AMMAN, Jordan – The Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) held the third meeting of its Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) at the Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT). The meeting was held under the patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, President of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS)—Jordan’s leading scientific institution and a founding Centre of Excellence within COMSATS.
The high-level gathering brought together a distinguished cohort of international scientists and experts to provide strategic direction for COMSATS’ future initiatives and review the implementation of its technical programmes.
Charting a Strategic Course for 2025-2030
A central focus of the deliberations was the refinement of the COMSATS Strategy 2025-2030. Committee members provided expert guidance on aligning the organization’s research and development agenda with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Key thematic areas identified for strategic focus included:
- Climate resilience and adaptation
- Digital transformation and Artificial Intelligence
- Public health and biotechnology
- Clean energy technologies
- Strengthening academia-industry linkages
The discussions emphasized leveraging the collective strengths of COMSATS’ 25 International Centres of Excellence through targeted thematic research clusters and integrated capacity-building programs, calibrated to address the evolving scientific and socio-economic needs of the Global South.
High-Level Engagement and Enduring Partnerships
The meeting commenced with an institutional presentation by Prof. Dr. Wejdan Abu-Elhaija of PSUT, showcasing the university’s advanced academic and research portfolio. Opening remarks were delivered by Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, Executive Director of COMSATS, and Prof. Dr. Ashraf Shaalan, Chairperson of the COMSATS Coordinating Council.
In a virtual address, Prof. Dr. Marcelo Knobel, Executive Director of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS), highlighted the historic partnership between the two organizations, both founded by Nobel Laureate Prof. Abdus Salam. He commended their enduring collaboration in advancing scientific excellence and multilateral policy dialogue across the developing world.
Future Outlook: Summit and Network Expansion
Ambassador Zakaria briefed the Committee on ongoing preparations for the Fourth COMSATS Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled for 2026 in Accra, Ghana, under the patronage of the Ghanaian Presidency. In a move to further strengthen the network, he extended an invitation to PSUT for formal inclusion as a COMSATS Centre of Excellence, recognizing its growing contributions to frontier science.
The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of COMSATS’ commitment to fostering South-South and Triangular Cooperation, reinforcing its role as a vital platform for collaborative research and capacity-building dedicated to science-driven sustainable development.
About COMSATS:
The Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the South (COMSATS) is an intergovernmental organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development in the Global South through capacity-building in science and technology, collaborative research, and technical assistance.
BY: The Times Union
