Abu Ghazaleh highlights the role of EUMEDCONNECT3 in advancing e-Infrastructure for research and education in Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine

AMMAN – HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh, Chairman of the Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN) highlights the role of the EU-funded EUMEDCONNECT3 project in advancing e-Infrastructure for research and education in Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. The project has been extended for 3 years and its co-funding has been increased from 36% to 60% of the overall costs. This will enhance regional e-Infrastructure and will support international research and education (R&E) connectivity for Jordan, Lebanon, and Palestine. The contract amendment for the increase and extension was formalized earlier this month with the Directorate-General for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) of the European Commission within the EC allocation of €3.2M funding. 

HE Dr. Talal Abu-Ghazaleh emphasized the importance of technological literacy as a key factor for the socio-economic and scientific progress of the Arab region. He recognized the role of the EUMEDCONNECT3 in enhancing the technological literacy and enabling international collaboration. He said: “The R&E networks serve as scientific platforms for academics, researchers, scholars and policy makers for cooperation, implementing joint projects, and crystalizing research and educational findings that support solving issues of relevance to the Arab region”.

David West, GÉANT’s EUMEDCONNECT3 project manager, commented: “This extension and increase of funding share by the European Commission are important development mechanisms of the Arab regional network and its interconnection with the GÉANT pan-European network to facilitate R&E collaborations since the project inception in 2004. The EUMEDCONNECT program led to the first regional network outside Europe that spurs R&E networking and collaboration in the region.”