Amman Arab University (AAU) Wins Bronze Medal at the 2026 Nuclear Science Competition with an Innovative Project
In a new scientific achievement that adds to its record of excellence and leadership, a team from Amman Arab University has won the bronze medal at the 2026 Nuclear Science Competition, organized by the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, with the participation of 15 Jordanian universities and several academic institutions. The university’s participation came in line with the directives of the University President, Professor Mohammad Al-Widyan, and under the supervision of the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Dr. Anwar Al-Assaf, and Dr. Akram Mousa, Head of the Department of Renewable Energy Engineering. This reflects the Faculty of Engineering’s commitment to strengthening the practical aspects of education and linking theoretical knowledge with real-world applications.
Amman Arab University was represented in the competition by a team of students from the Department of Renewable Energy Engineering, including Abdulrahman Al-Atiyat, Ahmad Abu Shmala, Adel Kattaneh, Rajab Ramzi, and Abdullah Al-Natsheh. The team was supervised by Dr. Akram Mousa, Dr. Ayman Agha, and Engineer Omran Al-Yahya. They presented an innovative project titled:
“Nexus: A New Approach to the Desalination of Aquatic Sources in Jordan Using Nuclear and Renewable Energy.”
The project proposes an integrated and sustainable model that links water and energy within an innovative framework. It utilizes Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) to desalinate Red Sea water in the city of Aqaba, which is then transported to various regions across the Kingdom. Simultaneously, the generated energy is used for electricity production, while surplus water is stored in Al-Wehda Dam in northern Jordan. The system’s efficiency is further enhanced through the use of floating solar panels cooled by water, which increases their productivity and reduces evaporation rates.
Additionally, excess energy is directed toward the production of pink and green ammonia, forming part of a smart, integrated system that combines multiple energy sources and supports environmental sustainability.
In recognition of Amman Arab University’s role in advancing knowledge, H.E. Professor Khaled Toukan, Chairman of the Jordan Atomic Energy Commission, honored Professor Mohammad Al-Wadian in appreciation of the university’s pioneering efforts in promoting scientific awareness, fostering high-quality research initiatives, and creating an academic environment that encourages innovation and prepares graduates capable of making a meaningful impact on national development.
On this occasion, Professor Al-Wadian stated that this achievement reflects the university’s vision of directing scientific research toward addressing national challenges, particularly in the water and energy sectors. He emphasized the university’s continued support for applied projects that bridge academic knowledge with practical needs. He added that the project demonstrates an advanced level of innovative thinking among students and their ability to propose feasible scientific solutions based on the integration of nuclear and renewable energy sources. He also commended the efforts of the supervising faculty members for their role in developing students’ research and practical skills, contributing to the preparation of highly qualified graduates capable of competing locally and regionally, and supporting the path toward sustainable development.
Professor Al-Wadian further noted that Amman Arab University hosts the Arab Council for Sustainable Development, one of the councils affiliated with the Association of Arab Universities, reaffirming the university’s ongoing commitment to advancing sustainability issues at both the Arab and regional levels, and to preparing graduates capable of actively contributing to sustainable development.
