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The Higher Council for Science and Technology

Website: http://www.hcst.gov.jo/

In affirmation of the vital role of science and technology in the sustainable development of various economic sectors, it was decided to institutionalize science and technology activities under a national umbrella that would set science and technology policy, strategies, plans and programs.  To this end the Higher Council for Science and Technology was established in 1987 to build a national science and technology base to contribute to the achievement of national developmental objectives, through increasing awareness of the significance of scientific research and development by providing the necessary funding for such activity and directing R&D activity toward developmental priorities.  The Council was also entrusted with the establishment of specialized centers for R&D activity where appropriate, and represents the Kingdom in regional and international S&T activities.

The Higher Council is presided over by HRH Prince El Hassan Bin Talal, who has been instrumental to the progress of science and technology in Jordan from the very beginning.  Under the Chairmanship of HRH, the Council is made up of the following:

The Minister of Planning
The Minister of Industry and trade
The Minister of Finance
The Minister of  Education
The Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources
The Minister of Agriculture
The Joint Chief of Staff of the Jordanian Armed Forces
The Secretary General of the Higher Council for Science and Technology
The President of the Royal Scientific Society
The President of the Amman Chamber of Commerce
And three persons of qualification and experience.

The HCST exercises the following powers and responsibilities in realization of the objectives for which it was founded:

• Ratifying the general policy of science and technology in the Kingdom, defining its priorities, and drawing up the related programs and plans as well as following up on their implementation and evaluation.
• Drawing up the strategies suitable for the development of scientific and technological potential in the Kingdom and providing the scientific environment suitable to this purpose.
• Supporting the institutions and units of scientific and technological research and providing the necessary funding for the support of scientific and technological research as well as scientific and technological services and activities in the Kingdom.
• Participating in the supply and training of manpower and technical potential for scientific and technological research institutions.
• Specifying conditions and requirements that should be made available in accredited scientific centers and centers of excellence and working towards the assistance and development of such centers.
• Ratifying the principles and basis in accordance with which the Council provides financial aid to scientific and technological research, programs, services and activities so as to realize the aims of national policy in these fields.
• Ratifying the annual budget and supervising its application.
• Drawing up draft laws and regulations concerning the Council.
• Representing the Kingdom before Arab, regional and international institutions and bodies concerned with science and technology.
• Undertaking scientific and technological cooperation and concluding agreements related to scientific and technological research in collaboration with local, Arab, regional and international organizations.

The Council may establish affiliated specialized centers of scientific and technological research.
Looking into any other matters the Council chooses to consider.

The General Secretariat of the Higher Council for Science and Technology follows up on developmental fields including industry and mineral resources, agriculture and water, the environment, infrastructure, and developmental cooperation.  This is undertaken in accordance with the decisions taken by the Higher Council as related to all fields of science and technology activity.  The General Secretariat also follows up on the implementation and coordination of the activities that assist in enhancing the endeavours of various economic sectors from the scientific and technological angle.  Such activities are usually undertaken at the initiative of the Higher Council and its General Secretariat or through the financial support of international institutions.

The Jordanian Government provides the Higher Council with an independent budget through which the Council supports research and development projects and programs. This includes activities that contribute to strengthening the channels of communication and increased coordination and cooperation between various national institutions, thereby providing the basis for enhancing the role of S&T in comprehensive development.

Description of the staff involved in the project:

Isam Mustafa is the manager of the Science and Technology Resources Development Department (STRDD) in addition to managing the Industrial Development Unit. His responsibilities at STRDD include International S&T Cooperation, Technology Transfer, S&T Policy and Strategy formulation and review, Science and Technology Requirements and Potentials, Evaluation of Industrial R&D Projects and Managing R&D projects. In the area of International S&T cooperation he is managing the Jordan Information Point (InP) {www.inp.jo} the objective of which is to provide information on the opportunities and modalities for the participation in FP6 (Sixth Framework Programme) and beyond.

Moreover, he is currently managing several S&T cooperation agreements and initiatives that include the following (refer to http://www.hcst.gov.jo/): the German Research Agency,  the European Commission, Egypt, Tunisia, the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils, ESCWA, Rotchild Foundation, the national Science foundation/USA.

In the area of R&D he is currently a member of the management committee in charge of managing four R&D projects in the areas of:

• Geothermal Energy Utilizxation in Jordan
• Oil Shale Utilization in Jordan.
• Industrial application of Polymers.
• Medicinal Plants applications.