Amman: Minister of Water and Irrigation Raed Abu Saud and President of Al Hussein Technical University Ismail Hanati signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Jordan Valley Authority and the university, aimed at fostering strategic cooperation in water resources management, technological innovation, and human capacity development.
According to Jordan News Agency, the agreement seeks to leverage artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to develop smart water management systems that enhance operational efficiency and reduce water loss. It also promotes the use of big data and advanced analytics to support decision-making processes in irrigation and water resource planning.
Abu Saud said the MoU marks a key step in the Ministry's digital transformation efforts within the water sector, underscoring the importance of technological innovation in addressing Jordan's water challenges amid limited resources and the impacts of climate change. He stressed the Ministry's commitment to adopting cutting-edge smart solutions and strengthening cooperation with leading academic institutions to build an integrated system grounded in innovation and knowledge, thereby contributing to the sustainability of water resources and improving service delivery to citizens and farmers.
For his part, Hanati noted that the agreement supported by the International Data Management Association reflects the university's role in supporting national development by harnessing scientific research and modern technologies to serve critical sectors, particularly water. Vice President of the association, Mohammed Abdul Rahim, highlighted the association's pride in backing this initiative, noting that data forms the foundation of effective and sustainable decision-making. He affirmed that the partnership aims to empower national institutions to implement global best practices in data governance and management, thereby enhancing the performance of the water sector.
The memorandum also includes cooperation in developing smart environmental applications capable of forecasting climate events such as droughts and floods, strengthening institutional readiness and supporting sustainable planning in the face of climate change. In terms of capacity-building, the MoU outlines provisions for implementing specialized training and qualification programs for professionals in the water and environment sectors, as well as the development of modern educational curricula aligned with both local and international labor market needs.