Princess Sumaya University for Technology host successful conference on technology commercialization

The conference was held on the 15th and 16th of November, 2006.

The event was organized by the Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship (QRCE), the Royal Scientific Society, and the Higher Council for Science and Technology. Its rich agenda featured several interactive presentations and case studies all presented by a group of international and local specialists in relevant fields.

Two panels were present at the event; one panel highlighted the private sector's experience in creating thriving and innovative companies with prosperous potential for growth. This panel was entitled 'QRCE, Laying Foundation for Jordan's Future'. The second panel highlighted the public sector's experience in fostering innovation and Intellectual property (IP) regulations and was headed by His Excellency Dr. Khaled Elshuraydeh, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources.

The event was attended by entreprenurs and researchers from the local arena and delegations from Syria, Oman, England, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates. Participants were given the opportunity to pitch in their feedback and commented positively on the effectiveness of the conference and its proceedings.

Commenting on the event, Mr. Basel Sadiq El Kilany, Manager of the National Technology Commercialization Program (TCP) said, 'This national conference falls within the QRCE's agenda to increase the awareness of researchers and innovators about the economical value of their intellectual assets and steer them towards commercializing their inventions.'

The event led to talks on issues pertaining to the creation of a national awareness campaign specialized in the field of IP and commercialization. This project is to be implemented in cooperation with the IP help desk located at the Higher Council for Science and Technology and with the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The campaign will be brought to life through the establishment of a mobile unit designed to target related ministries, universities, and other institutions.

The goals achieved by this initiative are to be met through further interactions with the Ministry of Education in particular, in order to implement the teaching of IP concepts within the educational systems in schools. In addition, Jordanian universities will be contacted to be assisted in the creation of an inventor's handbook for university students, professors, and researchers.

The event organizers on their part expressed their gratitude to all the efforts made by all speakers and especially the ones who came from across the globe: Mr. Jabir Walji (key note speaker from the U.K), Dr. Reyad Sawfta (USA), and Mr. Ziad Zarka (UAE). They also articulated their appreciation to the National Fund for Enterprise Support (NAFES) for sponsoring the event and the Talal Abu Ghazaleh Group for making this occasion a pillar in Jordan's technological advancement.