HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, Chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), urged greater national commitment to scientific research, describing it as a “strategic investment” essential to Jordan’s economic resilience and security.
Speaking at a high-level conference titled “The State of Scientific Research and Its Impact on the National Economy”, held in Amman under the patronage of the HCST, Prince El Hassan emphasised that “science is not a luxury nor an added cost; it is a national necessity.”
The conference brought together HRH Princess Sumaya, government officials, university presidents, researchers, and industry leaders to discuss the findings of a national study evaluating the role of scientific research in driving economic development, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.
Prince EL Hassan also called on policymakers to move beyond short-term budget priorities and instead embrace long-term investment in knowledge and innovation. “Countries that invest in research don’t just catch up, they lead,” he said, warning that the absence of evidence-based policymaking weakens national resilience and preparedness.
He stressed that research and innovation must be supported by sustainable financing mechanisms, transparent governance, and inclusive engagement across disciplines and sectors.
He also called for a dedicated legal framework to reinforce Jordan’s research infrastructure, including direct grants, financial incentives for youth innovators and tax breaks for private sector investment.
The event also marked the official transfer of the Research and Innovation Support Fund to the HCST. Council’s Secretary-General Mashhoor Rifai welcomed the move, saying it would boost efficiency and align research funding with national development priorities.
“Research is not a luxury; it is the engine of economic transformation,” Rifai said. “As the challenges we face multiply, advancing the research ecosystem is no longer optional; it is essential.”
Industry engagement was a notable feature of the event, with around 20 per cent of participants representing the private sector, a sign of growing momentum to bridge the gap between academia and industry, Petra reported.
The council’s latest study, presented by lead researcher Nabil Heilat, drew on feedback from over 1,500 researchers and incorporated economic data analysis. The findings identified ongoing structural, regulatory, and financial barriers that continue to limit research productivity and the translation of findings into practical solutions.
In response, the HCST pledged to transform the study’s recommendations into actionable policies. Announced initiatives include the formation of expert advisory committees, the launch of a digital dashboard for real-time research data, and the organisation of a national conference aimed at narrowing the academia-industry divide.
The council also plans to establish national research laboratories, sign new cooperation agreements for joint projects and develop a unified electronic system to manage research funding and coordination.
Petra News / The Jordan Times