Princess Sumaya addresses ACS students on science and technology

AMMAN — HRH Princess Sumaya, president of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), on Monday evening spoke to students and families at the American Community School (ACS) about the importance to Jordan and the region of studying and developing science and technology. 

Introducing the princess, ACS Superintendent Larry McIlvain underlined how she has dedicated herself to fostering an environment in which home-grown solutions can be found for pressing issues facing Jordan and the region, according to an RSS statement e-mailed to The Jordan Times. 

McIlvain stressed that ACS, which contains a large number of students from Jordan as well as Americans and many other nationalities, is committed to reaching out locally to help foster sustainable development and a better life for all in the country. 

“We are determined to do all we can to make science work for Jordan and its people,” the princess said in her speech, noting that the RSS was founded in 1970 with that very vision in mind. 

“Its role to this day is to be the reference point for scientific knowledge and research in the Kingdom, to provide data, research and inspiration to solve problems through a diversity of expertise.” 

The princess stressed that “we must celebrate our often forgotten scientific heritage, and we must allow it to inspire a new age of discovery.”

“Critically, we must challenge ourselves to work harder and with more unity in order to achieve meaningful progress and sustainable development,” she added, expressing hope “that despite the pressures of a challenging regional and economic environment, government, academia and industry” will cooperate “to create the necessary environment for innovation to flourish”.

“We must own the future. And science must enable us to do so,” the princess said, noting that “Jordan has made great efforts in recent decades to develop a roadmap for development through science, technology and innovation.” 

The Princess concluded that “the key to everything is our talented and connected young people.” 

“Never before has a generation felt that they owned the future. I know that you have a deep respect for the past, for where you have come from. But you have a wonderful appreciation of where you are going. I hope that knowledge of your community’s past achievements will inspire you to take greater ownership of today’s fast-paced world of technology and innovation. I hope that you will embrace it and become a part of it and make science your tool for change and development.”

Princess Sumaya’s speech was the final talk in this cycle of the ACS Speaker Series, which will recommence in the autumn, with plans to invite the new US ambassador to Jordan to speak in October, the statement said.