HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan

HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan is a leading advocate for science as a catalyst for change. She is a dedicated science enabler in the Arab World where so many challenges urgently require science-based solutions. The Princess has worked for over a decade to help foster an environment for home-grown solutions to pressing issues facing the region. HRH is President of the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), Chair of the Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), and Vice-Chair of the Jordan Museum.

In June 2017, the Director-General of UNESCO appointed HRH as UNESCO Special Envoy for Science for Peace. This unique honour recognises HRH’s efforts to combine science and research with cultural heritage, to foster peace, opportunity, and prosperity. Princess Sumaya was Chair of World Science Forum 2017, which was held in Jordan under the theme of ‘Science for Peace’. This biennial conference was founded in 1999 and is the leading global forum for scientists and policymakers. WSF 2017 marked its first time in the Middle East.

She has dedicated herself to facilitating research opportunities and outputs in Jordan. She is the founder of the Advanced Research Centre at the RSS and has been a supporter of the SESAME project from its initiation to the present.

HRH is Chair of the Board of the Amman Baccalaureate School. She believes strongly in the importance of creative education from the earliest stages to drive positive change in the region.