The Vice President of the University for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Professor Omar Al-Ateen, sponsored the scientific seminar organized by the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Al al-Bayt University under the title "Natural Resources Management: Towards Sustainable and Integrated Use," in the presence of the Vice President for Community Affairs, Professor Hani Akhu Rasheeda, and the Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Habes Al-Mashaqa.

During the seminar, the head of the Jordanian Geologists Syndicate, Mr. Khaled Al-Shawabkeh, emphasized that the mining and water sector faces complex challenges that require reconsidering environmental legislation, as it is a fundamental pillar of the national economy that requires the state to review study plans in the geology and environment departments to be more in line with the market's needs and the requirements of the stage.

Al-Shawabkeh clarified that the syndicate seeks to open practical training opportunities for geologists in all schools and official and private state institutions to enable students and geologists to acquire practical skills and enhance the presence of earth science subjects in school curricula to spread geological awareness in the early stages of education.

Al-Shawabkeh also announced the syndicate's intention to hold the Fifth International Environmental Conference in cooperation with Al al-Bayt University for its active role in providing the Jordanian mining sector with the competencies it needs.

In his lecture, Al-Shawabkeh pointed to the mining sector and its role in economic development, the problems the sector suffers from and ways to solve them, and the urgent need to establish a geological survey authority in Jordan to take responsibility for developing the mining and natural resources sector.

Dean Al-Mashaqa explained the importance of this seminar in light of the accelerating environmental and economic challenges at the national, regional, and global levels and the increasing pressure on natural resources in light of population inflation and climate change, which requires us to redevelop and evaluate natural resources management mechanisms in a manner consistent with comprehensive development paths. He added that this seminar provides an opportunity for experts and researchers to shed light on natural resource issues in Jordan and explore the promising potential for sustainable development of these resources.

Dr. Sanaa Al-Zyoud discussed the topic of geothermal energy and the available opportunities, stressing that the optimal exploitation of geothermal energy in Jordan achieves sustainable development goals, as Jordan enjoys hot groundwater rich in minerals, which is the basis of therapeutic tourism, and can also be used in hydroponics and electricity generation. Al-Zyoud pointed to the need to encourage researchers in geothermal water issues due to the lack of specialized research in this field.

Professor Ibrahim Bani Yassin also discussed the topic of "Occurrences and Sources of Mineral Ores in Jordan," noting that geological and geographical factors, global market conditions, and the availability of technical labor have hindered the optimal exploitation of heavy minerals in Jordan, stressing the need for concerted national efforts to find innovative scientific solutions to achieve the optimal exploitation of these resources.

At the end of the seminar, which was moderated by the Assistant Dean and Head of the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Dr. Ahmed Al-Shdaifat, the lecturers answered students' questions and inquiries.​