The President of Yarmouk University, Professor Islam Massad, met with a delegation from the American Fulbright Commission for Educational Exchange, which included Dr. Brian J. Bowe, Dr. Anita Bright, and Dr. Jennifer Green, to discuss possible ways of cooperation between the two sides. Massad stressed that Yarmouk seeks, based on its strategic plan, to meet international standards in teaching most of its programs by taking many measures and steps that enable Faculties to achieve international accreditation for their programs. He mentioned that several Faculties of Yarmouk have already gained such accreditation, such as Al-Hijjawi Faculty for Engineering Technology, the Faculty of Information Technology and Computer Science, and the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels. He then stated that one of the University's current priorities is to develop and update the study plans for most majors to keep pace with recent changes and developments in the different fields of knowledge. Massad also explained that the Faculty of Educational Sciences at the University, supported by USAID, is implementing the Higher Diploma Program for Teacher Preparation, which aims at preparing a generation of teachers capable of performing the educational mission in the Kingdom’s schools efficiently and competently. Moreover, he called for extending bridges of cooperation with Fulbright highlighting the value of increasing the opportunities for scholarships offered to Yarmouk students and enabling them to complete their graduate studies in various fields at American universities.
In return, the members of the delegation stressed their keenness to strengthen research and scientific cooperation between Jordanian and American universities through Fulbright programs and to create opportunities for scientific, academic, and research cooperation between Yarmouk and various American universities in areas of common interest. They praised the distinguished reputation of Yarmouk University, stressing the extent of the distinction of its Faculty of Mass Communication due to its embrace of distinguished scientific figures, equipment, and facilities. Finally, they emphasized the importance of strengthening research cooperation between the two sides in the field of media in addition to other majors, such as educational sciences and languages.
Al-Safadi: strengthening the home front and standing behind the leadership, army, and security authorities are the protective shield and support for Palestine.
Massad: Our constants are based on His Majesty’s vision and decision: “No to the displacement of Palestinians... No to an alternative homeland.”
Massad: Yarmouk will remain at the forefront of national scientific institutions, lifting Jordan’s renaissance and creating generations beholding national, Arab, and humanitarian concerns.
The president of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Al-Safadi, said that His Majesty King Abdullah II speaks with the voice of truth and expresses the conscience of humanity, as there is no way to achieve security and stability in the region except by stopping the brutal Israeli aggression against Gaza Strip and maintaining the rights of the Palestinian people. Al-Safadi attended a dialogue symposium organized by the late Samir Al-Rifai Chair for Jordanian Studies at Yarmouk University entitled “Jordan’s firm positions under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II towards the Palestinian case and the repercussions of the war on Gaza and the importance of Strengthening the home Front”. The symposium held in the presence of the University President, Professor Islam Massad, in Al-Kindi Auditorium, was moderated by the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Mohammad Anqara.
Al-safadi stated that Jordan has become at the forefront of the global political scene through the communications and meetings held by His Majesty the King. He pointed out that His Majesty the King is leading a broad international movement, and therefore Jordan has become a center for regional and international interaction and a focus for effective diplomacy aiming at stopping Gaza war and creating a political horizon that brings everyone back to the dialogue table. He then stated, "We are proud of the young men of the Royal Jordanian Air Force who, based on royal directives, carried out an airdrop to provide urgent medical and pharmaceutical aid to the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza Strip, considering that the Jordanian field hospital is still performing its duty of conscience despite the bombing and destruction witnessed by the Strip." He also stressed the importance of preserving the home front, confirming that "We must always give priority to the voice of wisdom in such difficult and delicate circumstances".
For his part, Massad said: “At this sensitive historical stage, we stand behind our role model and ideal, His Majesty King Abdullah II Ibn Al-Hussein, whose firm positions and insightful visions expressed in international forums always support the Palestinian cause and advocate it against the aggression practiced by Israel.” He added that we in this country reject the war, destruction, and genocide and that we support Palestinians with everything we have. Massad also stressed that Yarmouk University will remain at the forefront of national scientific institutions, lifting the renaissance of Jordan and creating generations beholding national, Arab, and humanitarian concerns.
At the end of the symposium, an extensive discussion took place in which Al-Safadi answered the students’ and attendees’ questions and inquiries.
The Dean of Student Affairs at Yarmouk University, Dr. Moatasem Shatnawi, confirmed that the University provides its international students with the utmost care and follow-up deploying all its capabilities to enable them to continue their studies and succeed in the labor market after graduation. During his meeting with representatives of the Indonesian community students studying at the University, Shatnawi said that the Deanship of Student Affairs is always trying to provide all the services needed by its international students, create an attractive university environment for them, and provide them with the opportunity to participate in various student activities and implement their own activities in coordination with the deanship. Al-Shatnawi also expressed the University’s pride in being the home for Indonesian students known for their academic excellence and good morals, expressing the University’s wishes for them to succeed in their studies and enjoy their life experience at the University.
