Programme / Engaging Jordan's Diaspora: Mechanisms for Creative Capacity Building

The Jordanian diaspora and relevant international networks could be helpful in the process of building knowledge bridges generating opportunities and bi-lateral relations in joint Research and Development programmes, funding venues and other knowledge transfer avenues to pursue.   In turn, research collaboration in Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) is increasingly becoming the main driver for socioeconomic development and sustainability. At the same time, governments and policy makers have a role in linking together their diaspora members to maximize the possible gains for the benefit of migration.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, HE Ayman Al Safadi will deliver remarks at the session opening on the impact that Diasporas have on development of their home countries.  The session will host several Jordanian academics, living abroad, to share their scientific endeavors, and current & future opportunities in connecting Diasporas to development. The session will present a national initiative; Jordanian Scientists and Technologists Abroad (JoSTA) presented by HE, Dr Khaled Elshuraydeh, Secretary General of the Higher Council for Science and Technology in Amman, Jordan, to show case a programme that was formed upon the directives and guidance of HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal with a vision to achieve high economic growth and prosperity through partnerships between Jordanian scientist abroad and their peers in Jordan.

Moreover, the proposed session will also include two prominent scientists from the USA; Professor Ali Malkawi of Harvard University and Professor Issa Batarseh of University of Central Florida to speak about the significant role the Jordanian diaspora can play in Jordan’s economic and technological development, each from his own professional activities to benefiting Jordan. Another young scientist, Dr Noor Gammoh of the University of Edinburgh, will present her cancer research and how she can benefit Jordan through different channels of collaboration between Jordan and the UK.

Session Objectives:

• To present some of the achievements of Jordanian scientists abroad
• To showcase models of collaboration among Jordanian scientists
• To present a national level initiative aiming at getting together diaspora scientists and technologists abroad with their peers in Jordan
• To introduce potential linkages in research topics that are of high importance to Jordan