Ammon News - Al Hussein Technical University (HTU) and Sahara Forest Project on Tuesday held an ceremony to conclude the first training cohort of their joint upskilling programme entitled "Agricultural Technology and Food Security".

Minister of Water and Irrigation, Raed Al Soud, Norwegian Ambassador to Jordan and Iraq Tone Allers and Sahara Forest Project Managing Director and Head of Board Kjetil Stake attended the event via video conference in addition to University President Ismael Hinti.

This first upskilling programme came pursuant to the memorandum of understanding that was signed between HTU and Sahara Forest Project in June which aimed at supporting the development of a Jordanian talent pool that is skilled in the areas of modern agricultural technology and energy.

The first training project was supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Jordan and the Costa Corciere Foundation.

13 female bachelor’s degree holders from 7 different Jordanian universities were selected to participate from about 90 applicants.

The participants experienced applied technical training at the hands of practicing professionals in the agriculture, energy, and economic sectors who designed curricula and learning experiences that aimed at providing the participants with the skills they need to successfully venture into and offer value to the agricultural technology job market.

In addition to addressing technical skills, the program aimed at taking action to increase women’s active participation in economic development and specifically in the field of technology. Hence the participants were guided and supported by two female mentors; sustainability consultant Ruba Zubi and Director of Operations at Mujeb Organic Farms Zeina Fakhriddin, who volunteered to counsel the trainees during the 4-month programme.

The training included two visits to the Sahara Forest Project site in Aqaba and several visits to private and government-owned agricultural and renewable energy establishments, giving trainees the opportunity to develop their skills in an applied approach.