The University of Jordan (UJ) President, Prof. Nathir Obeidat, discussed with an Irish academic delegation, led by the Irish Ambassador to Jordan, Marianne Bolger, ways to enhance academic cooperation between UJ and its counterparts from higher education institutions in Ireland.
The delegation included Dr. Yvonne Kavanagh, Director of Engineering Research and Innovation at the South East Technological University; Prof. Siobhán McClean, Professor of Biomolecular and Biomedical Sciences at University College Dublin; and Prof. Helen M Roche, Director of the Conway Institute at University College Dublin.
During the meeting, which was attended by Vice President for Scientific Schools, Prof. Ashraf Abu Karaki; Vice President for Global Rankings and International Accreditation, Prof. Faleh Sawair; Director of the International Affairs Unit, Dr. Sameh Zubaidi; and Assistant Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center, Dr. Mohammad Momani, Ambassador Bolger expressed her eagerness to strengthen academic and research cooperation between the two sides.
For his part, Obeidat reaffirmed UJ's commitment to furthering ties with Irish universities, highlighting the need for student exchange programs and short-term joint training initiatives. He also stressed the importance of enhancing research collaboration through research groups involving scholars from both sides, particularly in priority fields such as technology and the humanities, which require multidisciplinary academic partnerships.
Additionally, the delegation, accompanied by the ambassador, met with a group of researchers and entrepreneurs in cooperation with the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center and in the presence of the Dean of the School of Pharmacy, Prof. Rula Darwish. The meeting featured an open dialogue to exchange ideas and perspectives on strengthening innovation and academic entrepreneurship.
The event also included discussions on the role of women in STEM and innovation, highlighting several startups and pioneering projects. The discussions were attended by a distinguished group of researchers, professors, and inventors from the university, alongside a number of students and graduates who own startups and entrepreneurial ventures.