Philippine Embassy, Higher Council for Science and Technology Discuss Potential Areas of Cooperation

24 September 2024 - In a major step to advance the mutual interests of the Philippines and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on science and technology, Philippine Ambassador to Jordan Wilfredo C. Santos discussed potential areas of cooperation between the two countries in a meeting today by the ASEAN Committee in Amman (ACA) with Prof. Mashhoor Al-Refai, Secretary General of Jordan’s Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST). 

Prof. Mashhor Al-Refai expressed HCST’s readiness to pursue cooperation with the Philippines’ Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (PCIEERD), and key technology hubs and innovation centers. The HCST also identified six (6) potential cooperation areas: 1) joint research projects, 2) capacity building, 3) technology transfer and commercialization, 4) innovation and entrepreneurship support, 5) industry-academia collaboration, and 6) policy development and advocacy.  

Ambassador Santos welcomed the said initiatives and emphasized the Philippine Embassy’s commitment to foster a strong partnership with the Council to promote science and technology, scientific research, technology development and transfer, and collaborative scientific ventures. He also mentioned the Philippines’ successful bilateral cooperation on science and technology with other states. He then highlighted the need for investing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education and the role of science and technology in tackling global issues such as climate change and food security.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further discussions on the identified areas of potential cooperation with the HCST. 

The HCST was established in 1987 as a public independent institution and acts as a national umbrella for all science and technology activities in Jordan. Its objective is to build a national science and technology base to contribute to the achievement of development goals, through increasing awareness of the significance of scientific research and development and granting the necessary funding and directing scientific and research activities, within national priorities.  

Joining Ambassador Santos during the meeting was Third Secretary Vice Consul Sheila Marie G. Andales. END