In return, the representatives of Indonesian students studying at Yarmouk appreciated the University’s interest in helping international students and its keenness to provide them with much care in all matters related to their study and stay in Jordan. They also extended their thanks and appreciation to the University administration and the Deanship of Student Affairs, expressing their wishes for Jordan and its people to keep progressing and achieve prosperity.
The meeting was attended by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for international students, Dr. Yari Al-Nimri, and the Director of the Student Welfare Department at the Deanship, Mohammad Al-Saad.
A delegation from the Faculty of Arts at Yarmouk University visited the Azerbaijani Embassy in Amman and met with the Azerbaijani Ambassador, Mr. Eldar Salimov, to discuss possible means for strengthening cultural and academic cooperation between Yarmouk and the scientific and cultural institutions in Azerbaijan. The delegation included the Head of the Department of Semitic and Eastern Languages, Dr. Hassan Al-Zyout, the Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Dr. Saleh Jaradat, Dr. Raba’ Rababa’ from the Department of Semitic and Eastern Languages, and the Director of the Yunus Emre Turkish Institute, Mr. Ensar Firat.
During the visit, ways of academic cooperation between Yarmouk University and various Azerbaijani universities were discussed, and several points related to enhancing cultural and academic understanding between the Turkish language program in the Department of Semitic and Eastern Languages in Yarmouk’s Faculty of Arts and Azerbaijani universities were discussed as well. Ambassador Salimov praised the bilateral relations between Jordan and the Republic of Azerbaijan in various diplomatic, cultural, and educational fields, stressing the embassy’s keenness to strengthen any joint cooperation and expand its horizons. In response, Dr. Zyout stressed the keenness of the Department of Semitic and Eastern Languages to network and cooperate with various educational and research bodies, which will reflect positively on the progress of the educational process in the various programs offered by the department. He then called on the Azerbaijani embassy to build bridges of educational and research cooperation between Yarmouk and various Azerbaijani higher education institutions.
The Faculty of Information Technology at Yarmouk University achieved remarkable success in the National Programming Competition for Jordanian Universities (JCPC), organized by the Jordanian Coders Association, and hosted by the University of Applied Sciences, in which more than 75 teams from various Jordanian universities participated. The Faculty students succeeded in achieving two advanced positions in this competition; consequently, these Yarmouk students are approved as qualified to participate in the regional competition for the Arab region in its 26th edition, which will be hosted by the Academy of Marine Sciences in the city of Alexandria in the Arab Republic of Egypt at the end of this month. The competition aims at developing talents and building the programming capabilities of university students around the world by enhancing their creativity, teamwork, and team spirit.
The Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Qasim Al-Radaideh, expressed his pride in the excellent performance of the Faculty students in the competition, stressing that their achievement reflects the continuing successes of Yarmouk University in the field of programming and technology, and its commitment to developing the skills and abilities of students in this field. He stressed also the keenness of the University to support the permanent participation of its students in such competitions and events due to their importance in providing students with experiences and skills required in the labor market. Al-Radaida then mentioned that the Faculty teams had previously won the national competition and got qualified to participate in the Arab competition in 2016 and 2019.
However, Yarmouk teams of programming this year, which are supervised by Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Al-Otoum and Dr. Enas Khashashna, include these students: (The First team: “TheVoid” includes Mahmoud Khaled Al-Araj, Omar Jihad Al-Kurdi, and Abdul Rahman Louay Abu Nabhan) while (The second team: “WhatTheBug” includes Nabil Samir Ismail, Ahmed Nabil Jaber, and Haitham Omar Atallah).
The Dean of the Faculty of Mass Communication at Yarmouk University, Dr. Amjad Al-Qadi, participated in the second edition of the World Media Congress held in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. During the scientific session titled “Artificial Intelligence and Media Transformation: Opportunities and Challenges,” Al-Qadi presented the experience of Yarmouk University represented by the Faculty of Mass Communication in dealing with academic challenges and advancements related to the technological and industrial transformations in media industries. He stressed that media faculties and journalism teaching programs in Jordan understand their responsibilities for involving their current academic programs, teaching staff, and infrastructure into the technical development and rapid transformations witnessed by the press and media industry market, which demands for using artificial intelligence techniques.
