Amman, July 1 (Petra) – Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) Secretary-General Mashhoor Rifai and South Africa’s Ambassador Tselane Mokuena discussed expanding cooperation in science and technology fields and developing scientific research and innovation partnerships.

The two sides discussed financing joint research projects, exploring cooperation in areas of mutual interest and potentially signing a memorandum of understanding to establish a "long-term strategic" partnership between the HCST and its South African counterparts.

Talking at the meeting, Rifai highlighted the "strong" Jordanian-S.African relations, voicing HCST’s interest in establishing links with counterpart institutions in South Africa, exchanging expertise and benefiting from international experience in innovation and research management.

He reviewed the council’s programs and initiatives, including the transfer of the Scientific Research and Innovation Support Fund under HCST’s umbrella, which creates opportunities to strengthen institutional integration and advance Jordan’s national research and innovation system.

Rifai also called for building "effective" partnerships with local and international industries and developing mechanisms for technology transfer and research commercialization through licensing agreements, business incubators and joint industrial projects.

He presented an initiative supporting students in Gaza through the El Hassan Platform for Learning, in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the Palestinian Ministry of Education and several universities in Gaza.

The ambassador, in turn, commended HCST’s position in local and international scientific circles, urging coordination to establish "productive" cooperation in science, technology and innovation.

The diplomat referred to networking HCST with counterpart institutions in South Africa and strengthening ties among universities, research centers and industry, particularly in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

//Petra// AO