Dr. Ruwaida Al Ma’aitah: There is a Need to Promote Scientific Research to Increase Competitiveness
Eng. Rousan: We Implement His Majesty’s Vision to Realize Knowledge Economy
Dr. Abu -Ghazaleh Calls for Jordan to be a Regional Hub for E-infrastructure Integration
AMMAN------ December 19, 2011-------- Under the patronage of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein, the 1st International Platform on Integrating Arab e-infrastructure in a Global Environment was inaugurated under the chairmanship of HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman of the Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN).
The event witnessed wide and effective participation of more than 200 figures of high-ranking decision-makers from governments, enterprises, NGOs, academia, and civil society.
His Majesty King Abdullah II deputized HE Dr. Ruwaida Al Ma’aitah, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, to inaugurate the Conference. Dr. Al Ma’aitah delivered a speech in which she conveyed His Majesty’s greetings to guests and participants, appreciating their efforts and wishing them success in reaching their objectives while pledging to provide all necessary support and facilitation.
In addition, Dr. Al Ma’aitah thanked Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization under the leadership of Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh for his considerable efforts in various professional fields to develop the society, in particular, in the fields of education, training, qualification, and capacity-building, as well as his ongoing efforts in the field of education quality and scientific research.
Dr. Al Ma’aitah said that the Ministry has endeavored to provide a healthy environment for scientific research in strategically significant fields to increase Jordan’s competitiveness at the long term, namely; energy, water, environment, technological applications as well as supporting intellectual property rights.
HE added that Jordan national strategy focuses on achieving advanced research and educational standards to meet the present and future needs of our society to keep abreast of the international development in the field of education and scientific research.
In his speech, Dr. Abu-Ghazaleh called for Jordan to be a regional hub for e-infrastructure integration, saying: “We look forward to having national scientific research netwroks in all Arab countries, and we hope that these netwroks join ASREN as partners to maintain research and scientific communication between Arab countries, confirming ASREN’s willingness to extend all required assistance to establish national networks as per the internationally recognized model.”
He also announced the launch of three new initiatives at the beginning of 2012; namely: TAGITOP®, TAGIPEDIA®, and TAG Corporate Virtual University, which shall provide all educational and training programs in business field to public, private and educational sectors at the Arab world level.
HE Eng. Basem Al-Rossan, Minister of Information and Communications Technology, delivered a speech during which he addressed in details Jordan experience in the field of e-infrastructuer, saying : “The Government of Jordan started the e-integration plan in 2003 to technically link schools and universities in line with the vision of His Majesty towards an integrated knowledge-based economy in Jordan.”
His Excellency added that “these programs have developed in 2007 to include the public institutions, medical centers and hospitals, while schools in rural areas were chosen as distribution points for the Internet services.”
Dr. Khaled Touqan, President of Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, gave a detailed presentation about scientfic research based on e-integration and on SESAME.
Dr. Fa’eqa Al-Saleh, Representative of the Secretary-General of the Arab League and Director of Research and Education Department, conveyed the greetings of the Secretary-General Mr. Nabeel Al-Arabi and his wishes for success.
Dr. Al-Saleh praised the cooperatoin between Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization and the Arab League in the field of education and scientific research as well as the interest in youth issues, indicating the Knowledge Youth Summit to be jointly held in Morocoo in March 2012 by the Arab League and Talal Abu-Ghazaleh Organization.
Moreover, Mr. Kostas Galenus, Head of the Technology Unit in E-infrastructure at the European Commission and Mrs. Juana Ronika, Head of the EU delegation to Jordan delivered speeches in the Conference.
The event is considered the first of its kind in the Arab region and the world, and is a distinguished opportunity for the Arab researchers and those developing scientific infrastructure in the Arab world to benefit from this gathering. Also, the event constitutes a forum through which partnerships are motivated and encouraged and best practices are exchanged to integrate scientific research networks with the global ones as well as in the field of such network sustainability.
The event also promotes Jordan position as a regional hub for scientific research and Arab e-infrastructure integration to establish a real network between Arab researchers. ASREN, headquartered in Amman, will seek to complete the requirements of such significant achievement.
HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh speaks during the 1st International Platform on Integrating Arab e-infrastructure in a Global Environment in Amman- December 12, 2011.
HE Eng. Basem Rousan, Minister of Information and Communications Technology delivers a speech during the 1st International Platform on Integrating Arab e-infrastructure in a Global Environment in Amman- December 12, 2011
HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh and HE Dr. Rowaida Maaitah, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research at the 1st International Platform on Integrating Arab e-infrastructure in a Global Environment in Amman- December 12, 2011.
Participants of the 1st International Platform on Integrating Arab e-infrastructure in a Global Environment in Amman- December 12, 2011.