In the same session, which was moderated by the former Dean of Mass Communication Faculty in Yarmouk, Professor Khalaf Tahat, the latter indicated that Yarmouk University decided to embed the concepts of digital transformations and artificial intelligence within its elective courses, thus providing the opportunity for every academic program to introduce artificial intelligence applications that suit its educational outcomes. However, the session also included a group of prominent academics and deans from Arab and international universities, including Dr. Hussein Amin from the American University in Cairo, Dr. Abdullah Al-Kindi from Sultan Qaboos University, Dr. Ahmed Al-Zahrani from King Abdulaziz University in Jaddah, Dr. Wei Lu from Zhejiang University of China, and Dr. Ahmed Al Mansoori, the Head of the Media Department at the United Arab Emirates University.
Noteworthy here is that the World Media Congress titled “Shaping the Future of Media” included an exhibition in which the most prominent international and local brands revealed the latest technologies, products, and services in the media sector. The conference also hosted international media pioneers discussing the latest topics and trends in the sector. On the sidelines of the conference, sessions were held covering various topics of the press, radio, television, the Internet and social media, which makes the Congress an excellent opportunity for media professionals to learn about the latest trends and challenges in the sector.
In a detailed analysis reminiscent of the complexities of modern warfare, it has been determined that Israel's extensive military operations in Gaza are not only a source of profound humanitarian concern, but also a significant environmental issue.
According to the evaluation conducted by the authors, it has been estimated that in the first 35 days of heightened conflict, emissions amounting to approximately 60.304 million tonnes of CO2 equivalents were discharged. The figure encompasses a range of sources, including fuel consumption, munitions, Trinitrotoluene (TNT), the demolition of buildings and the reconstruction of civilian infrastructure. Most of these emissions are attributed to the destruction and subsequent rebuilding of infrastructure, a stark reminder of the often-overlooked environmental consequences of warfare. Further, projections suggest that should the conflict continue for a year, as hinted at by Israeli forces, the total emissions could escalate to an alarming 629 million tonnes CO2e. The findings of this analysis underscore the paramount importance of integrating environmental considerations into the processes for resolving conflicts and the strategies employed for post-conflict reconstruction.
Fuel consumption
Deep insights into the environmental impact of contemporary warfare reveal a notable concern: the substantial greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the extensive use of fuel in conflict zones significantly contributes to climate change. However, accurately quantifying the fossil fuel consumption in these areas poses a significant challenge, primarily due to the limited availability of data and the uncertainties associated with the scope of these environmental impacts. A detailed analysis of such consumption would necessitate a wealth of data and assumptions, including the quantity of vehicles used in military and logistical operations, their operational characteristics, the distances they travel and the structure of supply chains. Acquiring this kind of military-related information is rarely feasible in peacetime and virtually impossible during conflict. Alternatively, a broader approach might involve making educated guesses about the military forces' fuel usage. Despite the limitations and uncertainties of available data, this method could offer a rough estimate of fuel consumption levels. The Israeli occupation forces were supplied with 300 kilotonnes of these fuels in September. In October, this figure significantly increased three times, indicating a notable escalation in fuel supply to these areas. This increase is similar to the increase that happened during the Russian-Ukrainian war.
In the national reports on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions submitted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), emissions related to military activities are categorised under 1.A.5 OTHER (Not elsewhere specified) in the standard reporting framework. This category encompasses emissions from all unspecified fuel combustion sources, which includes emissions stemming from the use of military fuels (1.A.5.a for stationary combustion and 1.A.5.b for mobile combustion). Although this category might cover other sources of emissions as well, it represents the most dependable data source for evaluating the extent of military-related emissions in Gaza prior to the Israeli’s invasion. According to the most recent data available for UNFCCC, 448.03 kilotonnes CO2 is generated by 140 kilotonnes of fuel. Thus, total fuel consumption by Israel’s war on Gaza is estimated at 1.92 million tonnes CO2e, so far.
Munitions
During the war, artillery weapons were extensively used. These weapons can fir1e a projectile weighing around 40 kg to distances ranging from 17 to 40 kilometres. The GHG emissions are generated from the production of raw materials for munitions, their transportation to battlefields, the combustion of the propellant when fired, and the explosion of the warhead upon impact. As these munitions are likely refurbished to replenish stocks during the war, the emissions from their production are significant for assessing the war's climate impacts.
The daily artillery usage varies greatly, estimated between 5,000 to 60,000 rounds, and fluctuates with the intensity of frontline shelling. It is assumed that Israel uses 50,000 rounds daily (or 1.85 million over 35 days). These conservative estimates factor in limited information and high uncertainty. Additionally, significant munitions are destroyed in strikes on depots, further impacting emissions. The average CO2e emissions for each artillery round used in this context is approximately 1.4 tonnes resulting in approximately 2.59 million tonnes CO2e.
