The King Abdullah II Fund for Development (KAFD) has announced that seven research projects submitted by students from Jordanian universities have won support under the Undergraduate Research Innovation Support Project (RISP). This step aims to empower youth and encourage them to develop innovative scientific solutions that address societal challenges and strengthen the knowledge economy.
In this context, KAFD Director General Samer Al-Mufleh stated that the support comes as part of efforts to contribute to the development of the technical and applied education and training ecosystem, in alignment with the Economic Modernization Vision, particularly within the research, development, and innovation (RDI) sector. He added that the initiative also promotes investment in technology and artificial intelligence within curricula and teaching and learning processes, while fostering effective partnerships with both the public and private sectors to enhance graduates’ readiness to enter the labor market.
RISP is implemented in partnership with the Jordan Design and Development Bureau (JODDB), with the aim of supporting university students in developing their research projects and transforming their scientific ideas into practical applications that serve society and strengthen Jordan’s innovation ecosystem.
The project provides both technical and financial support to university students during the implementation of their graduation projects, enabling them to further develop their ideas into practical, applicable solutions. Financial support for each project can reach up to JD5,000, in addition to technical and advisory guidance.
Among the winning projects is the development of a smart prosthetic arm that combines lightweight design with precise movement, utilizing artificial intelligence technologies and advanced sensors. The project, titled “JoTouch,” was submitted by a team from Al-Balqa Applied University. Another winning project from Amman Arab University focuses on developing a training system for electric vehicles using mixed reality technologies, providing a safe and interactive learning environment for training students on high-voltage vehicle systems.
From Jordan University of Science and Technology, a project was selected that focuses on developing radiation-shielding materials using bismuth nanoparticles embedded in a polymer matrix, aiming to provide lightweight and effective protection for medical and industrial applications. Another winning project from German Jordanian University involves designing and building a low-cost 3D bioprinter capable of producing tissue structures using bio-ink that mimics natural tissue composition.
Additionally, a project from University of Jordan was selected to develop an intelligent assistant that supports doctors and residents in analyzing medical images such as CT scans and MRIs using artificial intelligence and natural language processing, contributing to improved diagnosis and medical education. From Al-Hussein Technical University, a project was selected to develop a drone system based on the “drone swarm” concept, consisting of a central drone and multiple sub-drones operating collaboratively to perform autonomous missions, even in environments affected by communication or GPS interference.
The support also includes a research project from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Jordan aimed at generating retinal cells from stem cells derived from patients with inherited retinal disorders, contributing to the development of innovative treatments for retinal degeneration and vision loss.
RISP aims to foster a culture of innovation among students and encourage them to develop ideas that are applicable, sustainable, or eligible for patent registration. It also seeks to generate scientific solutions to challenges faced by local communities, while aligning with national initiatives supporting the research sector, particularly the Scientific Research Priorities Project launched by the Higher Council for Science and Technology.
The project further aims to provide students in both public and private universities with the tools necessary for creativity and innovation in implementing their applied research projects, enabling them to transform ideas into practical solutions. It also offers opportunities to participate in international scientific events and gain new skills and experiences that strengthen their role in building a productive and active society in scientific and educational fields.
It is worth noting that RISP was launched in 2004, having supported since its inception 391 student project ideas and contributed to the registration of three patents, as part of KAFD’s ongoing efforts to enhance the role of youth in development, innovation, and national modernization tracks.