Amman, July 1 (Petra) – Higher Council for Science and Technology
(HCST) Secretary-General Mashhoor Rifai and South Africa’s Ambassador
Tselane Mokuena discussed expanding cooperation in science and
technology fields and developing scientific research and innovation
partnerships.

The two sides discussed financing joint research projects, exploring
cooperation in areas of mutual interest and potentially signing a
memorandum of understanding to establish a “long-term strategic”
partnership between the HCST and its South African counterparts.

Talking at the meeting, Rifai highlighted the “strong”
Jordanian-S.African relations, voicing HCST’s interest in
establishing links with counterpart institutions in South Africa,
exchanging expertise and benefiting from international experience in
innovation and research management.

He reviewed the council’s programs and initiatives, including the
transfer of the Scientific Research and Innovation Support Fund under
HCST’s umbrella, which creates opportunities to strengthen
institutional integration and advance Jordan’s national research and
innovation system.

Rifai also called for building “effective” partnerships with local
and international industries and developing mechanisms for technology
transfer and research commercialization through licensing agreements,
business incubators and joint industrial projects.

He presented an initiative supporting students in Gaza through the El
Hassan Platform for Learning, in cooperation with the Ministry of
Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Palestinian Ministry of
Education and several universities in Gaza.

The ambassador, in turn, commended HCST’s position in local and
international scientific circles, urging coordination to establish
“productive” cooperation in science, technology and innovation.

The diplomat referred to networking HCST with counterpart
institutions in South Africa and strengthening ties among
universities, research centers and industry, particularly in
artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

//Petra// AO