Emissions from TNT usage
The emissions resulting from Israel's use of TNT during the conflict can be quantified based on the amount of TNT used and the CO2 emissions it produces. Israel utilised a total of 30,000 tonnes of TNT, equivalent to 30,000,000 kilogrammes. The combustion of TNT generates a significant amount of carbon dioxide, with each kilogram of TNT producing approximately 1.467 kilograms of CO2. The total emissions from TNT usage are so far 0.044 million tonnes CO2e.
Emissions from building demolitions
The CO2 emissions resulting from the1demolition of buildings during the conflict are a significant contributor to the overall environmental impact, particularly within the context of the construction industry's role in global CO2 emissions. The construction industry plays a significant role in global CO2 emissions, accounting for approximately 11 per cent of the total. This percentage includes emissions from a range of activities such as the production of energy-intensive materials like concrete and steel, the transportation of these materials, the operation of construction machinery, and notably, the demolition of buildings. When a building is demolished, it not only generates a considerable amount of waste but also leads to substantial CO2 emissions. For example, demolishing a 100-square-metre office building typically results in about 1,000 metric tonnes of waste and approximately 110,000 kg of CO2 emissions.
In the scenario of the conflict, where an estimated 50,000 buildings have been destroyed, each with an average size of 500 square meters, the environmental impact is markedly high. The larger size of these buildings implies a proportional increase in both waste and CO2 emissions as compared to smaller structures.
Assuming each 500-square-meter building generates around five times the waste and CO2 emissions of a 100-square-meter building, the cumulative effect on CO2 emissions from the demolition of these buildings is substantial, reflecting the significant environmental cost of such widespread destruction in conflict zones. This also highlights the importance of sustainable construction practices, such as the development of green buildings, which have a much lower CO2 emission footprint compared to traditional construction methods. The total emissions from Building Demolitions are so far 27.5 million tonnes CO2e.
Reconstruction of civilian infrastructure
The reconstruction of civilian infrastructure, a crucial aspect in the aftermath of conflict, carries with it significant CO2e emissions. On average, the reconstruction of each destroyed unit is estimated to generate approximately 565 tonnes of CO2e. Given the extensive damage incurred, with around 50,000 units needing reconstruction, this equates to a substantial total of 28.25 million tonnes of CO2e. This estimate is aligned with the emissions observed in similar reconstruction efforts, such as those following the Russian-Ukrainian conflict.
In summary, the total CO2 emissions resulting from various activities during the first 35-day conflict are considerable and are estimated to be approximately 60.304 million tonnes CO2e. If the conflict were to extend for a year, as suggested by the Israeli occupation forces, the total emissions could potentially escalate to around 629 million tonnes CO2e, which is equivalent to the production of CO2e emissions of an industrial country like Germany in 2020. This total notably includes the significant emissions from the destruction and subsequent demolition of buildings, the most substantial contributor in this assessment. Such figures highlight the profound environmental impact of the conflict, underscoring the need for considering environmental factors in conflict resolution and post-conflict recovery.
The President of Yarmouk University, Professor Islam Massad, affirmed that the two brotherly peoples of Jordan and Palestine meet together in a number of commonalities that have brought them together throughout history, thus forming a solid unity that is strong and powerful. This came during Massad’s participation in the blood donation campaign organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs, in cooperation with the Faculty of Law, under the slogan “Whoever saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all people” to support the people of Gaza and the steadfastness of the Palestinian people. Massad said that the Yarmouk supports the wise Hashemite leadership and its honorable stance in supporting the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and advocating them against the brutal massacres they are subjected to by the Israeli occupation forces. He also stressed that Yarmouk will not hesitate to help the families in Palestine and will remain keen on promoting the national values among the University students and creating a conscious generation that believes in the issues of its homeland and nation. Massad also praised the willingness of students and employees to donate blood remarking their keenness to carry out their humanitarian and national responsibility.
It is noteworthy that the organization of this campaign was supervised by the Assistant Dean of the Faculty of Law for Student Affairs, Dr. Diala Al-Ta’ani and Dr. Safaa Al-Suwailami from the Faculty, in coordination with the Imprint of Hope Association from the local community and the blood bank at the Ministry of Health.
