Prince Hassan calls for instilling a culture of science at 10th International Petra School of Physics

AMMAN — HRH Prince Hassan, chairman of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST), on Monday stressed the importance of utilising modern scientific discoveries, applications and technologies to empower human capabilities and improve their dignity. 

Prince Hassan made the remarks while addressing the 10th International Petra School of Physics, held under the theme: “Quantum Computing: Theory and Applications”. 

The event was organised by the faculties of science at the Jordan and Yarmouk universities, in cooperation with HCST and Italy’s Trieste-based Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics. 

The prince said that the purpose of hosting this year’s events is to encourage and stimulate scientific research in Jordan, establish a wide forum in the Arab world to exchange views on science and technology, and highlight the role of physics in the development process, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  

He stressed the importance of adopting analytical thinking and spreading the culture of science, creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation, and establishing a base for absolute knowledge, referring to the significance of partnership in knowledge and expertise exchange which contribute to sustainable development. 

President of the University of Jordan Nathir Obeidat called on universities, industries and markets to come up with organisational, educational and commercial strategies aimed at maximising the potential of quantum technology while also mitigating its potential negative  impacts on each of these sectors.

President of the Yarmouk University Islam Massad said that aspiring teachers and researchers in science should be “students who always seek new knowledge”, noting that “absolute facts are always relative facts of tomorrow”. 

Sami Mahmoud, president of the school, said that quantum technology is  rapidly advancing and has the potential to revolutionise various aspects of computing, telecommunications, medicine and security.

Petra School of Physics was established in 1980 under the patronage of Prince Hassan, after a visit to Jordan in 1979 by Nobel Physics Laureate Mohammad Abdus Salam. 

The school launched its first conference in 1982 and continued ever since to familiarise Jordanian and regional students, scientists and engineers with the latest developments in modern sciences.

The scientific team of physicists at the universities of Jordan and Yarmouk has been engaged in their joint work and research since the first conference, under the support of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics.