The Jordan University of Science and Technology was honored to host a delegation from Hear the World, a Swiss organization dedicated to supporting individuals with hearing impairments. The University's representatives included Vice President Professor Dr. Suhad Al-Jundi, Dean of the Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences Professor Dr. Nihaya Al-Shayab, Head of the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences Dr. Alaa Jabr, and Director of the Hear Jordan Project Dr. Safaa Al-Qudah.
The Swiss delegation was led by the Director of Hear the World, Dr. Joelle Pianzola, accompanied by Mr. Domtel Harp, the organization's investment portfolio manager, Mr. Omar Baqa'in, the director of the regional office of Sonova, and Miss Sally Arafat, the marketing director of Sonova. Representatives from the Ministry of Education, including Dr. Sajida Al-Qaisi and Professor Raed Al-Bustanji, as well as delegates from the Jordanian Ministry of Health, including Dr. Muhammad Al-Maayaa, Dr. Ashraf Akl, and Professor Ahmed Al-Kharabsheh, also joined the meeting.
The primary focus of the discussions revolved around exploring avenues of cooperation between the university, Hear the World organization, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Health. The meeting aimed to advance the previously established agreement between the university and the organization, with the involvement of the Ministry of Education and the Jordanian Ministry of Health.
The discussions encompassed the development of an audio screening system for children in Jordan, aligned with international standards. This system is intended for implementation in health centers and schools to address hearing loss issues that may hinder students' academic progress. Additionally, the participants explored opportunities to provide training to educational and health personnel in the Ministries of Education and Health on the proper procedures for conducting audio scans in educational institutions and health centers, as well as the provision of hearing aids to hearing-impaired students.
Vice President Professor Dr. Suhad Al-Jundi expressed her heartfelt appreciation to Hear the World for their invaluable support and initiative. She acknowledged the organization's contribution of essential audio equipment to the university's clinic, which plays a crucial role in training hearing and speech students. She commended Hear the World's efforts to assist hearing-impaired children by providing state-of-the-art audio and speech therapy technologies, ultimately enhancing their academic and social skills.
The participants had the opportunity to visit the hearing and speech clinics at King Abdullah University Hospital. They were briefed on the latest hearing devices available in the clinic, generously provided by Hear the World. Dr. Safaa Al-Qudah offered insights into how this support has significantly improved clinic services, increased patient demand, and elevated the quality of training for university students, preparing them for future careers as audiologists.
Representatives from Hear the World and the Ministries of Health and Education expressed their admiration for the outstanding performance of those involved in the Hear Jordan project. They also lauded the healthcare, educational, and social services provided by the Hearing and Speech Clinic at the Jordan University of Science and Technology, which positively impacts the well-being of the country's citizens.
It's worth noting that Hear the World, a non-profit organization founded by the Sonova Group, supports the Hear Jordan project in collaboration with the Jordan University of Science and Technology. The organization is dedicated to creating equal opportunities and enhancing the quality of life for children with hearing impairments. A generous financial contribution of one million dinars was provided to the College of Applied Medical Sciences, specifically the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences with a specialization in Hearing, through the Hear Jordan project. This support was utilized to equip the Hearing and Speech Clinic at the College of Applied Medical Sciences with essential audio devices and to provide hearing-impaired children with headphones, electronic shells, and sound purification systems as part of their community service initiatives.
