AMMAN — Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hussein Fund for Excellence (HFE), Adel Sharkas, presided over the awards ceremony for the winners of the fourth cycle of the Hussein Fund Economic Research Awards.

 

Speaking on behalf of the Governor, Deputy Governor, Khaldoun Weshah, said the award, launched in 2026, aims to focus research on applied economic issues that support policymakers and provide practical solutions.

 

During the event, attended by leading figures from the banking, economic and media sectors, he added that the award has become a prominent platform for researchers, fostering analysis and high-quality studies to support informed and sustainable policymaking.

 

Weshah noted that the fourth cycle introduced new priority areas, including financial technology, the green economy and labour markets, alongside traditional focuses on monetary policy and the financial sector.

 

He said the results reflect the high standards of Jordanian institutions in producing research that supports economic policymaking.

 

Weshah announced the fifth cycle for 2026, covering monetary policy, banking, fintech, labour and productivity, and growth drivers under the national Economic Modernisation Vision (EMV), and expressed his appreciation to the Hussein Fund Board.

 

"The award aims to remain a leading platform, developing economic knowledge and preparing researchers to provide practical, evidence-based solutions to economic challenges," he said.

 

Director General of the Hussein Fund for Excellence, Ali Yaghi, said the HFE Research Award remains one of Jordan’s most prestigious national prizes.

 

He also expressed his gratitude to the Board of Trustees for their guidance and support, and commended the participants for their outstanding contributions, noting the integrity and impartiality of the Scientific Committee and judging panel.

 

Yaghi also noted that the fourth cycle attracted wide participation, with 130 entries across research papers, master’s theses, and doctoral dissertations in five key areas; monetary policy, the financial and banking sector, the green economy, labour economics, and digital economy and Fintech.

 

Contributions came from academic institutions 54 per cent, the financial and banking sector 25 per cent, government bodies 16 per cent, and 5 per cent from outside the Kingdom.

 

The results highlighted the excellence of Jordanian institutions and their capacity to produce research that informs economic policymaking. Winners were recognised across research papers, master’s theses, and doctoral dissertations, with studies spanning financial technology, artificial intelligence, block chain, the green economy and entrepreneurship.

 

The Hussein Fund for Innovation and Excellence, established in 1999, serves as the banking sector’s arm for social responsibility, promoting creativity and excellence.

 

The fund annually launches a range of awards and educational initiatives, including the Economic Research Award, the Child Culture Award, the University Graduation Projects Award, and the Design and Digital Manufacturing Labs programme in collaboration with King Abdullah Schools of Excellence.