Jordan Times
Monday, May 23, 2005
Queen, US first lady visit education, community empowerment projects
AMMAN (JT) — Her Majesty Queen Rania and US First
Lady Laura Bush on Sunday joined students and youth from the INJAZ and Discovery
School programmes in exploring their future dreams and aspirations.
During a visit to the Sweifiyeh Secondary School for Girls, the Queen and Bush
were briefed on the Jordan Education Initiative (JEI) and its programmes,
through a showcase illustrating a student's journey through school and the tools
he/she acquires at Discovery Schools.
Launched at the 2003 World Economic Forum by Cisco CEO John Chambers, the JEI is
an innovative e-learning project developed out of a partnership between Jordan
and Cisco Systems to serve as a model of effective ICT-enabled learning that can
be replicated and implemented across the Kingdom as well as other countries in
the region.
Jordan was chosen as the pilot nation for the implementation of the project, and
several “Discovery Schools” were selected to pilot the scheme in the Kingdom.
They serve as a test bed of how ICT can enable new systems to be used and
benefit schools and their pupils.
Following the briefing, the Queen and the US first lady joined students aged
14-22 from the INJAZ and Discovery Schools programmes in discussions on how to
utilise the skills and tools acquired through the programmes, in order to make
substantial contributions to society as the leaders of tomorrow.
Responding to questions like where do they see themselves in 10 years' time, the
students were given the opportunity to use their imagination and creativity in
thinking about their future.
The students described Jordanian youth as open-minded and leaders of change, who
gained their skills, competitive drive and ambition through educational
programmes and leadership courses at schools and universities.
Queen Rania and Bush also paid a visit to the Jordan River Foundation (JRF)
Showroom yesterday, where handicrafts made by women from the Bani Hamida Village
are on display. JRF Director General Maha Khatib briefed the first lady on the
foundation's work and its numerous programmes.
The JRF, established in 1995 and chaired by Queen Rania, is a nonprofit
non-governmental organisation, which seeks to empower society, especially women
and children, thus improving their quality of life.
The US first lady is on her first visit to Jordan as part of a Middle East tour.
At the end of her trip, Bush conveyed to the press her appreciation to Their
Majesties King Abdullah and Queen Rania for their hospitality, commending the
friendship between Jordan and the US.
She also noted that the programmes she had the opportunity to visit were a model
in the region and the world. She added that Jordanian students were enthusiastic
and possessed leadership qualities and team spirit, as a result of the skills
taught through such programmes.