Amman, June 7 (Petra) — Secretary-General of the Higher Council for
Science and Technology (HCST) Mashhour Rifai discussed with Thai
Ambassador Jirapon Jirampaikool cooperation in scientific research,
technology, and innovation.

According to an HCST statement issued Sunday, Rifai stressed the
“deep-rooted” Jordanian-Thai relations and the council’s keenness to
build links with counterpart institutions in Thailand, exchange
expertise and the best scientific practices, and benefit from
international experience in innovation management.

Rifai reviewed the council’s key programs, initiatives, and
activities, noting the Scientific Research and Innovation Support
Fund was brought under the HCST umbrella.

He said the move creates opportunities to strengthen institutional
integration and develop the national research and innovation
ecosystem, with special focus on building effective partnerships with
local and international industrial sectors.

He also called for developing “effective” mechanisms for technology
transfer and commercialization of scientific research outputs through
licensing agreements, business incubators, and joint ventures with
the industrial sector, helping turn innovation into productive
economic value.

Jirampaikool, in turn, said coordination was “important to launch
constructive” cooperation, particularly as Jordan and Thailand mark
60 years of diplomatic relations.

She stressed the importance of linking the HCST with Thai
institutions that share similar goals and work mechanisms, while
strengthening connections among universities, research centers, and
the industrial sector, especially in modern technologies.

Additionally, she expressed particular interest in the Red Sea
Conference, which the HCST will hold early next year. The National
Center for Research and Development, one of the HCST’s affiliated
centers, is coordinating and preparing the event.

The two sides discussed mechanisms to finance joint research
projects, explore cooperation opportunities in areas of mutual
interest.

They also announced the possibility to prepare a draft memorandum of
understanding to frame cooperation and establish a long-term
strategic partnership between the HCST and counterpart institutions
in Thailand.

//Petra// AO