Wajih Mousa Owais ( ar, وجيه موسى عويس) (born November 5, 1947) is a
Jordanian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
He was appointed as Minister in February 2011.
Dr. Owais was the Professor of
Genetics, a
researcher,
Chairman
The chairperson, also chairman, chairwoman or chair, is the presiding officer of an organized group such as a board, committee, or deliberative assembly. The person holding the office, who is typically elected or appointed by members of the grou ...
of
Board of Directors
A board of directors (commonly referred simply as the board) is an executive committee that jointly supervises the activities of an organization, which can be either a for-profit or a nonprofit organization such as a business, nonprofit organiz ...
of
King Abdullah University Hospital,
and the President of
Jordan University of Science and Technology from September, 2003 to February, 2011. In 1972, he got his B.Sc. in the field of
Biology from the
American University of Beirut
The American University of Beirut (AUB) ( ar, الجامعة الأميركية في بيروت) is a private, non-sectarian, and independent university chartered in New York with its campus in Beirut, Lebanon. AUB is governed by a private, aut ...
. In 1975, he got his M.Sc. in the field of
Biochemistry from the
University of Jordan. In 1979, he obtained his Ph.D. in the field of
Molecular Genetics from
Washington State University.
Between 1 June and 28 September 2016 Owais served as Minister of Higher education and scientific research in
Hani Al-Mulki's cabinet
The Prime Minister of Jordan, Hani Al-Mulki, was tasked with forming a cabinet on 29 May 2016. The new cabinet was sworn in by King Abdullah II on 1 June 2016. After the September 2016 general election, Mulki formed a new cabinet. The Cabinet co ...
. He was replaced in a cabinet reshuffle by
Adel Tweisi. Owais was subsequently appointed to the
Senate
A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...
.
Between 11 October 2021 and 26 October 2022 he served again as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Owais was awarded the "Commemorative Medal" by
Czech University of Agriculture Prague, a "Sculpture of Honor" by Czech University of Agriculture Prague in May, 2005, and an honorary degree "
Doctor of Science" from
New York Institute of Technology
The New York Institute of Technology (NYIT or New York Tech) is a private research university founded in 1955. It has two main campuses in New York—one in Old Westbury, on Long Island, and one in Manhattan. Additionally, it has a cybersecu ...
in 2005. Owais supervised 45
graduate students (M.Sc.) who all have graduated and he has published more than 34
research papers.
References
1947 births
Living people
Molecular biologists
University of Jordan alumni
American University of Beirut alumni
Washington State University alumni
Academic staff of Jordan University of Science and Technology
Academic staff of Yarmouk University
Washington State University faculty
Higher education ministers of Jordan
Members of the Senate of Jordan
Education ministers of Jordan
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