Irbid, Sept. 18 (Petra) -- Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), on Thursday inaugurated the International Humboldt-Kolleg Conference on Sustainable Science Development: Transforming Industries and Society, hosted by Jadara University in partnership with the Jordanian Club of Humboldt Fellows.

The three-day international conference gathers participants from 24 countries, including leading scientists, researchers, policymakers, and students from Jordan, Germany, and across the globe. It provides a forum to exchange expertise, share research, and foster cross-disciplinary partnerships in pursuit of resilient science for a changing world.

In her keynote address, Princess Sumaya underscored the importance of science diplomacy as a tool for unifying regional efforts. She stressed that water, energy, environmental protection, disease surveillance, and seismic risk reduction must serve as pillars of cooperation in the Middle East and beyond.

Reaffirming her long-standing commitment to the Humboldt community, which she described as "a family united by the belief that science must ultimately serve humanity," the Princess highlighted the Royal Scientific Society’s leadership in advancing sustainable development.

She cited practical projects in the circular economy, cleaner production, water innovation, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and green chemistry, which have brought tangible benefits to people’s lives, from solar-powered classrooms for refugee children, to clean energy for farmers, to green jobs for youth.

She also reflected on the importance of international collaboration, noting Princess Sumaya University for Technology’s agreement with NASA. This partnership, she said, allows Jordanian students to participate in global space research and demonstrates that space exploration is "not merely a journey to the stars, but a bridge for intercultural cooperation and applying science to improve life on Earth." Conference participants were also addressed by Professor Habes Hatamleh, President of Jadara University, who emphasised the university’s role in linking education to real-world challenges; Lena Graziano, Head of Cultural and Media Section at the German Embassy, who praised the depth of Jordanian–German scientific cooperation; and Dr Marwan Mousa, President of the Jordanian Club of Humboldt Fellows, who expressed his aspiration for further joint research projects.

The programme featured distinguished speakers including Professor Dieter Suter of Technische Universität Dortmund, who presented pioneering research in magnetic resonance imaging, and Romanian astronaut Dumitru-Dorin Prunariu, who shared insights on the challenges and prospects of sustainable lunar exploration.

Reflecting the Humboldt Foundation’s vision of resilient science for a changing world, the conference spans eight thematic areas: chemistry, physics, energy, engineering, materials science, nanotechnology, pharmacy, archaeology, and education. It builds on the success of the 2022 Humboldt-Kolleg in Madaba, held under the theme How We Change the World Through Science.

//Petra// WH