The University of Jordan (UJ), through its School of Archaeology and Tourism and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, concluded the hackathon “The Future of Tourism Through the Eyes of Youth: Opportunities and Empowerment,” which brought together students from diverse disciplines to showcase groundbreaking projects.
The event was held under the patronage of the Vice President for Quality and Local Accreditation, Prof. Amira Masri, with the presence of Dean of the School of Archaeology and Tourism, Prof. Ziad Alrawadieh, and Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, Dr. Reem Al Fayez. The hackathon was supported by MVP Company.
In her remarks, Prof. Masri praised the students’ creativity and innovation, emphasizing their ability to generate impactful ideas that could advance Jordan’s tourism industry. She described the hackathon as a platform that empowered youth to design projects with real-world potential.
Prof. Alrawadieh underscored that the hackathon reflects UJ’s commitment to equipping students with the skills of innovation and problem-solving needed to become future leaders. He noted that tourism, as a vital sector, requires creative and practical approaches to keep pace with global developments, and that students showcased their readiness to provide such solutions.
Dr. Al Fayez expressed pride in the students’ contributions, stating that their energy and ideas demonstrated their capacity to turn challenges into opportunities and to develop solutions that benefit the tourism sector. She described the hackathon as both a celebration of their creativity and a starting point for a promising journey in innovation and entrepreneurship.
Chair of the Preparatory Committee, Dr. Ismail Abu Amoud, encouraged students to continue working with a spirit of collaboration and to make use of technology and artificial intelligence in developing innovative solutions that enhance visitor experiences and support the sustainability of the tourism industry.
Executive Director of MVP, Bahaa Al-Qudah, voiced his confidence in the potential of Jordanian youth, stressing their ability to transform ideas into thriving ventures. He noted that many leading global companies began as small entrepreneurial initiatives, adding that “students are the architects of the digital transformation of the tourism sector.”
The ceremony concluded with the announcement of the winning projects and the honoring of participating teams. Academic leaders and partners affirmed that this hackathon marks the beginning of a promising journey of innovation, and that the participating students truly embody the future leaders and changemakers of Jordan.