His Majesty King Abdullah on Thursday launched a programme to support scientific research in applied sciences in order to boost local industries.



During a visit to King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD), the King, who donated the necessary funds for the project, said the programme should target teaching staff at universities and higher education students who carry out research aimed at developing products to advance the Kingdom's industrial sector.



The King called on the KAFD to cooperate in these efforts with universities and the army-run King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau, which mainly develops military vehicles and equipment for the region's market.



Moreover, he urged KAFD executives to open channels of cooperation with international research institutions and “institutionalise this cooperation to provide Jordanian students studying abroad with opportunities to conduct research in Jordan and assist technology transfer.”



He referred to meetings he had held with Jordanian youth studying in the West who had made remarkable research achievements.



The King said KAFD's board of trustees should find ways to attract these students to return home and serve the country's development process.



The programme, he said, should target young people who lack the financial capabilities to complete their higher education, by offering them scholarships in the Kingdom and abroad.



Chairman of the KAFD Board of Trustees Faisal Fayez underlined the achievements of the fund over the past five years.



KAFD Director Tareq Awad said the number of scholarships for excelling students is expected to reach 1,200 this year, adding that more funds will be appropriated to support scientific research.



KAFD was established by a Royal Decree in 2001 as a non-governmental organization.



The fund serves all segments of the Jordanian community in order to achieve developmental goals in all 12 governorates and elevate the standard of living.



Since its inception, KAFD has extended financial assistance to 50 scientific projects, three of which have won patents.



According to Awad, KAFD has so far spent a total of JD27 million on its projects and is expected to channel JD7 million to beneficiaries this year.



KAFD boasts nine major projects that support development plans in the Kingdom, including the National Microfinance Bank, the Integrated Olive Products Company, the Red Sea Fishing Company and the King Hussein Ben Talal Convention Centre, among others.

The Jordan Times