In a strategic move to strengthen collaboration between the public sector and academia, and to promote institutional innovation in the development of modern cities and enhancement of public services, the Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) and Al-Hussein Technical University (HTU) — a Crown Prince Foundation initiative — have signed a partnership agreement to establish a Joint Innovation Unit.
This initiative aims to create a sustainable institutional model that drives tangible urban transformation in Amman and reinforces the city’s position as a regional leader in municipal innovation and agile governance.
The agreement stems from a shared commitment to fostering institutional synergy for sustainable development and impactful city solutions. Under the agreement, an Institutional Innovation Unit, named HTUTheCoreX GAM, will be established within GAM, operating under the umbrella of the Smart City Directorate. The unit will serve as a collaborative platform for developing and implementing real-world municipal solutions using design thinking and HTU’s applied innovation methodologies.
The collaboration will focus on projects that respond to urban challenges—such as smart transportation systems, traffic management solutions, and optimizing municipal services through artificial intelligence and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The unit will also work to foster a culture of innovation among GAM employees and HTU students by designing technological tools that promote civic engagement, support entrepreneurial initiatives, and advance smart city solutions.
Importantly, the partnership emphasizes program sustainability, ensuring that initiatives continue regardless of changes in leadership or policy.
Dr. Yousef Shawarbeh, Mayor of Amman, affirmed the importance of the agreement, stating: “This partnership supports our vision for Amman to become an innovative, smart city—one that evolves with change by investing in knowledge, technology, and strategic collaboration. This agreement marks a major milestone in our smart city journey by offering a genuine platform to turn innovative ideas into practical projects that improve lives and enhance urban sustainability.”
Prof. Ismael Al-Hinti, President of HTU, emphasized the role of education in driving impact, saying: “At HTU, we believe in the power of applied education and strategic partnerships to create real change. This agreement is a practical step toward building a national model for government innovation and empowering local talent to lead the way.”
The initiative aligns with GAM’s broader strategy to transform Amman into a sustainable smart city and underscores the role of universities as key partners in development. The new innovation unit is expected to launch its first pilot projects in the coming months, relying on real municipal data, practical field testing, and a nurturing innovation environment that enables talent and redefines agile public service delivery.
This partnership sets a precedent for meaningful collaboration between government institutions and academic entities, paving the way for future innovations that place citizens at the heart of urban development.