Under the patronage of Her Highness Sharifa Badour bint Abdul-Ilah Al-Rubaian, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Bright Minds Academy, the 9th International Conference titled “Women in Science Without Borders: Building an Inclusive and Resilient Future Without Barriers” was inaugurated.

The conference is organized by the Faculty of Science at Yarmouk University, in cooperation with the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies and the Center for Refugee, Displaced Persons, and Forced Migration Studies, and in partnership with the Women in Science Without Borders (WISWB) organization and the Science for Global Humanity Society (SHGS).

The opening ceremony was attended by Senator Professor Suhad Al-Jundi, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Political and Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Ali Al-Khawaldeh, Yarmouk University Vice Presidents Professor Ruba Al-Bataineh and Professor Amjad Dheifallah Al-Naser.

In her opening remarks, Her Highness Sharifa Badour stated that the presence of women in scientific fields is no longer a choice or an exception, but rather a vital necessity for building a more balanced and humane world. She emphasized that when women are given the opportunity, they not only illuminate their own paths but also open new horizons for knowledge and innovation.

She added that speaking of “science without borders” means envisioning a world free from discrimination — where creativity is not measured by gender, but by the capacity for discovery and contribution. When women engage in scientific research, she said, they exercise their natural right to think and create, redefining strength from a human perspective grounded in generosity and rationality.

Sharifa Badour stressed that building an inclusive and barrier-free future requires everyone to reexamine systems of education, research, and empowerment so that the scientific environment becomes accessible to all, without exception. She described the inclusion of women in research and innovation as a step toward knowledge justice that enriches both humanity and the universe.

In turn, Professor Ruba Al-Bataineh, Vice President of Yarmouk University, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to supporting women in science, saying:

> “We affirm that women’s issues are not a matter of intellectual luxury nor simply rights to be claimed; rather, they represent genuine achievements and real contributions by women across all scientific fields. It is a partnership aimed at overcoming the challenges women face in different societies.”

She added that Yarmouk University has a clear mission toward its female students, staff, and women in the community, implemented through the Princess Basma Center for Jordanian Women’s Studies in collaboration with various faculties and university units. The goal, she said, is to enhance the presence of “Yarmouk women” and female students academically and socially, in line with the Royal Vision led by His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince — to make women active partners in national development in political, economic, and administrative fields.

Al-Bataineh also expressed Yarmouk University’s pride in Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah as an inspiring global role model for women, noting Her Majesty’s distinguished presence in international forums as a representative of Arab and Muslim women who lead positive change and exert real influence.

Meanwhile, Dean of the Faculty of Science, Professor Moheeb Awwadah, stated that Yarmouk University believes that empowering women in science is not an intellectual luxury but a developmental necessity. Building an inclusive and resilient future, he said, requires the involvement of women in all stages of research, development, and decision-making.

He added that this conference is not merely an academic event, but a scientific platform aimed at breaking barriers and empowering women in scientific fields. He emphasized that growing global challenges call on institutions and individuals alike to provide opportunities for women to be genuine partners in shaping solutions and building the future — particularly in science, technology, and research.

Professor Awwadah highlighted the conference’s significance, noting the diversity of its participants representing a wide range of national and international institutions — including members of parliament, ministries, universities, and research institutes.

It is noteworthy that the conference features 24 researchers (male and female) presenting papers on topics related to women’s empowerment, women in science, the use of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to protect women, women’s volunteer work, and other themes addressing the role of women in science.