Founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Al-Manaseer Group, Eng. Ziad Al-Manaseer, visited the German Jordanian University (GJU), where he reviewed its pioneering experience in the fields of scientific research, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He also participated in an extensive dialogue session with students from various public and private Jordanian universities on the Ziad Al-Manaseer Award for Scientific Research and Innovation.
The visit began with a meeting with the University President, Professor Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli, who provided an overview of the university’s vision and strategic mission, as well as its efforts to enhance integration between applied education, scientific research, and the industrial sector through the establishment of effective partnerships that contribute to supporting innovation and transforming knowledge into economic and societal value.
Al-Halhouli emphasized that the university is working to strengthen the ecosystem of applied research, innovation, and entrepreneurship through the Deanship of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship, and the Technology, Research and Innovation Park (TRIP), which provides a supportive environment for transforming ideas and research into projects and products with economic and social impact. He also stressed the importance of partnerships between universities and the private sector in empowering youth and researchers, finding practical solutions to national challenges, and promoting sustainable development.
He noted that the Ziad Al-Manaseer Award for Scientific Research and Innovation in the field of agriculture and food security represents a distinguished national initiative that reflects the importance of investing in people, science, and knowledge. It also helps motivate researchers and students to develop innovative solutions to challenges related to food security and sustainability, in line with the Royal directives and the Economic Modernization Vision based on knowledge, creativity, and innovation.
The visit included a tour of the Deanship of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Entrepreneurship, and the Technology, Research and Innovation Park (TRIP), as well as several advanced research centers and laboratories. During the tour, Eng. Ziad Al-Manaseer was briefed on the university’s efforts in supporting applied scientific research, enhancing the innovation environment, and linking educational outcomes with labor market needs, in addition to its partnerships with companies and industrial institutions.
He also learned about several specialized centers and projects within the park, including the Center for Nano and Precision Technologies, and the Circular Economy Center for Used Electric Vehicle Batteries (C-Hub), as well as the startup project “Nexus Nature”, one of the university-incubated companies. The company works on transforming scientific research outputs into applied solutions in weather monitoring and smart agriculture by developing low-cost systems based on sensors and digital technologies to monitor soil and environmental conditions and provide precise recommendations to farmers, thereby improving water use efficiency and agricultural productivity.
The visit also included an interactive dialogue session that brought together Eng. Ziad Al-Manaseer with students from various Jordanian universities. The session addressed the role of scientific research, innovation, and entrepreneurship in supporting economic development, and the importance of empowering youth to transform their ideas and research projects into practical solutions with sustainable economic and social impact.
During the session, Al-Manaseer emphasized that launching the Ziad Al-Manaseer Award for Scientific Research and Innovation stems from his belief that science and knowledge are the true foundation for building the future, and that investing in creative minds is the key pillar for achieving development and progress. He noted that the award aims to incubate innovative ideas and encourage researchers and students to develop creative solutions to national challenges.
He added that the award aligns with the vision of His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al Hussein in promoting comprehensive and sustainable development, as well as the objectives of the Economic Modernization Vision, which places innovation, scientific research, and youth empowerment at its core.
The event concluded with a presentation by the award team on its objectives, categories, application procedures, and participation mechanisms, followed by an open discussion in which Eng. Ziad Al-Manaseer answered students’ questions and inquiries, sharing his experience in entrepreneurship and emphasizing the importance of turning creative ideas into practical projects that contribute to addressing national challenges and promoting sustainable development.
