Amman, December 9: Princess Sumaya University for Technology signed an ePublishing agreement with Al Manhal, which will enable Al Manhal to electronically distribute the publications (intellectual and scientific material, literature and a wide range of researches and studies), and work on developing it, as well as modifying it technically and electronically, to serve as a product intended for sale, inside and outside the Kingdom.

The agreement was signed by University President, Dr. Mashour Al Rifae, and Al Manhal CEO, Mr. Mohamad Al Baghdadi, in the presense of Al Manhal General Manager, Mr. Basheer Al Nasser. Also present were the Dean of the Faculty of King Abdullah Scientific Research and Graduate Studies Professor Dr. Walid Salameh, and the Director of the Hassan Library at the University, Ms. Nermin Shuqom.

Mr. Mashour Al Rifae stated that this collaboration, gives the university and its students the opportunity to access local and global content which supports their academic and intellectual mission, by accessing the expertise knowledge of other students at Arabic and regional universities.

Dr. Rifae added that allowing Al Manhal to publish the dissertations and distribute them to all neighboring Arabic universities plays a very important role in supporting the advancement of international education and exchange of knowledge, through the dissemination of research, studies, theses, and scientific materials, and by not monopolizing such rich and important content.

From his side, Mr. Mohamad Al Baghdadi discussed the role that Al Manhal plays by providing an open space for scientific and cultural exchange between different institutions, publishing houses, universities and scientific research centers in the Arab world, held to international standards, which benefit both the publishers and the user.

Mr. Baghdadi added that Al Manhal uses latest technologies and research tools which makes it one of the strongest Arabic content platform and most diverse on an international level.

This agreement comes within the framework of the university to communicate with the private sector, as the university is working on launching new programs which commensurate with the requirements of the labor market's growth and with the vision of teaching new unique majors, for the first time in Jordan. The agreement also comes within the framework of encouraging scientific research in the private sector.