AMMAN: In a significant move to bolster research and development in the Jordanian Badia, the Hashemite Fund for the Jordanian Badia Development and the Higher Council for Science and Technology formalized a partnership through a memorandum of understanding. The signing ceremony took place on Monday, attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Basma bint Ali, underscoring the importance of the initiative aimed at sustainable development and resource preservation in the region.
According to Jordan News Agency, the memorandum was signed by Jamal Trad Fayez, Director General of the Hashemite Fund, and Mashhour Rifai, Secretary General of the Higher Council for Science and Technology. Fayez highlighted that this agreement sets the groundwork for collaboration between the two bodies to enhance research efforts focusing on sustainable development, natural resource preservation, and community empowerment in the Badia region. The Council is designated as the Fund's research arm, tasked with optimizing the use of the area's rich biodiversity and natural resources, such as phosphate, silica, and solar energy.
Rifai explained that the memorandum aims to utilize the region's plant and animal resources, conduct population studies, and propose development projects while leveraging international partnerships. This agreement will also involve presenting research projects to the Council's centers to ensure alignment with the objectives of the projects. Additionally, a governance framework will guide the joint initiatives, emphasizing needs assessments, goal-setting, and economic feasibility to ensure project success.
The agreement further specifies forming a joint steering committee responsible for implementing the memorandum, with a particular focus on partnerships with academic institutions like Al al-Bayt University to drive research projects aimed at optimizing the region's natural resources.