Jordan Daily – Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dr. Saleh Kharabsheh, emphasized the crucial role of the country’s universities and research centers in advancing the country’s energy and mining sectors on Wednesday.
The remarks were made during the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hashemite University (HU) to foster training and expertise exchange.
Kharabsheh highlighted the need for universities to contribute to energy transition, green hydrogen projects, and the mining sector, which he hopes will lead to the development and broader exploitation of mineral raw materials. He noted that Jordan’s mining development has so far been “limited” to the extraction of phosphate and potash ore, despite the growing global demand for minerals used in clean energy technologies.
The minister also pointed out a gap in cooperation between academic and research institutions and government departments in Jordan. He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with universities to serve common interests and meet the needs of public entities in implementing their plans and projects.
Dr. Khaled Hiyari, President of the Hashemite University, echoed these sentiments, stating that the university’s partnership with the public and private sectors is a “shared responsibility” with a “positive” impact on training students, faculty members, and technicians.
Hiyari noted that HU was the first Jordanian university to initiate renewable energy projects, with its solar power plant reducing electrical energy costs and providing real-systems training for students, researchers, and partners.
The MoU aims to establish joint scientific collaboration activities, exchange knowledge and scientific visits, implement training programs, develop scientific competencies, exchange scientific, research, and technical results, and direct students’ graduation projects and Master’s theses to address Jordan’s energy challenges.
