Jerash: Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Lina Annab met with Professor Mario Micheli from Roma Tre University to discuss the future phases of the Regional Conservation and Restoration Center's development in Jerash. The meeting focused on crafting a long-term vision for the center's management and programs.
According to Jordan News Agency, the meeting included officials from the Ministry of Tourism, the Department of Antiquities, and the center's team. They reviewed the second phase of a training program funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, which aims to train 15 specialists from the Department of Antiquities, including chemists, geologists, and conservation engineers.
Plans were also discussed to establish the center as a leading regional hub for restoration and conservation while developing skilled Arab professionals in the field. Annab highlighted the goal of empowering young trainees as the foundation of the center's success and transforming it into a global model in partnership with Italian counterparts.
Micheli shared his connection to Jordan and the project, emphasizing the importance of continued training and expanded collaboration with other Italian institutions. He noted that the initiative symbolizes the strong ties between Jordan and Italy.
After the meeting, Annab toured the center with Micheli, interacting with trainees about their experiences and aspirations for the next phase of the program. Both sides agreed to develop a long-term plan to sustain and enhance the center's programs, addressing staffing and technical equipment needs.
The center was established in 2017 under a Jordanian-Italian cooperation agreement. It launched its training activities through a partnership between the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation and Roma Tre University. The second phase of training is set to begin in April and run through the end of 2025, with plans for a three-year extension.
During a field visit to Jerash, Annab, accompanied by Acting Mayor Adel Al-Zutaymeh and municipal officials, inspected several heritage sites, exploring opportunities to transform these locations into tourism projects to enhance the city's appeal for local and international visitors.