Jordan, Thailand Discuss Science, Innovation Cooperation

Amman, June 7 — Secretary-General of the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST) Mashhour Rifai met with Thai Ambassador Jirapon Jirampaikool to discuss enhanced cooperation in scientific research, technology and innovation, with both sides signalling intent to explore joint projects, financing mechanisms and a potential memorandum of understanding to establish a long-term strategic partnership.

"The deep-rooted Jordanian-Thai relations" and the HCST’s "keenness to build links" with counterpart institutions in Thailand were central themes of the meeting, Rifai said as he outlined the council’s priorities and programs.

Rifai reviewed the council’s key programs, initiatives and activities, noting that the Scientific Research and Innovation Support Fund was recently brought under the HCST umbrella. He framed the move as a step to "strengthen institutional integration and develop the national research and innovation ecosystem," with particular emphasis on forming "effective partnerships with local and international industrial sectors."

• Rifai urged development of "effective" mechanisms for technology transfer and commercialization of scientific research outputs through licensing agreements, business incubators and joint ventures with industry, seeking to convert innovation into productive economic value.
• Ambassador Jirampaikool emphasised that coordination was "important to launch constructive" cooperation, noting the symbolic backdrop of Jordan and Thailand marking 60 years of diplomatic relations.
• The HCST’s National Center for Research and Development is coordinating the Red Sea Conference, which the HCST will hold early next year; Jirampaikool expressed particular interest in that event.

Both sides discussed concrete modes of collaboration, including financing arrangements for joint research projects and targeted cooperation in areas of mutual interest. The meeting concluded with an agreement in principle to explore drafting a memorandum of understanding to formalise cooperation and create a framework for sustained engagement between the HCST and Thai counterparts.

The transfer of the Scientific Research and Innovation Support Fund into the HCST’s remit was underscored as a strategic enabler. Rifai portrayed the consolidation as opening opportunities to better align funding, policy and industry engagement, and to provide a platform for commercialization pathways such as licensing and incubation. He argued that institutional integration would facilitate partnerships that more closely link universities, research centres and the industrial sector.

For Thailand, Ambassador Jirampaikool called for closer ties between the HCST and Thai institutions that "share similar goals and work mechanisms," with a special focus on collaborating in modern technologies. Her interest in the upcoming Red Sea Conference signals a desire to connect Thai research and industry stakeholders with Jordanian initiatives and regional forums.

Looking ahead, officials from both sides signalled follow-up work on financing models and technical cooperation, and the possibility of drafting a formal MoU to anchor a long-term strategic partnership. The planned Red Sea Conference will serve both as a platform for deeper engagement and as an early testing ground for joint initiatives discussed during the June 7 meeting.