By Zayed Alzyoud
The University of Jordan (UJ), led by its President Prof. Nathir Obeidat, took part in The Game Changer: New World Economy Forum held in Naples, Italy, under the patronage of the City of Naples and organized by Il Mattino. The forum brought together global leaders, academics, and policymakers to explore new frameworks for economic and academic cooperation across the Mediterranean region.
Obeidat spoke at a high-level panel titled “Federicum: The New Euro–Mediterranean Erasmus Program and the Hidden Gems of Our Universities” alongside Prof. Matteo Lorito, Rector of the University of Naples Federico II, and other distinguished figures from academia and industry.
The event also brought together prominent Italian and European officials and thought leaders, including Anna Maria Bernini, Italy’s Minister of University and Research; Marco Minniti, Chairman of the Med-Or Foundation; and Antonio Tajani, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, reflecting the forum’s international focus on innovation, education, and the future of Mediterranean cooperation.
In his remarks, Obeidat emphasized education and research as key pillars of sustainable development, describing UJ as a bridge connecting tradition to innovation. He outlined Jordan’s national Economic Modernization Vision 2033, highlighting the alignment between education and labor market needs, and the country’s steady advancement in digital transformation.
He announced the establishment of UJ’s Quantum Technologies Laboratory, a pioneering initiative aimed at fostering regional and international collaboration in emerging technologies, noting ongoing partnerships with Italian universities in quantum computing, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
Obeidat also showcased the achievements of the King Abdullah II School of Information Technology and UJ’s Master’s Program in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, developed with the University of Pisa through Erasmus+, as examples of impactful academic partnerships that bridge science, innovation, and global learning.
Concluding his address, Obeidat reaffirmed UJ’s commitment to strengthening Jordan–Italy collaboration in education, research, and innovation, building a shared academic future grounded in excellence, innovation, and global partnership.