AAU Hosts a Delegation from the University of Twente and AgriWatch

As part of enhancing academic cooperation and exchanging research expertise, the Deanship of Graduate Studies, in collaboration with the Innovation and Excellence Center, organized a visit to AAU by a Dutch delegation. The delegation included Dr. Roshnak Darvishzadeh from the University of Twente and Dr. Ali Abkar, representing AgriWatch. Representing AAU at the meeting were Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Ahmed Hamdan; Dean of Graduate Studies, Prof. Hadeel Yaseen; Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Bashar Al-Tarawneh; Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Dr. Subhieh Saifan; and Dr. Walaa Al-Samadi from the Innovation and Excellence Center. President Prof. Sari Hamdan welcomed the delegation, highlighting AAU's prominent standing in both local and international higher education. He emphasized the university’s alignment with labor market demands and its commitment to providing exceptional educational opportunities for students across various disciplines. He also stressed AAU’s role in supporting food security through the educational and technical services offered by the Faculty of Agricultural Technology. Prof. Sari underscored the importance of strengthening academic relations with Dutch educational institutions, pointing to the potential for student and faculty exchanges and collaborative research. He expressed his appreciation for this joint effort. Dr. Roshnak from the University of Twente praised Al-Ahliyya Amman University for its excellence, expressing her desire to collaborate and proposing the establishment of a joint Master’s program in smart agriculture. Dr. Ali Abkar provided an overview of AgriWatch, a company specializing in smart agriculture, and expressed interest in partnering with AAU and collaborating with the Faculty of Agricultural Technology. During the meeting, Vice President Prof. Ahmed Hamdan emphasized the importance of technological agriculture, especially considering Jordan’s water scarcity. Prof. Bashar Al-Tarawneh suggested enhancing cooperation in smart irrigation, while Dr. Subhieh Saifan highlighted the significance of this partnership for the newly established Faculty of Agricultural Technology, which is equipped with cutting-edge technologies. Following the meeting, the delegation toured the Faculty of Agricultural Technology's state-of-the-art laboratories, which are among the most advanced in agricultural biotechnology. The tour included demonstrations of modern scientific techniques in the food technology lab, plant tissue lab, molecular biology lab, and the smart greenhouse unit. Practical applications of the latest agricultural technologies, such as advanced irrigation systems, nutrient technologies, alternative soil methods, and Dutch pot planting, were also showcased. The visit concluded with discussions on scientific cooperation and applied research. Both parties agreed to develop joint research projects aimed at innovative smart agricultural solutions to address challenges faced by crops, contributing to sustainable development and enhancing food security.