The University of Petra has signed an applied research cooperation agreement with Al-Ahliyya Amman University and Jordan Dairy Company "Maha", to develop an innovative dairy product that works to provide the body, specifically the colon, with beneficial bacteria, which contributes to protecting the digestive system from many diseases.

The executive committee of the Industrial Research and Development Support Fund (IRDF) of the Supreme Council of Science and technology has agreed to support the project. The signing of this bilateral agreement is a prelude to completing the procedures for signing the trilateral agreement between the parties concerned.

The process of delivering beneficial bacteria to the Colon faces many challenges, including the acidic environment of the stomach, digestive enzymes in the intestine, and gallbladder secretions. The researchers believe that the importance of the innovative product lies in its ability to protect these bacteria and deliver them to the colon without being affected by surrounding factors.

The research project aims to produce a dairy product rich in probiotics, using a technology developed by the University of Petra known as "manufacturing innovative alginate microcapsules", and also seeks to translate academic knowledge and transform it into an industrial product that enhances the added value of the food industry sector in Jordan.

The agreement was signed by the President of the University of Petra, Prof. Rami Abdel-Rahem, the President of Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Prof. Sari Hamdan, and the General Manager of Jordan Dairy Company, Eng. Ghazi Jaber.

The agreement was signed in the presence of the Chancellor of the University of Petra, Prof. Adnan Badran, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Dr. Maher Al-Hourani.

The President of the University of Petra, Prof. Rami Abdel-Rahem, praised the agreement, saying:" today's project is a promising project that shows how scientific research can be reflected and positively affect the national economy," pointing out that the university began years ago to move towards applied scientific research to provide products that meet the needs of industry and serve the national economy.

The Chancellor of the University of Petra and Chairman of its Board of Trustees, Prof. Adnan Badran, stressed the importance of networking between universities and industry, calling at the same time to strengthen cooperation between private universities to produce scientific research that promotes the national industry, he said: "We need to link the results of scientific research with the industrial sectors in various fields, whether in the agricultural and food sector, the energy sector and others".

The Vice President of the University of Petra for Academic Affairs, Prof. Mayyas Al-Remawi, made a presentation on behalf of researchers from the two universities about the joint project and the innovative product, noting that no similar product has been launched in the local or regional markets to ensure the safe arrival of beneficial bacteria, which makes it a competitive product in the local and global markets, which enhances the possibility of exporting it abroad and supporting the national economy, saying that the project is "a value-added step capable of competing locally and globally".

The delegation of the University of Petra included: Assistant to the President for International Agreements and Cooperation Affairs, Dr. Kenza Mansour, General Manager of Petra Education Company, Mr. Samer Al-Tayeb, Dean of Scientific Research, Prof. Faisal Aburub, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Prof. Nasser Dkeidik, and Director of the Public Relations Department, Mr. Ala'addin Arabiyat.

The following attended from Al-Ahliyya Amman University: Dr. Ghaleb Erekat, Dean of the Faculty of Supporting Medical Sciences, Dr. Mohammed Malkawi, faculty member, and from Jordan Dairy Company: Deputy General Director, Mr. Ahmed Al-Hourani, and Financial Director, Mr. Marwan Hanoun.