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AMMAN — The Civil Defence Department  on Tuesday urged the public to use heaters safely during the winter season, warning that improper use could lead to significant risks to both lives and property.

The Public Security Directorate (PSD) has said that there has been a noticeable decrease in heater-related incidents in 2024 compared with previous years, which officials attribute to increased public awareness, the Jordan News Agency, reported on Tuesday. 

Since the start of the winter season, the Civil Defense teams have responded to 76 heater-related incidents, resulting in 89 injuries but no fatalities, with the incidents primarily caused by suffocation, inhalation of emitted gases, or fires.

The PSD reported a 10-15 per cent decline in such incidents compared with past years but cautioned that the risk could rise as temperatures drop and heater use increases. 

The department also emphasised the importance of adhering to safety guidelines to prevent accidents.

Key recommendations from the PSD include inspecting and maintaining heaters, refraining from refuelling while heaters are on, avoiding the use of heaters for cooking or heating water, and never leaving heaters on while sleeping.

Proper ventilation should be ensured, and the hose connecting the heater to the gas cylinder should be checked, the PSD said adding that heaters should be placed away from curtains and furniture, and high-quality extension cords should be used for electrical connections, with wires carefully checked for damage.

AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Tuesday held a phone call with with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen, where he emphasised the urgent need to preserve Syria's territorial integrity, sovereignty, and unity. 

He also called for measures to ensure the safety of the Syrian people, combat terrorism, and facilitate the voluntary return of refugees to their homeland.

Also on Tuesday, Safadi held a phone call with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss regional issues.

Safadi addressed the latest developments in Syria, stressing the need for continued efforts to enhance bilateral relations between Jordan and Turkey. 

He also highlighted the importance of cooperation to end the ongoing Israeli aggression on Gaza, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. 

Also on Tuesday, Safadi made a phone call with Belgium's newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Foreign Trade Bernard Quintin. 

During the talk, they explored ways to further strengthen the longstanding friendship between the two countries and discussed key regional developments.

Safadi also congratulated Quintin on his new role and both ministers expressed their shared commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors and ensuring continued coordination on regional issues.

AMMAN — The Lower House on Tuesday continued its deliberations to discuss the policy statement presented by Prime Minister Jafar Hassan’s government as part of its bid for a vote of confidence.

During the session, attended by the prime minister and members of his cabinet, the deputies emphasised the need for a comprehensive strategy to ensure food security, including addressing agricultural seasons and enhancing them with processing industries to reduce seasonal losses.

The MPs also stressed the importance of opening investment opportunities and expanding markets, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. 

They also called for stronger alliances with friendly countries to counter Israeli plans and support official and grassroots efforts.

The lawmakers also highlighted the significant challenges facing the Kingdom due to international and economic pressures, urging all stakeholders to work together to address existing gaps, unite efforts, and bolster the country’s internal resilience.

They also called for reducing university tuition fees, with the ultimate goal of achieving free higher education as a fundamental right for every Jordanian, noting that merely increasing student loans does not alleviate the financial burden of education.

MPs also urged the promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises, aligning education with labour market demands, and investing in key productive sectors such as agriculture, industry, and tourism. 

They also called for boosting the partnership between the public and the private sectors and expanding the role of universities in public service and youth leadership development.

The lawmakers also advised raising the salaries of civil and military retirees, improving services in sectors like health, water, agriculture, and tourism, and addressing the critical issues of poverty and unemployment.

AMMAN — Jordan's imports of crude oil, petroleum derivatives, jewellery, grains, and electrical machinery declined during the first nine months of 2024, limiting the overall rise in imports. The Department of Statistics (DoS) said on Wednesday that the value of crude oil, petroleum derivatives, and mineral oil imports decreased by 11.3 per cent during this period, amounting to JD 2.023 billion compared with JD 2.280 billion in the same timeframe last year. Fuel and mineral oils accounted for the largest share of petroleum imports, followed by crude oil, gasoline, diesel, lubricants, and kerosene, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.  Despite the drop in oil-related imports, The Kingdom's overall imports increased by 0.8 per cent, reaching JD 14.012 billion by the end of September, compared with JD 13.894 billion during the same period in 2023.

AMMAN — The Social Security Corporation (SSC) announced on Tuesday that its decision to waive interest on debt instalments, applying a 0 per cent rate, will expire at the end of December. The SSC urged indebted establishments to submit their applications for instalment arrangements at SSC branches before the deadline, according to the Jordan News Agency, Petra.  The corporation also stressed that establishments with active instalment agreements or rescheduling arrangements could benefit from the waiver by applying for a rescheduling. The SSC emphasised its ongoing coordination with chambers of industry and commerce to encourage establishments to take advantage of this initiative, underscoring its importance in reducing outstanding debts.

KUALA LUMPUR — A delegation of representatives from Jordan’s universities recently travelled to Kuala Lumpur to establish and strengthen academic collaborations with Malaysian institutions. 

This initiative aims to enhance research, student exchange, joint academic programmes, and postgraduate opportunities through collaborative master’s and PhD programmes. 

