Jordan builds international research partnerships
The Jordanian research community is active in numerous areas and participates in the EU's FPs. However, substantial Jordanian capabilities remain untapped. The EU-funded project 'Enhancement of Jordan-European S&T partnerships' (EU-JORDANNET) was designed to deliver an ambitious capacity building programme geared towards the Jordanian National Contact Points (NCPs) with a focus on the FP7 'Cooperation and People' programmes. Thematic cooperation areas targeted were Health, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), and the Environment. Partners promoted Marie Curie activities to increase the mobility of researchers between Europe and Jordan. The overall goal was to get both the research community and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) more involved. EU-JORDANNET included activities targeting researchers, administrators and policymakers. Scientists focused on training Jordanian researchers regarding FP7 proposal writing as well as training of administrators in the management of international research contracts. In addition, the network facilitated the building of partnerships with European counterparts. Six thematic partner events were held, each including one-day brokerage events to facilitate EU–Jordanian partnerships. Two partner events covered FP7-People projects. In addition, two training events for administrative personnel at universities and businesses covered the financial and contractual procedures, in particular regarding submission of reports to the EU. Seventeen Jordanian researchers also visited European institutions to develop partnerships for future proposals. Finally, the network created a Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Observatory that will monitor and evaluate quantitative indicators of the national research and innovation system. Sixty proposals were submitted by Jordanian organisations for the FP7 Cooperation programme, of which 20 % were funded. Twenty proposals for the Marie Curie action of the People programme resulted in the participation of Jordanian partners in two such projects. EU-JORDANNET made important progress in raising awareness of and participation in FP7 projects on the part of Jordanian researchers. The project also facilitated the building of EU–Jordanian networks and the establishment of a research framework, including infrastructure such as the STI Observatory. Building on the project's successes and with the goal of further strengthening Jordanian participation, efforts are continuing through EU funding of the new EU-JordanNet II project.
