AMMAN - On behalf of HRH Princess Sumaya, the president of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), Vice President of the RSS for Knowledge Management Nabeel Al Fayoumi on Saturday launched a programme titled "Data Intensive Science".
The programme aims to build the capacities of Jordanian students who are interested in dealing with big data related to scientific applications such as space science and other fields that rely on analysing and benefitting from big data through building advanced artificial intelligence systems, an RSS statement said.
The programme is funded by the Newton Khalidi Fund and organised by the Centre for Doctoral Training at University College London (UCL), the Jordanian AstroJo Institute and the RSS, the statement said.
"Data Intensive Science" is currently training 45 male and female students, at both bachelor's and master's levels, from the University of Jordan, Princess Sumaya University for Technology, the Hashemite University, Al al-Bayt University and Mutah University.
During the launch ceremony held at the RSS, Fayoumi said that the programme consists of a group of lectures and practical training workshops covering the basics of machine learning and the uses of Artificial Intelligence in the fields of space science.
These activities will take place over a period of four consecutive semesters, in addition to a three-month period of training to be undertaken at British institutions and companies, the statement said.
Fayoumi said that programmes that are implemented in cooperation with international research centres will enable students to develop innovative ideas and actively contribute to achieving a “qualitative shift towards a real digital economy” by activating the role of fourth generation technologies in building advanced scientific and applied solutions to help in achieving the country’s economic and social development goals “faster and more comprehensively”.
Ofer Lahav, professor of astronomy at University College London and the principal investigator of this Newton grant was quoted in the statement as saying: “We are delighted to start this project between UCL and Jordan on Artificial Intelligence [AI] for big data. The collaboration with Jordan is an important milestone for our Centre for Doctoral Training in Data Intensive Science.”
“AI methods are used by students for a wide range of problems: From understanding the nature of the universe to improving human life on our planet," he added.
The programme’s director in Jordan, who is also the director of the AstroJo Institute, Ala'a Azzam, emphasised the need to train and educate young people in Jordan in the field of data intensive science due to its various applications in multiple sectors in the Kingdom, including education, housing, energy, medicine, space science and others.
She noted that the institute is currently training 17 young Jordanian researchers who are preparing scientific research works specialising in space science within joint programmes between the institute and experts from universities and international research centres.
The programme will subsequently be implemented in Egypt and Turkey, where students who pass it will be accredited as instructors in those countries, the statement said.
The Newton Khalidi Fund, which was launched in 2017 under a memorandum of understanding between the governments of the UK and Jordan, aims to encourage and support capabilities in the field of research and innovation in the Kingdom, according to the statement.
It seeks to achieve long-term sustainable growth and expand cooperation between policymakers in the government, research organisations, higher education institutions, companies and institutions to the greatest extent possible in the field of research and innovation, read the statement.
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