In September 2023, GYA members and alumni met founding members from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, including GYA Advisory Board member Her Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan.
Organized by the Royal Scientific Society (RSS) and hosted by the German-Jordanian University (GJU), GYA Co-Chair Priscilla Kolibea Mante (Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana) met with GYA alumnus and President of GJU Ala’aldeen Al-Halhouli, along with GYA Executive Committee Hussam Hussein (Royal Scientific Society, Jordan), GYA alumna and founding member and current Senior Assistant to the President of RSS, Abeer Arafat (Royal Scientific Society, Jordan), and GYA alumna and founding member Islam Ahmad (Royal Scientific Society, Jordan).
During the meeting, Priscilla explained that GYA is focusing on rethinking research assessments methods, as well as how to make academia more inclusive.
Ala’a explained the importance of supporting and fostering applied research, thereby ensuring an impact on sustainable development. Hussam explained that the GYA supports National Young Academies, and plans to help establish new young academies in the region.
Abeer emphasized the important steps that the GYA has taken since its establishment during the IAP Conference of Young Leaders, held in connection with the World Economic Forum in Tianjin-China in 2008.
Islam highlighted the necessity for collaborations amongst Jordanian members to increase opportunities for young researchers. Her Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, President of the RSS, has been an advocate for inclusive academia supporting early-career researchers and young academics.
HRH has been on the Advisory Board of GYA since 2018 and continues, also in this capacity, to create opportunities for younger generations of scientists to ensure the inter-generational nature of global science events.