The visit was organised by Education Malaysia Jordan (EMJ), a division under Malaysia’s Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) responsible for the internationalisation of Malaysia’s tertiary education across six countries, including Jordan, Turkey, and Lebanon. 

EMJ plays a vital role in facilitating global academic exchanges and monitoring the welfare of Malaysian students abroad. 

This initiative was part of the UniConnect Programme, an inaugural collaboration between EMJ, the Malaysian embassy, and Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS). 

Radzuwan Ab Rahsid, Minister Counsellor of Education at the Malaysian embassy, told The Jordan Times: “The UniConnect Programme embodies Malaysia’s commitment to fostering cultural exchange and innovation. These partnerships transcend academia, building bridges between our two nations.”

Constructive dialogue 

During their six-day visit, the Jordanian delegation engaged in discussions with Malaysia’s MOHE Director-General and visited seven universities, including University Putra Malaysia (UPM), Asia pacific University of Innovation and Technology (APU), International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), University of Nottingham Malaysia, the UCSI University, and the Management and Science University (MSU). 

The discussions explored three key collaboration areas: academic exchange, technology transfer, and innovation. The visit culminated in the signing of several memoranda of understanding, laying the groundwork for enduring academic partnerships. 

Rami Alazrai, head of the delegation and Dean of Scientific Research at the German Jordanian University, told The Jordan Times: “Being part of this delegation was an inspiring experience and I believe it marks a significant step forward for international academic collaboration."

"These collaborations not only strengthen our institutions but also tackle global challenges by fostering the exchange of knowledge and education, it is a powerful reminder of how cross-border partnerships can drive progress and set the stage for an exciting future in education and science,” Alazrai added.

UniConnect Programme: Vision for collaboration

Launched in April 2024, the UniConnect Programme aims to foster enduring academic and research ties between Malaysia and Jordan through key phases.

The first phase, referred to as the match-making phase, started in April 2024 with the Minister Counsellor of Education at the Malaysian embassy, Radzuwan Ab Rashid, visiting potential universities in Jordan, laying the groundwork for detailed assessments of the strengths and needs of universities in both countries. 

The second phase, referred as the Engagement phase, took place in August 2024, when representatives from 11 Malaysian universities visited Jordan for in-depth discussions with their counterparts. 

The third and final phase, the Action phase, occurred in November 2024, when the Jordanian delegation visited Malaysia, leading to the signing of several MoUs, solidifying actionable plans for collaboration. 

“This initiative is not just about forging partnerships, but also about fostering cultural exchange, mutual understanding, and innovation between our two countries,” said Radzuwan Ab Rashid to The Jordan Times. 

Syed Mosen Alkaff, EMGS’s Regional Head for the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), highlighted the programme’s success: “UniConnect demonstrates the transformative power of collaboration in higher education. We are proud to have supported this initiative and look forward to its positive impact in the years ahead.” 

The Jordanian delegation included representatives from 18 universities, showcasing a collective commitment to global education.

As global education increasingly transcends borders, the partnership between Jordanian and Malaysian universities stands as an example of the power of global collaboration. With shared goals of advancing research, fostering innovation, and promoting cultural exchange, this initiative lays the groundwork for a brighter academic future.

AMMAN — The world celebrates the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3 each year, a global day established by the United Nations in 1992 to increase awareness of disability issues and raise understanding about the participation of persons with disabilities in political, economic, cultural, and other aspects of life.  

This year’s theme for the International Day is “Promoting the Leadership of Persons with Disabilities for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” which highlights the need to address key challenges and obstacles they face and hinder their progress in various fields, according to a statement for The Jordan Times. 

Policymakers, advocates for the rights of persons with disabilities, and protectors against violence must support them, address their situations, and provide recommendations to empower them to actively contribute to building an integrated society and embedding the values of humanity in the community, the statement said.

In this context, the National Centre for Human Rights (NCHR) appreciates the efforts made to protect and promote the rights of persons with disabilities. 

The Constitution and its amendments of 1952 emphasise the principle of equality and non-discrimination and affirm the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities, enhancing their participation and inclusion in various aspects of life, the statement added. 

Jordan also ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, published in the Official Gazette in 2008. 

The Social Development Law of 2024 includes objectives for the Ministry of Social Development, which aim to improve the quality of life for citizens with disabilities by providing them with the best protection and care services in a participatory and just manner, ensuring their human dignity and preserving their privacy. 

Several regulations and instructions have been issued to govern the application of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Law of 2027.

In terms of policies, the Transport Strategy (2024–2028) has been issued and includes several projects serving persons with disabilities, such as the rapid bus project between Amman and Zarqa, the rapid bus project between Sweileh and Queen Alia International Airport, and the project to provide persons with disabilities with the necessary equipment in public transportation facilities and vehicles. 

The centre confirms that it monitors adherence to international agreements ratified by Jordan that pertain to the protection and promotion of the rights of persons with disabilities, as per its legal mandates, according to the statement.

On this occasion, the centre reiterated its recommendations outlined in its annual reports, which include activating the inclusion of persons with disabilities in developing inclusive policies in educational, political, and public life, providing environmental facilities and reasonable accommodations in the health and education sectors, workplaces, judicial institutions, places of worship, and recreational, sports, and tourist locations.