There is a broad consensus regarding the adverse impacts of the Israeli occupation forces' war on Gaza, both on the Palestinian economy and the economies of the surrounding region. Similar to economies worldwide, this region has faced a series of successive shocks in recent years, starting with the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by the effects of climate change, and even extending to the Russian-Ukrainian war. However, the blockade imposed on Gaza seventeen years ago has been particularly devastating, leading to the collapse of its economy. Similarly, the economy of the West Bank has faced significant challenges due to the obstacles imposed by the occupation.
A report, jointly published two decades ago by several reputable international organizations (including the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and the United Nations Trade and Development Organization (UNCTAD)), sounded the alarm about the dire consequences of allowing the Palestinian territories to plunge into crises and poverty. Unfortunately, over the years, the living conditions in both the West Bank (around 3.1 million individuals, including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip (2.2 million people) have deteriorated significantly. The situation in the Gaza Strip, in particular, has worsened due to the imposition of an Israeli blockade after the Islamist group Hamas took control in 2007.
Therefore, it can be said that prior to the "Al-Aqsa Flood" operation carried out by the Palestinian resistance against Israel on 7/10/2023, coupled with the subsequent declaration of war on Gaza, the economic situation in the West Bank, particularly in the Gaza Strip, was very difficult. As per the findings of the World Bank, the economy of Gaza experienced a contraction of 2.6% in the first quarter of this year. This decline can be attributed to a substantial downturn in the agricultural and fishing sectors, where a decrease of 30% was observed, resulting from the occupation authorities' decision in August 2022 to impose restrictions on the sale of Gaza fish in the West Bank.
Examining the employment situation in Gaza, all metrics present a cause for great concern. Data provided by the World Bank reveals an unemployment rate of 46.4% (equivalent to approximately 245 thousand individuals), among the youth, this rate reached an alarming 60%. Moreover, a staggering 83% of the working population in Gaza receive wages below the minimum acceptable threshold. As a result, more than half of the population lives below the poverty line, while two-thirds of households in this coastal enclave battle food insecurity. In comparison to Gaza, the situation in the West Bank can be characterized as relatively less severe. The unemployment rate in the region stands at 13%, and approximately 23% of the population experiences food insecurity. However, the West Bank's economy faces significant challenges due to restrictions imposed by the occupation forces, including the presence of numerous checkpoints and laws that curtail the freedom of movement for individuals. Israel accounts for 70%-80% of the West Bank's exports and imports, further exacerbating its economic dependency.
One can easily anticipate the impact of the war of extermination and starvation on Gaza's people's livelihoods and the reality of the aforementioned figures. Mr. Khaled Al-Assili, the Minister of National Economy of the Palestinian Government, noted that according to the statistics of 2022, the number of industrial and commercial establishments in the Gaza Strip reached 50,000 establishments, varying from factories to shops in local markets. Unfortunately, these establishments have become targets of Israeli missile attacks, resulting in unprecedented losses in the history of military operations in the region.
Mr. Al-Asili highlighted that since 7/10/2023 factories have closed their doors, while the Palestinian Ministry of Economy lacks any statistics on the extent of the destruction, due to the ministry's limited mobility. Al-Assili, further stated, "Streets no longer exist, nor do sewage networks, and, most significantly, Israel targeted the deteriorating electricity infrastructure. Gas and fuel supplies have depleted, while the labor force struggle to secure shelter for their families."
The latest assessment of the Israeli aggression on Gaza (as of Friday, 27/10/2023) indicates unprecedented figures that depict the scale and the magnitude of killings and destruction. The number of martyrs reached 7,028, with 18,484 injured individuals. Furthermore, the number of displaced individuals reached 1,500,000, partial damage was incurred by 190,000 residential units, while 29,000 units became uninhabitable. Additionally, 189 schools were damaged, 38 mosques were completely destroyed, and three churches suffered significant damage (Source: Palestinian Ministry of Health and the Gaza Government Office).
In conclusion, it is of paramount importance for this savage war, whose objectives extending beyond military targets to the destruction of the social and economic infrastructure and render the Gaza Strip uninhabitable, to cease. In this regard, his Majesty King Abdullah II reaffirmed Jordan's unwavering position in rejecting any attempt to displace the Palestinian people from their lands. His Majesty considered the denial of food, water, and electricity to innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip as a "war crime" that the international community must reject. His Majesty also stressed the necessity of opening humanitarian passages to facilitate the urgent medical and relief assistance to the Strip, calling for stopping the war on Gaza and preventing its spread to the West Bank, to mitigate their destabilizing consequences on the broader regional security landscape.
The preparation of scientific competencies in various fields of knowledge, and the production of innovative scientific research aims to serve society by providing exemplary education in an intellectually stimulating university environment.
