Amman, March 29 (Petra) -- A new professional program aimed at strengthening integrated resource management across water, energy, food, and environmental systems has been launched, in a step aligned with broader efforts to build climate resilience and support sustainable development.

The three-month program is being implemented by the Royal Scientific Society in partnership with the Hashemite University, under the European Union-funded "Baraka" project. It seeks to develop specialized expertise in what is known as the water-energy-food-environment nexus, an approach that emphasizes the interdependence of key resource systems and the need for coordinated policy and technical solutions.

According to organizers, the program is structured around six core courses covering a wide range of technical and governance topics. These include greenhouse gas inventory methodologies, climate change dynamics, conventional and renewable energy systems, climate-smart agriculture, water innovation technologies, and circular economy principles. The curriculum also addresses governance frameworks needed to manage the nexus effectively across sectors.

Officials involved in the initiative say the program reflects a growing recognition of the need to institutionalize knowledge in cross-sectoral resource management, particularly in regions facing mounting environmental and resource pressures.

Director of the Water, Environment and Climate Change Center at the Royal Scientific Society, Dr. Al-Muayyad Al-Sayyed, said the initiative focuses on bridging theoretical knowledge with practical application. He added that support from the European Union through the "Baraka" project plays a key role in enhancing resilience by promoting green innovation and integrated solutions.

From the academic side, Associate Professor at the Prince Al-Hassan Bin Talal Faculty for Natural Resources and Environment at the Hashemite University, Dr. Diaa Al-Rousan, described the program as the first of its kind in Jordan. He pointed to the importance of institutional collaboration in developing applied national programs that align with the country’s Economic Modernization Vision.

Dean of the faculty, Prof. Suleiman Al-Kawafhi, emphasized the strategic importance of such initiatives in advancing sound governance across interconnected sectors, particularly as policymakers and practitioners seek more efficient and sustainable resource management models.

The first intake of participants reflects a cross-sectoral approach, bringing together representatives from government entities, private sector institutions, universities, and civil society organizations. Organizers say this diversity is intended to foster practical dialogue and knowledge exchange across disciplines and sectors.

//Petra// RZ