Professor Wejdan AbuAlhaija Launches GEW Jordan 2024
Amman – As the importance of entrepreneurship and modern technologies continues to grow in enhancing lives and economies, and as more youth venture into creating startups to address economic and social challenges, Professor Wijdan Abu Al-Haijaa, President of Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), announced yesterday the launch of the 16th edition of Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) on Monday.
Organized by the Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship at PSUT, in strategic partnership with Zain Innovation Campus (ZINC), GEW 2024 kicks off with a blend of virtual and in-person events across all governates of Jordan and will run until November 24.
Dr. Abu Al-Haijaa expressed pride in the entrepreneurial environment cultivated by the university since the center’s establishment in 2004. Guided by the vision and ongoing support of HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, Chairperson of the Royal Scientific Society and PSUT’s Board of Trustees, the center has become a beacon of excellence, supporting sustainable development goals. She praised GEW as an exceptional opportunity to celebrate entrepreneurship and innovation in Jordan, highlighting the involvement of over 180 partners.
During the press conference held at the main ZINC branch at the King Hussein Business Park, Dr. Abu Al-Haijaa stated, “At Princess Sumaya University for Technology, we believe entrepreneurship is the key to progress and development, and youth are the cornerstone of this transformation. Therefore, we have placed entrepreneurial capacity development at the forefront of our academic priorities. We strive to provide an educational environment that encourages innovation and empowers students to turn their ideas into actionable projects. Through our support of the Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship, we equip them with the tools and knowledge necessary to succeed in their entrepreneurial journeys.”
Mohammad Obaidat, Director of the Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship, emphasized that GEW is the largest global event celebrating innovators and job creators who launch startups, bringing their ideas to life, driving economic growth, and enhancing societal well-being.
Obaidat also noted that this year’s GEW focuses on themes such as ecosystems, education, inclusion, and policy across Jordan’s governorates. The program features a wide array of activities, including lectures, workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities designed to foster professional connections in the fields of entrepreneurship and innovation.
From Zain Jordan, Tareq Bitar, Executive Director of Media, Communication, Innovation, and Sustainability, expressed the company’s pride in its longstanding strategic partnership with the Queen Rania Center for Entrepreneurship and its role in organizing GEW. He described GEW as an annual event eagerly anticipated by youth, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders in Jordan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem. He noted that ZINC will host several activities in its branches across the kingdom, focusing on key entrepreneurial areas that meet market needs and empower entrepreneurs to develop their projects and ideas.
Bitar added that this year’s GEW holds special significance as it coincides with ZINC’s 10th anniversary, marking a decade of enabling entrepreneurs, supporting their ideas and projects, and promoting a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship in Jordan.
Jordan ranks fourth in the region in terms of entrepreneurial activity, boasting around 30 funding institutions and investment funds dedicated to supporting startups, as well as more than 40 incubators and accelerators. Studies indicate that Jordan is home to 200 officially registered startups, while other estimates suggest the number exceeds 400, most of which are tech-based or integrate technology into other sectors.