abul-Hassan, said the agreement is a continuation of the distinguished partnership with ASEZA, which dates back more than 10 years, and has contributed to making many achievements in the field of preserving the marine and coastal environment.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Prime Minister, Dr. Bisher Khasawneh, on Wednesday, received Iraqi Minister of Industry and Minerals Manhal Aziz Al Khabbaz, in the presence of Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Yousef Shamali, and the Iraqi ambassador to Jordan, Haider Adari.

Speaking at the meeting, Khasawneh stressed the “historic and brotherly” Jordan-Iraq relations, and the keenness to enhance joint cooperation and integration in all fields to serve common interests.

In addition, the PM said Jordan is looking with due attention to implement the “strategic” projects scheduled to be executed bilaterally and start practical measures to carry out these enterprises on the ground, including the joint economic zone project set to be established on the two countries borders and the Basra-Aqaba pipeline project and then into Egyptian territory.

Khasawneh noted these projects reflect the directives and visions of the two countries’ leaderships, His Majesty King Abdullah II, and Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa Kazemi, and the tripartite cooperation mechanism linking Jordan, Iraq and Egypt.

The PM reiterated Jordan’s support, under His Majesty King Abdullah II’s leadership, to consolidate Iraq’s security and stability to continue playing its active role at the Arab, regional and international levels.

Asking Al Khabbaz to convey his greetings to the Iraqi Prime Minister, Mustafa Kazemi, Khasawneh expressed his aspiration to further enhance cooperation between the two countries.

The PM was also briefed by the two ministers on the agreement signed today between the two sides, to start practical measures to implement the joint economic zone project on the two countries’ borders after completing the procedures related to all approvals and land acquisitions.

For his part, the Iraqi minister , who conveyed Iraqi Prime Minister’s greetings to his Jordanian counterpart, Dr. Bishr Khasawneh, said Jordan is Iraq’s “true depth,” adding that establishment of the joint economic zone has dimensions and benefits to the two countries and their peoples in the economic and social fields.

Source: Jordan News Agency