Jordan Times
Wednesday, August 18, 2004
RSS to restructure operation,
develop scientific research
By Mahmoud Al Abed
AMMAN — Jordan's industries are to receive expert advice and assistance from the
Royal Scientific Society (RSS) to give them a competitive edge in the global
economy, officials at this non-profit organisation told The Jordan Times.
RSS President Sa'ad Hijazi said the society is currently engaged mainly in two
tasks: Developing scientific research as the basic tool used in serving
industrialists and conducting studies to restructure the entire RSS operation,
expected to be ready in a few weeks.
The 34-year-old organisation is now building up a specialised applied research
team under the supervision of Professor Fateh Bhinder, an international expert
in the field.
The expert and people in charge of the project are currently screening
applications of candidates, some of whom will be sent on PhD scholarships to the
University of Hertfordshire. Successful applicants will specialise in the
various fields of mechanical and electronic engineering.
Professor Bhinder is not a mere outsider but has an added value that he puts at
the disposal of the RSS. Hijazi said the international expert has strong
connections with leading industrialists in Jordan and with the King Abdullah
Design and Development Bureau (KADDB), a military-run research and development
facility created to provide a one-stop solution for the supply of defence and
commercial equipment optimised to the requirements of the Middle East. The RSS
is working to build a long-term and fruitful relationship with the bureau, the
official said.
The ultimate goal of the process is to make the society a more efficient body
with increased capability in solving the problems of national industries. The
RSS believes the Kingdom's industries are fighting a fierce battle for survival
in the shadow of globalisation.
“Competition is very fierce,” Hijazi said, “and industrialists are fully aware
they need help to have added value. The RSS is very well-placed to give them a
hand... Industrial organisations need a partner in research, development and
technical services that meets their aspirations and help them achieve a
competitive edge in the international market. RSS seeks to assume this very role
and the restructuring process under way is directed to fulfill the requirement
of such a task.”
The RSS realises there are shortcomings that need to be addressed. Officials
speak of dozens of examples of individual initiatives by enthusiastic and
“bright” researchers who have designed remarkable systems or given distinguished
assistance to clients. But that is not enough, they say, highlighting the need
to institutionalise such potential.
The society is gearing up to rectify situations diagnosed with deficits. It has
set up 10 committees tasked with tackling the various aspects of the
organisation's work. These panels are due to present their recommendation to
their superiors by the end of this month, when the decision making stage will
start.
One of the goals envisaged by the process is “to cultivate a culture of
empowerment. We seek to empower our employees so that their productivity shoots
skyward,” Hijazi said. This is to include a new system of “effective
incentives,” and other ways to acknowledge staff achievements and innovative
performance.
The RSS also believes the pricing system should be corrected so that the
services offered to customers are as affordable as possible.
Hijazi said his organisation will do its best to ensure transparency in the
restructuring process, announcing that the public will be acquainted with the
decisions to be built on the ongoing studies.
The Royal Scientific Society was established in 1970 as a not-for-profit
national research and development institution. The organisation enjoys financial
and administrative independence.